Seafarers: At the core of shipping's future

Seafarers: At the core of shipping's future
Ambassador Carlos Salinas September 29, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/09/29/business/maritime/seafarers-at-th...

Let me begin by commending two Filipino seafarers who were recently conferred with "Exceptional Bravery at Sea" awards through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). They are Capt. Melvin Villanueva of MV FLEUR N and Second Officer Lacruser Relativo of MV ANGELES.

MARINA, in announcing the winners, said that "The online search for the ten Exceptional Bravery at Sea Awardees was established to acknowledge the effort of seafarers who, at the risk of losing their own life, displayed outstanding courage by attempting to save the lives of others or prevent further damage to the marine environment."

Villanueva was nominated by the KJCM Maritime Corporation for his "professionalism and leadership" while commanding the search and rescue operations for 86 refugees that were found drifting in the Mediterranean Sea.

Capt. Villanueva shared the honor with his fellow officers and crew members, without whose help the search and rescue effort would not have been possible.

Meanwhile, Second Officer Relativo was nominated by the PTC Group of Companies after he saved the life of Stuart Bee who was adrift at sea for two days with his boat "almost capsized," a situation which many individuals find themselves in as they escape danger from their own countries and seek refuge in other lands.

Villanueva and Relativo are only two of outstanding Filipino seafarers who continue to perform their roles and even go beyond the call of duty despite the added challenges they face due to the pandemic. They are the reason why we say they are "at the core of shipping's future."

Tomorrow, September 30, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) shall celebrate World Maritime Day by hosting a live webinar at 12.00 BST on the theme "Seafarers: At the Core of Shipping's Future." Participants will be hearing from Secretary-General Kitack Lim, as well as from four distinguished panelists: Port Captain Ayse Ash Basak, Seafarer Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis, Ship's Captain Marwa Elselehdar, and Ship Captain Thomas Lindegaard Madsen. They will be discussing diversity, safety, crew change, and the environment. The forum will be moderated by Director Frederick J. Kenney of IMO's Legal and External Relations Division.

As part of the celebration, the IMO headquarters and the Seafarer Memorial will be bathed in blue light to signify the seafarers' centrality in shipping and the industry's crucial contribution to the world.

Every year, in the last week of September, the IMO celebrates World Maritime Day to draw the world's attention to the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment, and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work. The IMO has chosen 2021 as a year of action for seafarers, who are experiencing untold setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme is meant to enhance the visibility of seafarers and draw attention to their invaluable role in world trade.

The pandemic has caused the crew change crisis in 2020, seriously hampering the seafarers' function in the delivery of vital goods.

An unprecedented number of seafarers were stranded on ships way beyond their original contracts, unable to go home due to travel restrictions, while a great number of their colleagues are unable to join ships.

In his World Maritime Day message, Secretary-General Kitack Lim pointed out that the situation threatens global trade and safe navigation. "We all must do better to support our brave professionals who continue to deliver global trade," he said. "A first step would be for all countries to designate seafarers as key workers, as outlined in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution adopted in December," he added, lamenting that only about 50 the IMO Member States have complied with the resolution, and reiterating his appeal to Governments to designate seafarers as key workers. With the development and roll-out of vaccines, such designation becomes even more important.

But the seafarers' challenges do not end there, the secretary-general says in his message: "Their lives have also been put at risk in other ways. One major issue being piracy incidents, costing lives and traumatizing many more who have been held hostage or are still in the hands of their attackers."

In his concluding statement, the secretary-general urges stakeholders to "focus on finding solutions and preparing for the post-Covid world, a world in which sustainable shipping will play a crucial role."

When we do arrive at the solutions, we shall surely find what Churchill meant when he said, "It is wonderful what great strides can be made when there is a resolute purpose behind them."