MEDIA RELEASE – 23rd June 2023
2023 Day of the Seafarer focuses on environment commitment
As the drive to protect our oceans gains momentum, INTERCARGO celebrates Day of the Seafarer 2023 which, this year, focuses on seafarers’ contributions to protecting the marine environment, in line with the World Maritime theme “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on” #OceansWorthProtecting
Seafarers play a huge and important part in protecting the marine environment. Collaboration is vital as we all work together to bring about not only a cleaner and safer dry bulk sector but also an improved industry as a whole.
Moreover, on this day, we want to thank the men and women who make up our more than 1.6 million seafarers, working all around the world and often spending a long time away from their homes and loved ones. It is also a day to celebrate all they achieve in terms of career progression and satisfaction in what is a very rewarding industry to work in.
Of these seafarers, more than 350,000 serve the bulk carrier sector, crewing more than 13,000 vessels, transporting essential cargoes such as food, energy and raw materials. Many will go on from their seafaring careers to enjoy further success in roles onshore, whether it be as a marine surveyor, engineer or trainer, all drawing from their experience and time at sea. The seafarers of today are the industry leaders of the future, re-shaping the maritime industry by improving standards at sea for the safe operation of ships.
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On this occasion, INTERCARGO has been a proud supporter of IMO’s team fundraising for The Mission To Seafarers.
About INTERCARGO: International shipping is vital for the global economy and prosperity as it transports approximately 90% of world trade. The dry bulk sector is the largest shipping sector in terms of number of ships and deadweight. Dry bulk carriers account for 43% of the world fleet (in tonnage) and carry an estimated 55% of the global transport work. Please view our latest Dry Bulk Shipping video: Sustainably serving the world’s essential needs.
The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) unites and promotes quality dry bulk shipping, bringing together 250 forward thinking companies from 30 countries. INTERCARGO convened for the first time in 1980 in London and has been participating with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) since 1993. INTERCARGO provides the forum where dry bulk shipowners, managers and operators are informed about, discuss, and share concerns on key topics and regulatory challenges, especially in relation to safety, the environment, and operational excellence. The Association takes forward its members’ positions to IMO, as well as to other shipping and international industry fora, having free and fair competition as a principle.
