A groundbreaking initiative has been launched by the Seafarers’ Hospital Society (SHS) to address the often overlooked issue of female hygiene at sea. The UK-based maritime charity has introduced a pilot project aimed at providing free feminine hygiene products to women crew members on ships docking at various ports.

The project, which is being funded by a generous grant from The Seafarers’ Charity and the TK Foundation, will see the distribution of discreet kits containing essential feminine hygiene items to women seafarers in need. This initiative is a response to the research conducted by the Seafarers’ International Research Centre at Cardiff University, which shed light on the welfare needs of women working on cargo ships.

Sandra Welch, the CEO of SHS, emphasized the importance of addressing the subtle challenges faced by female seafarers, such as the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, which can significantly impact their ability to carry out their duties effectively. By launching this innovative project, SHS aims to raise awareness of this issue and pave the way for similar initiatives to be implemented at other ports across the UK.

The pilot project will initially focus on two key locations: the Port of Tilbury and the London International Cruise Terminal. At these ports, a total of 1,030 kits containing feminine hygiene products will be made available to women crew members. Additionally, women on cargo ships berthing at Tilbury will have access to sanitary products through the port chaplain, who will be working in collaboration with the QVSR London Tilbury Seafarer Centre to provide essential supplies.

Deborah Layde, the Chief Executive of The Seafarers’ Charity, highlighted the potential impact of this project on shipping companies, urging them to consider how they can better support their female crew members to enhance their well-being and ultimately attract more women to the maritime industry. Dennis Treleaven, the Maritime Program Officer at The TK Foundation, expressed delight in supporting an initiative that addresses the critical need for feminine hygiene products onboard vessels, especially during extended periods at sea.

The launch of this pilot project marks a significant step towards improving the working conditions and overall welfare of women in the maritime sector. By acknowledging and addressing the specific needs of female seafarers, this initiative aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment within the maritime industry, ultimately benefiting both the individual seafarers and the industry as a whole.