International Day of the Seafarer

   The International Day of the Seafarer provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers for the unique and all-too-often overlooked contribution to the well-being of the general public.   

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Join the campaign: Share safety tips and experiences.

To raise awareness about the safety of seafarers, an IMO social media campaign has been launched, focusing on safety at sea. 

Seafarers are invited to share photos and top tips for safety at sea, using the hashtag, #SafetyTipsAtSea on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram.

Organizations, shipping companies and anyone in the wider maritime community and public are also invited to show support for seafarers by joining the conversation with the hashtag.

Ms. KC Abigail Chin-Sood, a seafarer from the Philippines, shared her tips for women in the sector: “Safety at sea involves not only adhering to the highest standards of work safety but also, for women, establishing and maintaining clear boundaries with male colleagues. Preserving your dignity on board is crucial for ensuring your personal safety. By maintaining professionalism and setting boundaries, you can protect yourself from potential scandals and preserve your mental well-being, contributing to a safer and more positive experience on the ship.”

Mr. Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis, also from the Philippines, added: “Communication is key onboard ships.  Whether it be anchoring, pilot boarding, or mooring, the officers need keen situational awareness to ensure that things are running safely... But effective shipboard communication is not only limited to those.  Is a crewmate feeling down, homesick, or anxious? Is abruptly agitated or constantly isolated? Has their performance drastically plummeted?  Tactful communication plays an instrumental role in seafarers' psychological safety.”

Follow the conversation using #SafetyTipsAtSea or #DayOfTheSeafarer

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Honouring seafarers who have lost their lives in the Red Sea

More about the Day of the Seafarer 2024 

Day of the Seafarer spotlights safety at sea

Celebrating seafarers worldwide on 25 June: International Day of the Seafarer

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Attacks against international shipping can never be justified. 

Since November 2023, innocent seafarers have been targeted in ongoing attacks on ships traveling through the Red Sea, stemming from geopolitical tensions. Too many attacks have been launched, damaging or sinking vessels, and resulting in at least four deaths, with many others injured.

IMO calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew, held for more than eight months. 

IMO Secretary-General Dominguez said: “On this Day of the Seafarer, let us remember those who have lost their lives while simply doing their jobs, serving on these ships. Their dedication and sacrifice must not be overlooked. Attacks on the innocent can never be justified, and I will continue to advocate incessantly for the safety and well-being of seafarers.”  

(See: Honouring seafarers who have lost their lives in attacks on ships in the Red Sea) 

2024 International Day of the Seafarer

On this Day of the Seafarer, we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving on ships attacked in the Red Sea.

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Your top tips for safety at sea.

On the International Day of the Seafarer, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez pays tribute to the 2 million seafarers who keep global markets functioning and supply chains going.

In a video message to seafarers, Mr. Dominguez said: “Seafarers have been sorely tested in recent years – facing hostile acts from piracy or in conflict zones. I humbly acknowledge seafarers’ resilience and sacrifice in the name of work.”  

Without seafarers there would be no shipping. And shipping is a lifeline for global trade. 

United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres marked the day, saying: “Seafarers are vital in ensuring a seamless flow of essential goods that eventually make it into markets, homes, and onto our tables... But their own lives have been put on the line in the face of grave threats. Let us together salute them for their essential work and support their safety.” (Read UNSG’s full statement)

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Celebrating seafarers worldwide.

The June 25th, International Day of the Seafarer 2024 observance spotlights safety at sea.

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Paying tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving on ships attacked in the Red Sea.

On this Day of the Seafarer, we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives while serving on ships attacked in the Red Sea.

Attacks against international shipping can never be justified. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those deceased. 

• MV True Confidence – Three lives lost

• MV Tutor – One life lost

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A new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to take forward the ‘spirit of cooperation’ that marked the shipping industry’s joint efforts throughout the pandemic.

ITF, ICS and the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC), have come together to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to take forward the ‘spirit of cooperation’ that marked the shipping industry’s joint efforts throughout the pandemic.

Shipping industry, unions come together to support seafarers - SAFETY4SEA

ITF, ICS and IMEC signed an MoU to support seafarers and take forward the ‘spirit of cooperation’ in shipping.

