Entries Arrive for Photo Contest 2026

The V. Photography Competition for 2026 has started to receive some great images from across the V. community of seafarers.

Capt. Nugroho, currently onboard the FSO. Pertamina Abherka, sent us this great image titled, “Working in unity, across cultures, to achieve a common goal.”

Bearing witness to seafarers’ lives onboard can inspire and capture our imagination on life working away from home, on our oceans or the variety of ports around the globe visited.

We receive many images of the sunsets and seascapes that are the backdrop to your daily lives, however this year’s contest focusses on our three key themes of Culture and Community, Safety and the Environment, or Innovation and Learning.

• Culture and Community – Capturing life and interactions onboard of friendship, humour, teamwork, collaboration, recreation, multicultural celebrations
• Safety and the Environment – safe working practices, marine life, clean protected waters, good seamanship in practice, drills, spill prevention, etc.
• Innovation and Learning– the future of maritime, digitisation, new technology, smart ports and terminals, cadets, mentoring, etc.

The 2026 photography competition is open to both seafarers and onshore staff.

Safety and wellbeing are paramount so any images that are not compliant with V.Group policies and procedures cannot be shortlisted.

The winning picture from each category will receive a travel voucher to the value of USD 250, to be used on tickets purchased from Global Marine Travel (GMT).

All shortlisted pictures that meet our safety guidelines will be posted on our social channels.

A judging panel of colleagues across V.Group will decide the winner in each category.

The winner will be announced in Q2 2026.

Entries should be sent to v.photos@v.group by 31 March 2026.

India's Republic Day Celebrated at Sea & CSR Activities Ashore

Our Indian colleagues celebrated Republic Day in January with some nice images shared from M.V. AM PURPOSE.

Cultural and national events are opportunities to share, recognise, and respect seafarers of different nationalities and cultures. It is a strong reminder that the sea knows no borders and our crews frequently share these moments together.

Unity, respect, and teamwork always sail stronger than differences. Seafarers are proud to be part of our diverse global maritime community.

Let’s READ Carnival – Volunteering by V. Mumbai Colleagues

Over January the shore team in Mumbai participated in the Let’s READ Carnival organised by United Way, an NGO dedicated to empowering children through education. The event focused on nurturing a love for reading among children from marginalized communities.

Colleagues from our V. Mumbai office came together to support this meaningful cause as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, volunteering their time and energy. Their enthusiastic participation helped create an engaging, fun, and inspiring learning environment for the children. From storytelling sessions to interactive learning activities, our volunteers played a key role in making the day memorable and impactful.

Here are some heartwarming glimpses of our team at the Let’s READ Carnival—spreading smiles and fostering the joy of reading.

V.Care Voyage of the Month: Social Interaction DOES matter

The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has published Phase Three of its Social Interaction Matters (SIM) Project, presenting foundational research into the role of social interaction in shaping seafarers’ wellbeing across commercial shipping, cruise ships, and superyachts.

This landmark cross-industry research found that focused attention to social life on board, including having an appointed Social Ambassador from within the crew, enhanced morale, reduced stress and strengthened team cohesion. These factors are contributors to safer journeys, healthier crews, and an overall more inclusive on-board culture.

Two V. Ships managed vessels from the International Seaways Fleet took part in the research,  representing the commercial maritime sector, alongside vessels from Cruise and Superyacht sectors.

The report highlights the critical role social interaction plays in supporting health, resilience, and a sense of belonging at sea, while also exploring the impact that persistent barriers such as fatigue, long working hours, and operational pressures have on individual wellbeing and the broader onboard culture. Experiences of social interaction were found to vary across vessel types, ranks, gender identity, and working environments, underlining the need for tailored, vessel-specific approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Read more on the ISWAN’s website below:

Bring Your Sea Experience Ashore - Your Next Step Starts Here!

Are you currently sailing with V. and considering a move ashore to join out support teams?

We’re inviting our own talented seafarers to apply for future shore-based career opportunities across our global offices.

Your knowledge of life at sea is invaluable and we believe it belongs at the heart of our shore-based operations.

Whether you're passionate about vessel management, crew support, safety compliance, or training, your next role might be waiting just ashore.

The Ship to Shore Programme is designed to support and encourage V. seafarers who are ready to transition into shore-based careers.

Your sea experience is your strength — let’s bring it ashore!

If you’re passionate about continuing your maritime journey from a different vantage point, one where your expertise helps manage fleets, support operations, or train future seafarers, we invite you to apply.

We’re continuously looking to match sea-going talent with onshore roles.

Submit your profile below, and we’ll reach out when the right opportunity comes along.

Continuous Learning Library

Within HSSEQ, a video library has been developed and populated with a range of topics related to our company and industry. Within the library you can find topics in relation to:

• Incident reviews
• CI learnings
• Safety Catch of the Month winners
• Educational topics – the IMO Codes and Conventions Series
• CI Information
• PSC
• Training – Control of Work
• Coaching

The list goes on and the topics being developed are increasing. These short bite size videos, based on real life incidents and brought to life using AI software. These videos can be used onboard our vessels directly from the Vimeo channel.

Stay tuned for 2026 as more features will be developed and available.

Oceanic Healthy Corner: Healthy Habits to Carry Forward

Each month Oceanic shares some top tips on staying healthy onboard and as we step into the New Year, many of us set resolutions that inspire positive change. Building and maintaining healthy habits becomes the key to making lifestyle changes truly sustainable. These habits do not just support long-term wellbeing, but they also boost your daily energy, enhance productivity, and help you stay resilient especially while on board.

• Consistent Hydration
  • Drink at least 8-10 glasses (1.5–2L) of water daily.
  • Carry a reusable water bottle to remind yourself to hydrate regularly.

• Balanced Nutrition
  • Consume nutritious and well-balanced meals to reach your health goals properly.
  • Focus on the quality and quantity of your meal.

• Prioritize Physical Activity
  • Set aside dedicated time each day, if possible, for physical activity. Consistency is key to forming healthy habits.
  • Incorporate onboard-friendly exercises such as resistance bands, push-ups, or stair climbing.
  • Stretch daily to relieve tension and improve mobility, especially after long work hours.

• Set SMART Goals
  • Set achievable goals tailored to your physical condition. Whether aiming to improve cardiovascular endurance, increase strength, or enhance flexibility, setting realistic goals provides motivation and a sense of accomplishment

• Listen to your Body
  • Pay attention to signs of fatigue or overexertion and adjust your day accordingly.
  • Allow for adequate rest and recovery to prevent health issues and promote overall wellbeing whenever possible.

• Prioritize Sleep
  • Develop a pre-sleep routine such as reading, stretching, avoiding screens to signal your body it is time to wind down.
  • Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even during shift rotations, to regulate your internal body clock.

• Mental Wellbeing Practices
  • Schedule time for mindfulness or meditation throughout the day to reduce stress.
  • Engage with the fellow crew to build social connections and foster a supportive environment.
  • Keep a journal to process emotions, track progress, or simply reflect on the day.

Simple Tips for Staying Consistent!

• Begin with minor changes, such as drinking one extra glass of water
• daily or adding one workout session a week.
• Use a notebook or app to monitor your meals, exercise, and hydration
• Celebrate small victories, such as sticking to an exercise routine for a
• Share goals with the fellow crew or family member to stay motivated