Collaboration at the workplace or workspace today is one of the most vital aspects as it can determine efficiency and productivity. However, collaboration is often misinterpreted as teamwork, but both are very different. Teamwork is when a group of individuals works towards a common goal, but collaboration is when the output is enhanced as a result of all the different sets of skills and mindsets coming together. Collaboration is a much broader aspect of not just achieving success, but enhancing it.

Inmarsat is ramping up its response to COVID-19 with additional initiatives to improve seafarer wellbeing. These initiatives include further collaboration with ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network) and maritime charities, the launch of a new chatcard and the wider roll-out of a COVID-19 video telemedicine call service.

FrontM, a collaboration software provider to the maritime and aviation industries, has collaborated with Inmarsat and maritime medical operations and healthcare solutions provider, VIKAND, to provide seafarers with immediate access to a COVID-19 healthcare hotline. This service will deliver frontline medical information to the shipping industries and seafaring workforce at a time when they need it the most.

In a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on seafarer well-being, Inmarsat has formalised a sweeping 50 per cent discount for crew voice calling services available for up to 40,000 ships for three months until the end of June.