The MOU is the beginning of a process of deepening dialogue, with the signatory organisations hopeful that more partners would join the common cause in months and years to come.

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What is the situation regarding access to medical care for seafarers?

Seafarers have been the unsung heroes of this pandemic, as the world relies on them to transport more than 80% of trade by volume, including vital food and medical goods, energy and raw materials, as well as manufactured goods across the globe. They have also been collateral victims of the crisis, as travel restrictions have left tens of thousands of them stranded on ships, or unable to join ships.

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Connection with trade union is crucial for seafarers.

Connection with trade union is crucial for seafarers - Seafarers Union of Russia

The International Seamen's Club in Nakhodka, hosted a presentation of the new book "Escape from Busan" by journalist Leonid Vinogradov, who has worked as an ITAR-TASS correspondent for a long time. The event was attended not only by representatives of the Far East Territorial Organization of the SUR, but also by the first readers of the book – the seafarers. The book has been published with 500 copies and tells about the events that were happening during past few years with the involvement of seafarers from Nakhodka who were working on board  several vessels under different flags. The author himself admitted that the work on the book was for him an immersion in the past, when he himself worked in sea.

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Record for number of seafarer abandonment in 2022.

Shameful record for seafarer abandonment in 2022

74 cases of seafarer abandonment by companies on ships around the world have been reported in the first half of 2022..

A joint database on the abandonment of seafarers maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) has received reports of 74 cases of companies abandoning their seafarers on ships around the world..

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What remains at the heart of seafarers’ reality?

Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges. For 2022, the campaign of the Day of the Seafarers, with the theme 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’, look at seafarer voyages, what it includes and how has it evolved over time and what remains at the heart of seafarers’ reality.

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Developing standards and regulations for maritime communications services and technologies.

ITU has a longstanding history of developing standards & regulations for maritime communications services and technologies, which are essential for ensuring safety and security at sea

ITU's maritime journey: Then and now - ITU/ UN tech agency

On the Day of the Seafarer, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director Mario Maniewicz looks back at ITU’s longstanding history of developing st

IMOHQ

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Draw global attention to how the onboard working environment continues to change

The Day of the Seafarer provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the world's 1.5 million seafarers for the unique and all-too-often overlooked contribution to the well-being of the general public, and we would like to do it using as many social media networks as possible.

By generating interaction on the web about seafarers, we want to show respect, recognition and gratitude to seafarers everywhere. The universal outreach of social media will raise awareness of the vital role that seafarers play in the world economy and, in many respects, in sustainable development, enabling ships to carry than 90% of world trade safely, efficiently and with minimal impact on the environment.

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This year’s theme — “Your Voyage, Then and Now” — is an opportunity to recognize the vital role seafarers play, and look to the future.

"Above all, this means listening to seafarers themselves. They know better than anyone their needs and what this industry needs to do to address key challenges. This includes the expansion of social protection, better working conditions, addressing the crew-change crisis, adopting new digital tools to enhance safety and efficiency, and making this industry greener and more sustainable," he continued.

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Support Low Carbon Shipping.

Join the #decarbonization champions: - maritime companies are invited to be part of IMO's Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping.

The IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 Project aims to support shipping’s transition towards a low carbon future.

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Draw attention to the contribution that seafarers make to shipping and world trade.

As in previous years, the 2022 Day of the Seafarer event will predominantly be held on social media to draw attention to the contribution that seafarers make to shipping and world trade

Will you be participating in this year's #DayOfTheSeafarer on Saturday, 25 June, 2022? You can find resources for this year's Day of the Seafarer 2022 campaign here on Trello board. We can't wait to see where your #SeafarerJourney has taken you.

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Actions for seafearers.

Seafarers are invited to post two photos using the hashtags: one of their first voyage and another of their most recent voyage. We would also like to know what has changed during your maritime voyage.

Is shipping greener? Is the technology better? Are you more skilled? What have you learnt?

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Actions for Supportive organizations, shipping companies and port organization

Supportive organizations, shipping companies and port organizations are also invited to show their appreciation for seafarers by resharing their posts or using the hashtags #SaferJourney and discussing the importance of seafarer journeys.