Seatrade-Maritime: OneCare prepares for prolonged Middle East disruption

OneCare Group has warned that risks to seafarers from the situation in the Middle East have increased significantly as crews suffer the consequences of prolonged disruption since since the conflict began at the end of February.

The health and wellbeing company said seafarers stranded on vessels stuck in the region face extended deployments, restricted movement, and growing concern over their personal safety and the wellbeing of their families at home.

While there have been some recent improvements in relations within the region, the situation remains changeable, especially for vessels caught in a back-and-forth over the ability to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

OneCare said it has responded to the situation by strengthening its support framework through expanding 24/7 telemedical assistance, intensifying welfare outreach, and performing structured wellbeing monitoring for crews remaining onboard beyond their standard contract periods. Support is also being offered to seafarers’ families.

Marinos Kokkinis, CEO of OneCare Group, said: “Our foremost priority is the safety and welfare of seafarers. What we are seeing now is not a short-term disruption, but a prolonged situation where crews are effectively isolated at sea under heightened threat conditions. This significantly increases both physical risk exposure and mental fatigue. Our role is to ensure that no seafarer feels unsupported during this period.”

Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS), a OneCare Group company, has increased the frequency of its proactive wellbeing check-ins and is providing immediate access to confidential counselling services for seafarers experiencing stress, anxiety, or fatigue. For those who have managed to leave the region, support is in place for repatriated crew to extend care beyond disembarkation.

MHSS said it had already identified and supported seafarers experiencing elevated stress levels directly linked to the ongoing war situation.

Mariana Charalambous, managing director of MHSS, said: “Extended periods at sea under uncertainty can have a cumulative psychological impact. Many seafarers are not only dealing with heightened war concerns, but also the emotional strain of prolonged separation and worry for their families. Early intervention and continuous access to professional support are essential to safeguarding long-term mental health.”

OneCare said it was working closely with onshore management teams to maintain clear, consistent communication with vessels, helping reduce uncertainty, and reinforce trust. The company is also collaborating with shipowners, operators and insurers to co-ordinate their response over the short and long term, it said.