Seafarers Matter - to Ports

June 25 will mark the annual Day of the Seafarer. The IMO has set this year’s theme as "Seafarers Matter" and particularly wants to engage ports and seafarer centers to demonstrate how much seafarers matter to them.  

The idea is for ports and seafarer centers to share and showcase best practices in seafarer support and welfare. The IMO will create an interactive world map which will feature the best port and seafarer centers from around the world.

The Day of the Seafarer was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention. Its stated purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society.

The resolution "encourages Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer and take action to celebrate it meaningfully."

In 2016, the Day of the Seafarer theme was: "At Sea For All."