The modern maritime industry is undergoing significant changes due to increasing of flow of transportations of bulk cargo in containers, increasing of share of regular voyages and tightening of requirements of safety of navigation. The line shipping is characterized by constancy of routes and strict compliance of schedule in conditions of higher intensity of ship flows and complicated work conditions. The invariable work in such conditions results in psycho-physiological disorders, chronic stress, emotional burnout, development of cardiovascular pathology and neurological and mental disorders. Hence, augmented risk of deterioration of health of crew members, reduced performance efficiency, increased likelihood of mis-actions of navigator and increased possibility of emergency conditions at the sea. In order to develop recommendations to maintain health of crew members and to increase safety of navigation, the article presents results of survey of command staff of container fleet. The analysis permitted to identify corresponding key problems and to formulate recommendations to eliminate them. The legal field regulating organization of medical examination and issues of admission to professional activities of sailors was analyzed. The differences in approaches to assessment of psycho-physiological state in different countries were identified.

line shipping, human factor, navigation safety, accident rate, biological characteristics, psycho-physiological disorders, chronic diseases, ergatic system.