Source: pomorac.hr
This year, on June 25th, International Seafarers’ Day is traditionally celebrated!
With the constant and irresistible call of the sea, seafaring is not just a profession – it is a way of life, but also a meaningful, important career that provides a solid foundation for life and offers endless opportunities for learning and advancement.
“Every day, hundreds of thousands of seafarers sail on ships, and without them there would be no maritime industry. This day gives us an opportunity each year to recognize and pay tribute to all seafarers,” says IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim.
In 2010, the member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to proclaim 25 June as World Seafarers’ Day, to express gratitude for the efforts that seafarers make to develop international maritime trade and the world economy. This date was chosen because it was then that the STCW Convention and its associated laws were adopted at the Diplomatic Conference in Manila.
My Harassment-Free Ship
As in previous years, the Seafarers’ Day campaign is focused on social media. This year’s My Harassment-Free Ship campaign, launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), focuses on creating a safe, inclusive and dignified working environment for all seafarers.
The campaign goes beyond words – the IMO calls on all stakeholders in the maritime industry, from shipping companies to seafarers themselves, to actively participate in creating a culture of respect. This includes strengthening internal policies, educating crews and encouraging the reporting of all forms of abuse.
A special tool this year is the Interactive World Map, which provides information on reporting abuse opportunities by flag state, available support and mechanisms for protecting seafarers. This provides seafarers with concrete assistance – regardless of where they are located.
According to available data, more than half of female seafarers and a significant number of male seafarers in general have reported experiences of harassment while serving at sea. Unfortunately, many cases remain unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of trust in reporting systems. This calls for the introduction of more effective and secure reporting channels.
The hashtag #MyHarassmentFreeShip is being used on social media to encourage joint action, sharing of experiences, and visibility of this important initiative.
A message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stresses the importance of international cooperation to ensure seafarers have working conditions based on equality, safety and respect. “Seafarers are key to global trade, but they are often denied their basic rights. It is time to change that,” Guterres said.
Seafarers’ Day 2025 thus goes beyond symbolism – it becomes a concrete call to action and a milestone towards a better, safer maritime industry.
