Mental health expert Charles Watkins has reminded shipping and the wider world that there are human beings at the centre of the Suez Canal crisis.

The Indian crew of 25 has remained on board Evergreen's giant 20,388-teu boxship Ever Given (built 2018) since the grounding in the canal on Tuesday.

"It’s very clear to me that the crew and especially the captain is in a unique place," said Watkins, managing director of seafarer support company Mental Health Support Services (MHSS).