
Connecting the Community to Care for Seafarers
and the Spirit of the Maritime Industry

ITF & SMGG-at-the-IMC
Present
A Maritime Industry Stakeholder Knowledge and Advocacy Reception
International Seafarer Mental Health & Wellbeing
May 20, 2026 | 4-7 PM
International Maritime Center
Berth 40 Port of Oakland
4001 7th St
Oakland, CA 94607
4 pm - Registration, Refreshments and Reception
5:30 Presentation - Dr. Syed Asif Altaf Chowdhury, ITF Global Wellbeing Coordinator
The ITF and SMGG-at-the-IMC welcome Dr. Syed Asif Altaf Chowdhury, the ITF’s Global Wellbeing Coordinator, to the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Altaf’s compelling presentation describes the unique mental health challenges seafarers face, what is being done globally and what industry stakeholders and welfare organizations can do locally to address this growing issue of seafarer mental health.
Dr. Asif, based in London, travels the world hosting trainings on the ITF’s rapidly expanding wellbeing program, from signing landmark agreements with the governments of the Philippines and Indonesia, training alongside ITF affiliate unions in each country, to training trainers from 10 maritime universities across seven Black Sea countries.
This presentation is a part of the ITF West Coast USA’s Week of Solidarity with Seafarers and SMGG-at-the-IMC’s 80th Anniversary special events.
The Event is Free, but please register here to help us make arrangements.