Maritime Industry Australia Ltd says every year on June 25 the international industry pays tribute to the many seafarers serving industry.
It adds that without the seafarers, world economies would grind to a halt, critical medical supplies would not be distributed, and producers around the world would be deprived of their markets.
“We welcome the Australian government’s recent recommitment to rebuilding Australian shipping, and we look forward to assisting them in creating the business environment required to encourage the Australian shipping industry to thrive, and to ensure the ability to train and employ skilled seafarers critical to national prosperity,” Angela Gillham, MIAL CEO, says.
MIAL notes seafarers have and will continue to play a critically important role in the safety and prosperity of Australia.
It recognises the hardships that many seafarers have endured particularly over the past two years of the pandemic, and thanks them for continuing to work in the face of such challenges.
It says a record eight amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) were recently agreed by shipowner and seafarer representatives to enhance protections afforded to the critical cohort of workers.
MIAL adds that it has vocally and repeatedly emphasised the importance of compliance with the requirements of the MLC throughout the pandemic and reiterates its support of the international industry that the rights of seafarers enshrined in the MLC be respected.
It says as an island nation, Australia is more reliant on sea trade and this critical workforce than many other nations.
By bolstering Australian owned, operated, and controlled ships, MIAL says it will increase Australia’s sovereign maritime capability and will address the vulnerabilities this country faces.
It says a strong domestic industry with the opportunity to train and employ highly skilled seafarers is critical to our future security and economic growth.
For more information on Maritime Industry Australia Limited, click here.