Contribution of seafarers to commerce and economic system

The Seafarer’s Day aims to recognise the contribution of seafarers to the economy, trade and regular civil life.

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However, the world is yet to acknowledge the extent to which each and every seafarer is entwined within their regular lives.

Let's take a look at the top reasons seafarers matter to the world.

World Trade and Globalisation depend on seafarers

Shipping is an industry that contributes over 90% to the world economy. There are about 51400 merchant ships plying all over the world, transferring goods between places, keeping the economy running. Whether it is oil from the Gulf or wheat from the Cargill Grain Dock in Houston or iPhones in containers being delivered from one part of the world to another - everything is running round the clock, with precision and diligence.

Who are the people responsible for this non-stop action? While the shipbrokers and the charterers and the owners take care of the financial aspects backing the viability of the trade, the seafarers are the ones executing it in the real life aspect. The trade is only so good when the product is delivered safe and on time to the receiver, and seafarers ensure that Sundays notwithstanding!

Seafarers do not understand the concept, rather cannot be allowed to understand the concept of Sundays - someone somewhere is in need of a product that must be delivered clean and on time.

The figure of 90% isn't an arbitrary figure but rather a 'precise estimation' and rightfully so. Shipping still happens to be the cheapest mode of transport. Some might ignorantly argue about airplanes, trains etc. being equally important.

Daily lives of people depends on seafarers