In an industry focused on automation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation, the human element – specifically seafarer wellbeing – is often sidelined. It is time to shift this narrative as the 1.9 million seafarers driving global trade deserve as much attention as the vessels they operate, starting with access to fresh, nutritious food. One solution to consider is using new technology for onboard food production.
Advances in onboard food production, like self-sustaining autonomous growing solutions, address this challenge by transforming vessels into thriving ecosystems capable of producing fresh, high-quality vegetables anywhere in the world.
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Requiring only water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, ‘plug and play’ solutions like Agwa’s onboard growing systems leverage sophisticated AI and machine learning to ensure optimal plant growth in any maritime environment.
Onboard food production
The technology integrates three main data streams – image analysis, sensory data, and consumer behaviour insights – processed by a Virtual Agronomist to create tailored growth plans for each plant. This ensures consistent vegetable supply, regardless of route changes, port restrictions, or adverse weather conditions.
Paired with an intuitive app that provides real-time updates, harvest notifications, and monthly pod selections, crew members can easily engage with and benefit from the technology without requiring agricultural expertise or training. Looking ahead, this technology offers a unique opportunity for skill development, and exposure to advanced AI and IoT systems will equip crew members with new competencies aligned with shipping’s digital future.
By enabling onboard food production, vessels reduce their reliance on external supply chains, cutting transportation emissions and packaging waste, while aligning with maritime decarbonisation goals. Importantly, these improvements come without increasing operational costs. Ship operators pay no more for vegetables grown onboard than for traditional provisions but gain far more value in terms of crew satisfaction, retention, and sustainability.
By enabling onboard food production, vessels reduce their reliance on external supply chains.
For example, by elevating the nutritional value of onboard meals, seafarers’ cognitive abilities, such as focus, alertness, and decision-making, are enhanced. In an environment where operational excellence and safety are non-negotiable, improved nutrition can lead to fewer stress-related errors and better teamwork, boosting overall performance.
Research highlighting the role of nutrition in physical and mental health is well established, and the benefits of having access to fresh, self-grown produce can have a profound impact on crew wellbeing.
For some, the presence of living plants onboard alleviates the psychological challenges of long voyages by providing a vital connection to nature. For others, the process of tending to and harvesting vegetables fosters a sense of purpose and community, creating opportunities for shared experiences that strengthen social bonds.
Reducing reliance on frozen food
The maritime food supply chain’s reliance on frozen and preserved products often fails to meet modern nutritional standards or the variety expected by younger generations entering the industry. Extended voyages and disrupted supply chains turn what should be a simple necessity into a challenge with far-reaching consequences.
Limited access to fresh food can amplify feelings of isolation and reduce morale, while the monotony of preserved diets serves as a daily reminder of the sacrifices required by a maritime career, exacerbating recruitment and retention challenges in an already strained labour market.
Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, effective from December 2024, acknowledge nutrition as a right for every seafarer, emphasising the importance of providing fresh, balanced, and culturally appropriate meals. Bridging the gap between compliance and meaningful change requires innovative solutions to ensure fresh nutrition at sea becomes the standard, not the exception.
The onboard growing revolution is as much about sustainability as it is about wellbeing. This dual benefit exemplifies the industry’s potential to balance people, planet, and profit. Early adopters of Agwa’s technology – including Maersk, Synergy Marine, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Capital Shipping, Anglo Eastern and others – are already experiencing these advantages, demonstrating the value of investing in crew welfare.
Enhancing crew welfare
Traditional approaches to crew welfare often treat wellbeing as a cost centre rather than a strategic investment. The advent of onboard growing systems challenges this mindset, showing that investments in crew welfare can yield substantial returns including enhanced morale, improved safety, and operational efficiencies. These gains are not only nice to have but are central to creating a resilient, thriving maritime workforce.
Nutrition is not a luxury; it is the cornerstone of health, morale, and operational success. And onboard growing systems like Agwa’s make it possible to meet these needs sustainably and cost-effectively, democratising access to fresh vegetables at sea.
The future of maritime crew welfare lies in holistic solutions.
Going beyond compliance, the future of maritime crew welfare lies in holistic solutions that address multiple challenges simultaneously.
By investing in technologies that improve nutrition, enhance quality of life, and create opportunities for engagement and skill development, shipping companies can create a more resilient and attractive maritime profession. This isn’t just about meeting basic needs – it’s about creating an environment where seafarers can thrive personally and professionally.
Agwa is spearheading a fresh revolution at sea, and together, we can redefine the future of crew welfare – one vessel, one meal, one fresh vegetable at a time.
