By
Cherie Rowlands |
The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) honoured industry crew members on the Day of the Seafarer, 25 June.
Established in June 2011 and now one of the annual United Nations Observances, the date celebrates the work of all seafarers across the globe.
Highlighting the industry’s long-standing support of its crew members worldwide, CLIA president and CEO Christine Duffy said: “The cruise industry today thanks and honours the 1.5 million seafarers around the world for their unrelenting commitment to maritime service. They are the lifeblood of our industry, ensuring each day that families and cruise patrons worldwide enjoy a safe, reliable and sustainable cruise. While we celebrate them today, we are working diligently as an industry to maintain the highest standards of safety and fair treatment for our crews, and to create best workplace cultures that reward outstanding performance.”
The cruise industry employs seafarers from around 150 countries with more than more than 80 per cent returning for repeat employment. Seafarers are also involved in supporting the worldwide economy and sustainable development, enabling ships to carry more than 90 percent of global trade.
Secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation Koji Sekimizu said: “On this Day of the Seafarer, let us celebrate the brave women and men, from master to deck hand, from sandy shores to the deepest ocean blue, from all corners of the world, who make it possible for the shipping industry to underpin our global economy and foster greater progress for all.”
The inaugural day was established following a resolution which was adopted by the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers in Manila, Philipines, in June 2010.