The UK’s Princess Royal has paid tribute to the hard work and bravery of seafarers, and the “selfless commitment” of the Mission to Seafarers in helping ships’ crews worldwide.

Princess Anne, who has a long-established interest in maritime affairs and is president of the Mission to Seafarers, was speaking during a private audience with leading shipping figures in the boardroom of the Baltic Exchange in London.

On a mission: (From left) Lunch guests David Ellis, Chris Adams, Clive Weston, James Kidwell, Henry Liddell, George Cowan, Sabrina Chao, Reverend Andrew Wright, Efthymios Mitropoulos, Ed Pickard, Jan Webber, Michael Everard, Graham Westgarth, Craig Neame, Reverend Stephen Miller, Frank Coles, Andi Case, Sam Swire, Matt Dunlop, Ben Bailey, Chris Bailey, Hugo Wynn-Williams and Grahaeme Henderson Photo: Mission to Seafarers

Discussion among the guests — who included Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings chairman Sabrina Chao, Shell shipping boss Grahaeme Henderson and Clarksons chief executive Andi Case — touched some of the most serious issues faced by crews, including the high incidence of depression, mental illness and suicide.

Reverend Andrew Wright, secretary general of the Mission to Seafarers, said after the event: "As we continue to develop new services across the globe in response to the needs of seafarers and their families, it is essential that we work together with the leading figures of the industry to build a stronger and more structured support network.”