Seafarers are routinely exposed to hazardous substances and biological risks while handling fuels, chemicals, cargo residues, cleaning agents and other harmful substances, often in confined or poorly ventilated environments. Without adequate controls, this can lead to acute illness, long-term health conditions, safety incidents – and deaths.
The shift to alternative fuels introduces new hazards – for example, the toxicity of ammonia and the high flammability of methanol. In 2025, the ITF – as part of the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, alongside the International Chamber of Shipping and the United Nations Global Compact – released industry-first training frameworks for seafarers working on ships powered by ammonia, methanol and hydrogen.
The Maritime Labour Convention establishes requirements for safe working environments, including access to protective equipment and medical care, but enforcement is inconsistent and often lacking under FOCs and fragmented supply chains. Seafarers are left more vulnerable by a lack of adequate training, personal protective equipment – including gender-appropriate equipment – and information about the substances they are handling.
Biological risks and communicable diseases are also significant concerns. Seafarers operate across multiple jurisdictions and interact with port workers, passengers and crew from many regions, increasing exposure to infectious diseases. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the severity of this, where many seafarers were denied or faced limited access to healthcare, shore leave and repatriation.