- Responsibility Lies With Leaders to Make Industry Attractive.
- Key Manifesto Outlined for Seafarer Rights and Safety.
- World Maritime Day Seen as Chance to Inspire Young Generations.
As we gear up for World Maritime Day on September 25, Capt. Kuba Szymanski, the Secretary General of InterManager, emphasises that senior managers need to take a hard look at their own practices if they genuinely want to enhance the quality of life for seafarers. With this year’s theme from the IMO being ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,’ he points out that the future of our oceans as a workplace comes with significant responsibilities for maritime leaders to rethink their approach to seafarer welfare, reports Safety4Sea.
Responsibility Lies With Leaders
“As a ship manager, and more importantly, crew manager, the responsibility lies with us as leaders – there is no future unless we put our own house in order and make the ‘shop window’ attractive to welcome in the next generation of seafarers,” Szymanski explained.
A Manifesto for Seafarer Welfare
Szymanski has laid out a manifesto detailing the essential steps needed to make real strides in improving conditions for seafarers:
- Achieve full equality for both genders
- Ensure social rights for seafarers are on par with those of onshore employees
- Eliminate the blame culture – allow for the proper implementation of all existing rules and treaties
- Put an end to the criminalisation of seafarers and stop using them as scapegoats for issues beyond their control
- Make a more serious and unified effort to enhance safety standards at sea
“A career in maritime can help young people develop resilience and mental strength, while enjoying great teamwork and a brotherhood. The pay is good and there are clear and structured paths for promotion, allowing the perfect chance for life planning,” said Szymanski.
Attracting the Next Generation
Capt. Szymanski believes that World Maritime Day is the ideal moment to highlight the advantages of a career at sea to younger generations. Celebrated every year on the last Thursday of September, World Maritime Day honours the maritime industry’s vital role in global trade and the economy. It focuses on shipping safety, maritime security, and the protection of our marine environment. Each year, a specific theme brings attention to important aspects of the maritime sector, giving governments, organisations, and stakeholders a chance to raise awareness, tackle challenges, and promote sustainable practices.
Seafarers as Key Stakeholders
“Seafarers have to be recognised as an important stakeholder within the shipping industry and consulted when changes are being made, not just at ship-level but by industry stakeholders who are producing new regulations and innovations,” Szymanski said in an exclusive interview with Safety4Sea.
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Source: Safety4Sea
