June 25, 2020 marked the 10
th
anniversary of the Day of the Seafarer. Each year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) creates a campaign to celebrate seafarers, while calling attention to critical issues impacting this vital global workforce.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the 2020 campaign slogan is “Seafarers Are Key Workers.” The goal this year is to shine a spotlight on the role seafarers play in keeping global trade moving and to encourage world governments to recognize them as frontline workers in the battle against COVID-19.
In his Day of the Seafarer message, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim emphasized the sacrifices seafarers are making and the hardships they are facing during the crisis. Pandemic related restrictions, for example, have created challenges with crew changeovers and repatriation, as well as with access to medical care and personal protective equipment (PPE). Many seafarers have not been home for months, while other crew members are waiting at home for their chance to get back to work.