Seafarer plight through the pandemic
Seafarers are unsung heroes without a doubt, who do not care for much aside from their work and their sign-off date! By virtue of the lack of recognition that is evident, it definitely reduces the enthusiasm but does not ever halt the work.
There is a blindness and even ignorance about what goes on at sea. Sadly it seems that people are too busy getting on with living to worry about how their life happens.
Over a century ago even on a small island surrounded by sea, people didn’t seem to care or worry much about shipping. This is a pattern which has spread over time and distance, now it seems that most of the world is blind to the sea, to seafarers and the ships who make everything happen.
Clapping for essential workers on suburban streets cannot be heard at sea, where hundreds of thousands of crew members are stranded on ships they can’t leave, risking their lives to put food on our plates.
Our complex global supply system would grind to a halt without them, as merchant ships transport about 90% of global trade by volume, from food and medical goods, to energy and raw materials. In 2018, world seaborne trade volumes rose to an all-time high of 11 billion tonnes.
But as the pandemic continues, the mental health and safety of crews are under threat, imperilling the global economic recovery from COVID-19, according to a growing swell of leaders and organizations, including the World Economic Forum.
"Just like other key workers, seafarers are on the front line in this global fight. They deserve our thanks. But they also need – and deserve – quick and decisive humanitarian action from governments everywhere, not just during the pandemic, but at all times", by Mr Lim
Society, technology, industry – all rest on and rely upon shipping. The goods, fuel, food that are moved across the globe, they are done so with ships and so seafarers make the world the place it is.
While these helpless people take huge risks of life to escape their countries, it is the seafarers that are constantly engaged in humanitarian relief for those who cannot make it all the way! Even with the case of other vessels that might have been subject to mishap, a vessel in the vicinity will always be there to render assistance.
Due to the increase in international trade, demand for shipping is expanded tremendously. Shipping plays a very important role in the growth and development of a country.
Career in shipping is perfect for the individuals who are fascinated by the sea, love traveling in foreign ports and want to experience different cultures. A lot of our DIABOS officers are ex-ship employees, you can easily shift from onshore to offshore if you have the experience!
Interested readers should peruse the details of the IMO Seafarer crisis action team and the growing response to the Neptune declaration. Much is now being attempted and much more needs are done to mitigate the seafarers’ plight through the pandemic.
