Global trade, energy security, food supply, and crisis resilience depend highly on shipping. About 90% of world trade is transported by sea, supported by a workforce of over 2.5 million seafarers on up to 74,000 vessels. Without shipping, national economies and societies cannot function, let alone thrive. Seafarers are key workers who underpin national prosperity and global stability by facilitating the movement of over 12 billion tons of cargo and well over 30 million ocean-going passengers annually. Yet their role remains largely invisible in political decision-making outside maritime ministries.

Ten Key Policy Focus Areas

The ten key policy focus areas are presented in two categories: the first highlights factors that continue to positively shape the seafarer employment landscape, while the second identifies areas where further action is urgently required through strengthened cooperation between industry, unions, governments and intergovernmental organisations. This can be downloaded in the official statement  here.