In conjunction with the ‘Day of Seafarer 2018’, Jurong Port (JP), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), PSA, the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) jointly presented 600 gift hampers to ships calling at Singapore. The hampers, containing essential daily items, were estimated to reach about 9,000 seafarers ‘as an appreciation for their contributions to the maritime industry and global economy’.
MPA also contributes a sum of $150,000 annually to support the work of various seafarers’ missions to look out for seafarers’ welfare when they call at Singapore’s shores.
The grant will be distributed to the Apostleship of the Sea, the Danish Seamen’s Church, the International Lutheran Seafarers’ Mission, the Mission to Seafarers Singapore, and the Norwegian Seamen’s Church. The annual grant supports a wide range of welfare services for seafarers, ranging from ship visitations to counselling services and pastoral care at the mission centres.
As of 25 June 2018, the SOS is also running a trial for an on-demand shuttle bus service for seafarers working onboard ships berthed at the Pasir Panjang Terminal.
The service will shuttle seafarers between designated bus stops in Pasir Panjang Terminal and the drop-off point at Pasir Panjang Terminal Building 1 (PPTB1) where SOS’s Seacare Drop-in Centre for International Seafarers is located. This is an additional option for seafarers, on top of the scheduled bus service.
The on-demand service operates between 2pm and 10pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays) and seafarers can call +65 6778 6518 to reserve a seat.
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of MPA, said:
Seafarers play an important role in transporting 90% of the world’s goods. Yet, not many people know the sacrifices they make such as being away from their family. Singapore is committed to address the well-being of seafarers. Over the years, we have put in place various facilities, welfare programmes and year-round recreational activities to ensure seafarers that call at our port are well taken care of.
