Day of the Seafarer 2024 – safety first and foremost

Today, on this very important annual occasion, the Day of the Seafarer, INTERCARGO would like to express its heartfelt appreciation of seafarers, the truly unsung heroes of the sea, and their families worldwide. The world’s seafarers support the transport of 90% of the planet’s cargoes and are key to the uninterrupted smooth operation of the global economy.

2024 sees the IMO inviting the industry to focus even more on safety, since never has safety been more important than now. With the ongoing conflicts around the globe affecting the maritime world more than ever, on this year’s Day of the Seafarer it is essential that our hearts and minds are with seafarers and their families, who are the innocent victims of the recent deadly attacks on merchant shipping.

Our thoughts are also with all the seafarers who are being illegally and unlawfully held worldwide in addition to seafarers detained by port state authorities as unwilling accomplices of drug trafficking. We urge Flag States, the IMO and the United Nations to do everything in their power to ensure that merchant shipping becomes safe for seafarers, since the pandemic years proved how reliant we all are on their efforts and dedication.

For 2024, the designated IMO Day of the Seafarer campaign will concentrate on seafarers' contributions to making the maritime sector a safer workplace. The IMO is therefore keen to engage seafarers and wants them to share their best safety tips on life at sea, whether it’s the protective gear they wear, the equipment they use or the training they receive.

INTERCARGO gives its wholehearted support to this campaign and recognises the part that our seafarers play in keeping themselves and their colleagues safe in these challenging times.

INTERCARGO encourages its members to participate actively in this memorable day by posting relevant photos and videos of their seafarers on their organisations social media feeds with the IMO’s designated hashtag for the day, which is #safetytipsatsea.