MOTIVATION AND MOTIVATIONAL PROCESSES IN MARITIME

Abstract

This paper examines classical concepts of work motivation with an emphasis on how the specific operational and organizational context of the maritime profession shapes motivational dynamics among seafarers. Given that effective management of maritime human resources is essential for improving operational productivity and financial performance, crew motivation occupies a central position in the overall success of shipping companies and maritime organisations. The seafaring profession is highly specialized, operationally demanding, stressful, and inherently risky, making it difficult to compare with any land-based occupation. Owing to these distinct professional layers, motivational processes for seafarers must be adapted to the realities of shipboard life and the operational environment at sea. Seafarer motivation encompasses a complex interplay of extrinsic motivators (e.g., remuneration packages that enable the attainment of significant economic and personal outcomes) and intrinsic motivators (e.g., satisfaction derived from successfully performing shipboard duties and operational tasks). Research conducted on Croatian maritime cohorts confirms that key factors influencing career choice include a strong interest in the dynamic nature and operational challenges of seafaring (intrinsic motives), as well as salary levels, employment opportunities in the global maritime labour market, and traditional maritime heritage (extrinsic motives). Despite positive regulatory developments, such as the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006), professional challenges remain substantial: prolonged separation from family, monotony and boredom during long voyages, enforced cohabitation with crewmembers, and the impossibility of temporarily removing oneself from the vessel’s confined environment. Additional complications arise from reduced crew complements, the multicultural composition of shipboard personnel, communication barriers, and high turnover rates within the maritime workforce. Recommendations for enhancing seafarer motivation include the implementation of tailored stress-mitigation programmes, strengthening psychological resilience, and developing critical-thinking skills to improve communication, interpersonal relations, and overall motivational levels on board.