BIMCO launches new position paper on seafarers and film calling for their protection

BIMCO has launched a new film, titled ‘Seafarers Deserve Fairer Seas’, as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the urgent need for governments and all relevant stakeholders to commit to protecting the men and women who make the global movement of food, fuel and everyday goods possible. This move coincides with the association’s publication of a new position paper on seafarers, entitled ‘Supporting maritime workforce sustainability’.

Recent years have seen an escalation of geopolitical risks, an increase in shipping lanes affected by war, inadequate government protections and unjust criminalisation of seafarers. Currently, around 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Persian Gulf on board ships under heightened risk and considerable mental strain. 

“At times of geopolitical unrest, conflict and uncertainty, disruption to global trade is a major concern worldwide. We need governments and decision makers to focus on the human cost too. Every time a ship is stranded, attacked, detained in port or hijacked, there is a family back home fearing for the lives and well-being of a parent, spouse or relative on board,” says David Loosley, BIMCO Secretary General & CEO.

In addition to a rise in geopolitical uncertainty, BIMCO is increasingly concerned about the criminalisation of seafarers when drugs are found on board or in cases of environmental incidents. The shipping industry has witnessed several incidents of rogue detention and sentencing of seafarers without sufficient evidence.

“Seafarers should never be detained or sentenced without sufficient evidence and due process. We need governments to oppose liability regimes that presume guilt and we need full enforcement of international conventions to ensure that our seafarers are protected,” Loosley says.

Ever since thousands of seafarers were stranded at sea during the COVID-19 pandemic, the shipping industry has called for seafarers to be recognised as key workers to ensure their freedom of movement. The EU now has this recognition in place, and The International Labour Organization last year adopted landmark amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention to officially designate seafarers as key workers.

“We need all nations to recognise that seafarers are the backbone of global trade and economic prosperity. BIMCO strongly encourages all states and decision makers to take action and ensure protection of our seafarers,” Loosley says.

Watch, download and share the film here: Seafarers

Last week, BIMCO published a revised position paper on seafarers, expanding its previous focus on fair treatment into a broader framework addressing the long-term sustainability of the global maritime workforce. 

The updated position “Supporting maritime workforce sustainability” reflects growing recognition across the industry that ensuring a resilient and attractive seafaring profession requires a holistic approach. This goes beyond legal protections alone and encompasses welfare, training, safety culture and the people as the centre of ship design and operations.