This Tuesday marks the third-annual ‘Day of the Seafarer,’ an official United Nations observance day celebrating seafarers and the sacrifices they make in the name of world trade and development.
This year’s theme, “Faces of The Sea,” aims to raise awareness of seafarers and their unique and often overlooked role in the global economy.
To celebrate, the International Maritime Organization is launching a social media campaign calling on all supply chain partners, including those beyond the maritime sector, to help highlight the sheer diversity and scale of products used in everyday life that travel by sea, and to recognize the importance of the people that deliver them; more than 1.5 million seafarers.
In his annual Day of the Seafarer message, IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu said, “Seafarers operate on the ‘front line’ of the shipping industry, and this year’s campaign theme, Faces of the Sea, aims to highlight the individuals that are often unseen, but who work to deliver more than 90% of the world’s goods. We will ask the seafarers themselves to show us snapshots of their daily life at sea, to give them a voice and share their story on a global stage, via social media.”
Mr. Sekimizu noted that 2013 is a landmark year for the seafaring community, as the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) enters into force in August. The convention will provide comprehensive rights and protection at work for the world’s seafarers.
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu Day of the Seafarer message:
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also highlighted the Day of the Seafarer, with a special message urging everyone to remember the contribution of seafarers to world trade and development.
“On the Day of the Seafarer, I urge everyone to spare a thought for those courageous seafarers, men and women from all corners of the world, who face danger and tough working conditions to operate today’s complex, highly technical ships, every hour of every day of the year – and on whom we all depend,” he said.
Individuals and organizations:
Shipping companies, supply chain partners or retailers:
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Maersk has embarked on an ambitious program to retrofit approximately 200 vessels in its time-chartered fleet, collaborating with 50 different shipowners to improve fuel efficiency and increase cargo capacity while...
A 625-foot New York City jail barge moored on the East River in the South Bronx is finally set to head to the scrappers, two years after its last prisoners disembarked. The removal will open up valuable maritime property adjacent to the city’s wholesale food and beverage distribution centers and allow for construction of a new marine terminal serving those facilities.
Saudi shipping company Bahri plans to nearly double its fleet and expand its share of the country’s trade, as the Middle Eastern energy producer strengthens its economy by channeling more business through its national champions.
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
