The world’s seaborne trade accounts for around 90% of the global trade..
Without shipping, there would be no global trade and the world would not be as close as it is now or as small as it is now in terms of movement of goods from one place to the other..
Over the years the seaborne trade has grown exponentially bringing along with it many benefits for businesses, consumers and the economies of the world..
As of 2016, the world fleet (number of registered commercial ships over 100 tons DWT – Dead Weight Tonnage) stood at
- Ships = 49,223 ships
- DWTÂ (Dead Weight Tonnage) =Â 1,791,584,400Â tons (that’s One Billion, Seven Hundred Ninety-one Million, Five Hundred Eighty-four Thousand, Four Hundred tons if you have to write in words)
Take a moment and let these numbers sink in..
The people that are responsible for maintaining, running and operating the above mentioned ships and tonnage are SEAFARERS..
As per Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the world fleet provides approximately 1,545,000 jobs for seafarers in international shipping..
Seafarers leave their homes and families, often for long periods to ensure that the essential items and commodities on which our lives depend, arrive safely at our homes..
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Every year on the 25th of June the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates DAY OF THE SEAFARER (DotS as it has come to be known) to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole and to let the world know how and why #SeafarersMatter and are indispensable to everyone..
DotS as it has come to be known, was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila..
On this day, the IMO requests everyone (whether you are involved in the industry or not) to harness the power of social media to
- raise awareness of seafarers
- recognize the unique role they play and
- highlight just how important seafarers are to everyone on the planetas they transport all over the world those vital items, commodities and components which are so vital to all our daily lives
Anyone, regardless of where you live, can join the campaign online and assist in promoting this cause..
This year 2017, IMO has announced the theme of DotS to be “Seafarers Matter” and everyone can use the #SeafarersMatter to promote this day..
What I am missing in my blog though is an article or discussion written by or contributed by a seafarer..
So this year as part of promoting this awareness campaign on seafarers, I have a request to any of the seafarers (active or retired) reading this (or any of my readers who knows a seafarer)..
I want a seafarer who can write an article as to what “A day in the life of a seafarer” entails, the challenges that a seafarer goes through, how they handle it, how their job inspires them, any interesting stories they wish to share, (am sure they have many) and any other useful tips to new seafarers..
I will post that article/story on my blog on the DotS (25th of June 2017) to honour the occasion..
For DotS 2017, IMO unveiled a great new logo which eliminates gender discrimination and promotes #genderequality.. If you look carefully you can make out both male and female seafarers in this image.. 🙂
While you are here you can also watch the video of the DotS 2017 announcement, the official video message by Mr.Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary-General and also view IMO’s virtual wall..
Virtual Wall
​Click here or on the image above to reach the IMO’s photo wall
IMO will also be creating an interactive world map which will feature the best port and seafarer centers from around the world..
Looking forward to hearing from the seafarers because #SeafarersMatter..
Great article , I’d love to participate
Hi Ibrahim, sure, you can send me your article to info@shippingandfreightresource.com..
Hi Hariesh, I would love to write an article on this topic. I already have one describing the day of a captain at sea which was published in my company’s newsletter a couple of years ago..I could forward that to you.
Thank you Hariesh for another interesting article. Of course #Seafarersmatter!
Where would the world be without the seaborne trade?