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TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE VIITAL ROLES OF SEAFARERS

TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE VIITAL ROLES OF SEAFARERS

Sunday, 27/06/2021

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It is no secret that the development of world’s economy largely depends on maritime trade
activities. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 80% of
overall global trades is completed via maritime transport.
 
The main elements in maritime trade activities are shipping, sailing, and seafarers. Among these
three, the most important has to be seafarers, as they are the ones who man the shipping sector and
ensure timely sailing of vessels carrying goods. It can be argued that, without the seafarers, there
will not be a maritime industry.
 
In recognition of seafarers’ contributions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has
designated 25 June as the International Day of the Seafarer.
 
IMO has also decided that 2021 is the year for doing more for the seafarers. When the Covid-19
pandemic first occurred in 2020, they were the biggest community affected by it. A year later, the
pandemic is still widespread, they are caught up in crew change crisis and therefore not able to go
back to work, and their lives are difficult still.
 
Meanwhile, some seafarers whose contracts have ended have been forced to remain on the ships,
as travel restrictions have prevented then from returning home. As a result, their physical, mental,
and emotional well beings have been affected.
 
For their great role in ensuring uninterrupted global food supply, seafarers ought to be considered
part of the frontliners.
 
This year’s theme for the International Day of the Seafarer, Fair Future for Seafarers, sends a strong
signal to policy makers in the maritime industry that seafarers have the right to be given fair
treatments in all areas, including support on pandemic-related challenges.
 
Malaysia, as a member of IMO under C category, also celebrates the International Day of the
Seafarer. And this year’s celebration was special because Malaysia’s Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr
Wee Ka Siong launched a vaccination scheme under the National Covid-19 Immunization Programme
specially for the maritime transport sector.
 
This vaccination initiative reflects the support of the government, especially the Ministry of
Transport and the Marine Department, towards more than 10000 seafarers and seaport operators
who have contributed greatly to the country.
 
The Association of Malaysia’s Maritime Professionals (IKMAL) has proposed to Khairy Jamaluddin,
minister in charge of the immunization programme, that seafarers be given vaccination priority so
that they may return to work as soon as possible. This will ensure uninterrupted shipping and
seaport operations.
 
Indeed, seafarers are the heroes of the oceans. Without them, world maritime trade will surely be
crippled.
 
English translation by Corporate Communication Office
 
Original Malay version by Dr. Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Maritime
Studies, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu