This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
June 25, 2020
As the world marks the 10th anniversary of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Day of the Seafarer, the importance of seafarers in global trade cannot be overstated. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing unprecedented disruptions, seafarers are playing a crucial role in ensuring the smooth transport of essential goods.
According to the IMO, seafarers are the backbone of global trade, with over 2 million men and women operating the world's merchant ships. These ships carry more than 80% of global trade by volume, including most of the world's food, energy, raw materials, and manufactured goods.
The IMO has launched an online campaign, #SeafarersAreKeyWorkers, to recognize the contribution of seafarers to the world's economy. The campaign urges governments to designate seafarers as 'key workers' and provide them with the support, assistance, and travel options open to all key workers during the pandemic.
Seafarers are not just essential workers, but also unsung heroes who have been working tirelessly to keep the global supply chain running. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, seafarers have continued to work on ships, ensuring the delivery of essential goods to communities around the world.
However, the pandemic has also highlighted the need for governments to recognize the importance of seafarers and provide them with the necessary support. The IMO has emphasized the need for governments to exempt seafarers from travel restrictions and provide them with access to medical care, documentation, and travel options.
Looking beyond the current situation, the IMO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have urged governments to pursue collaborative efforts to identify and remove any unnecessary regulatory obstacles to post-pandemic recovery and to facilitate maritime transport and trade in these difficult times.
