Day of the Seafarer 2021

The 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign continues to encourage governments to support seafarers amid the pandemic, while calling for a fair future for seafarers.

The campaign will discuss issues that will still be relevant to seafarers after the pandemic, such as fair treatment of seafarers, fair working conditions (in line with ILO's Maritime Labour Convention), fair training, fair safety, etc.

Leading up to the 25 June, seafarers are being invited to answer questions on what a fair future for seafarers looks like. The answers will be shared afterwards and will provide a soundboard to help guide our actions moving forward. Polls are available on all IMO social media platforms.

Message from IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim

“Seafarers have always been at the heart of world trade. Their work touches the lives of each and every one of us, whether it is the food on our tables, the medicine that keeps us healthy, the computers we are using for work and leisure or the vehicles that transport us in our daily lives.

All these items are primarily transported by sea.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic created challenging working conditions including difficulties with port access, repatriation, crew changes and more.

Unfortunately, there are still too many seafarers that have not been able to leave ships for an extended period beyond their contracts and others have been unable to join ships in order to earn a living.

Despite these difficulties, seafarers have gone beyond the call of duty, working tirelessly to keep global trade flowing.

IMO and our partners are doing our part to support seafarers and make sure that they are given the rights and protections of key workers. This includes priority vaccination and ease of travel.

Last year, on the Day of the Seafarer, the IMO asked the world to recognize that Seafarers Are Key Workers.

Many countries have answered that call, however, the crew change crisis is far from being resolved.

We all must keep seafarers in our hearts and continue to take action that will return seafaring to normal practices for crew changes.

So, this year, we are calling for a “Fair Future for Seafarers”.

Our 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign builds on the progress we have made to support seafarers on pandemicrelated challenges.

It aims to draw global attention to other areas where fairness is important.

This includes a safe, secure environment on ships, reasonable working conditions, fair treatment in all situations, as well as respect for the rights of all regardless of race, gender, and religion.

I am especially pleased that IMO will be amplifying the voices of seafarers themselves as they discuss what a fairer future would look like to them under the hashtag “Fair future for seafarers”.

Seafarers, we are listening – and we will make sure you are heard.

If you are a seafarer, I encourage you to participate in this discussion and share your vision for a fair future.

And if you are part of the maritime industry or a beneficiary of the services of seafarers, I ask you to listen to their words, show your appreciation, and take action to create a better world for seafarers who do so much for all of us.”