Research

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Everything IMWIRSA builds starts from evidence, not assumption. This is where that evidence lives.

Evidence-Based Approach

Research Overview

IMWIRSA works from a simple principle: decisions about seafarer welfare should rest on verifiable evidence and real seafarer needs — not on established practice or individual opinion alone.

We collect our own data, review independent academic and institutional research, cross-check it against port-level practice, and translate the findings into concrete recommendations and solutions. That forms a consistent chain: data → analysis → practical solution → verification → improvement.

Every MWApp feature, every step in port welfare infrastructure, and every IMWIRSA recommendation should have a clear rationale: what problem it solves, what evidence it rests on, and what practical outcome it's expected to deliver.

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Independent studies

Real evidence from the maritime environment. Seafarer surveys, observations and structured data collection surface real needs, barriers and the differences between ports. This evidence lets us check whether a proposed solution actually matches a seafarer's day-to-day experience.

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Curated external research

Academic knowledge and industry data. IMWIRSA tracks and analyses academic publications, research from international organisations, and industry reports on seafarer welfare. We cross-check findings across sources and assess how well they apply to today's port environment.

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Practical translation

From evidence to working solutions. Research earns its keep when the findings can be put into practice. The evidence we gather feeds directly into MWApp, Port Cards, welfare infrastructure and IMWIRSA's recommendations — then gets checked and refined as solutions are used.

Our Approach

From data and research to practical solutions — a transparent process where every decision has a rationale, gets tested in practice, and keeps improving.

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1. Data
Collect and compare. Seafarer surveys and port-level data are checked against independent research and industry sources.
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2. Analysis
From data to understanding. We cross-check sources to surface recurring problems, real seafarer needs, and the differences between ports.
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3. Practical Solution
From understanding to action. The analysis turns into concrete recommendations, welfare approaches and solutions ready to apply.
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4. Application
Putting solutions into practice. Well-grounded solutions are implemented through MWApp, Port Cards, IMWIRSA projects and other practical tools.
5. Verification
Measuring the real outcome. Feedback, observations and new data help check whether the solution actually meets seafarers' real needs.
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6. Improvement
Building on what works. Verification results feed back into refining solutions, developing tools, and continuously improving the welfare model.
Institutional Landscape

Who We Track

IMWIRSA builds its work on the ongoing efforts of the major bodies that regulate, fund and deliver seafarer welfare worldwide — not on any single publication.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The UN specialized agency setting global shipping safety and regulatory standards, including oversight tied to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006).
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International Labour Organization (ILO)
The UN agency that authored and maintains the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), the legal foundation of seafarers' working conditions.
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International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network
The largest international seafarer welfare network — the 24/7 SeafarerHelp line, emergency relief funds and its own welfare research.
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International Christian Maritime Association
A federation of chaplaincy and port welfare organisations — over 500 seafarers' centres and 900 chaplains worldwide.
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World Maritime University
A postgraduate university founded by IMO, training industry leaders and producing maritime and seafarer welfare research.
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International Chamber of Shipping
The global trade association for shipowners, representing around 80% of the world's merchant fleet in dialogue with IMO and regulators.
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Sailors' Society
A 200-year-old maritime welfare charity: a helpline, crisis response, chaplaincy and wellness programmes for seafarers.
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Full Document

White Paper (full version)

"The Future of Seafarer Welfare and Shore Support to 2040" — the complete strategic document, including all 10 challenges to 2040 and the full set of modernisation recommendations.

Inside the document

  • About the initiator (IMWIRSA)
  • Introduction — the world the seafarer lives in today
  • Chapter 1 — why the old SBOM model is no longer enough
  • Chapter 2 — 10 challenges that will reshape seafarer welfare to 2040
  • Chapter 3 — practical directions: centres, people support, digital infrastructure
  • Chapter 4 — the ecosystem of seafarer welfare, tomorrow
  • Chapter 5 — the seafarers' centre of tomorrow
  • Chapter 6 — MWApp
  • Roadmap — three implementation stages, 2026 to 2040
  • General conclusion
Read the online summary →
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Download the PDF

The full White Paper is available as a downloadable PDF for partners, researchers and press. Contact us and we'll send the current version.

Request the White Paper →