It is known that over than 90% of world trade is carried by ship, while approximately 1.7 million seafarers work to facilitate the way we live, making sure we get everything we need in our daily lives.
In light of the above, BIMCO released a video, urging governments and decisionmakers world-wide to step up and support the seafarers behind world trade.
Like its predecessor, “Ships Make the World Go”, the aim of “Seafarers Deserve Support”, is for the film to be shared as widely as possible to help raise awareness.
“Never have we faced more urgency to make sure our seafarers are given the support they need and the fairness they deserve,”says BIMCO’s David Loosley.
The new film "Seafarers Deserve Support" aims to raise awareness of the crucial role that seafarers playhttps://t.co/TQ7vggLoxj pic.twitter.com/JGemLABlir— BIMCO (@BIMCONews) May 27, 2021
With the COVID-19 pandemic exposing a widespread lack of understanding about the crucial role of seafarers and with many countries fighting a third wave, the crew change crisis is far from over, BIMCO explains.
Seafarers deserve to go home safely after work. Governments need to recognise the important role that seafarers play in society. What if it all stopped? Seafarers Deserve Support.
In addition to the lack of action in finding solutions that will allow crew change – including seafarer vaccination programmes – seafarers are exposed to other safety issues that urgently require the attention and action of governments.
According to the video, globally, 135 crew were kidnapped from their vessels in 2020, with the Gulf or Guinea accounting for over 95%, a rise from 2019.
Never have we faced more urgency to make sure our seafarers are given the support they need and the fairness they deserve.
….BIMCO’s David Loosley concluded.
Overall, the film was produced by BIMCO, written and directed by Harry Hall.
