On the Day of the Seafarer 2022, INTERCARGO thanks seafarers who have served selflessly during the pandemic, and those are still caught up amid the disruptions caused by the situation in Ukraine.
However, INTERCARGO notes that “with so much bad news currently in the press, it must be remembered that today there are more than 1.6 million seafarers working around the world enjoying varied and fulfilling careers, making the most of training opportunities, learning a trade, and providing for their families.”
Of these, the bulk carrier sector accounts for more than 350,000 seafarers annually crewing more than 12,000 vessels.
These men and women make up the heart of our community. Their ships are key movers of global trade, powering the global economy and transporting essential cargoes such as food, essential raw materials, and global energy supply
As INTERCARGO, these seafarers “today they are at sea, but tomorrow they will be the marine engineers, insurance correspondents, maritime lawyers, marine surveyors, citizens and mentors of the future, providing the bedrock of the shipping industry’s support services.”
They will bring with them a raft of unique experiences, adding the depth and colour that is a characteristic of the very special industry that we work within
In the same wavelength, InterManager noted that seafaring is a rewarding career which offers a lifetime of opportunities and can create strong friendships, but the shipping industry needs to embrace change and improve its safety record in order to fully support its people.
InterManager also joined the IMO in urging seafarers to share their stories online, using the hashtag #seafarerjourney, to enable the whole maritime community to celebrate seafarer journeys together.
