25/06/2026
Today, June 25th, is Seafarers' Day and we celebrate the crucial role of sailors.
With the aim of highlighting the challenges, pressures, and dangers that seafarers face daily, especially in conflict zones and high-risk areas, this year's celebration of the Day of the Seafarer focuses on the crucial role seafarers play in maintaining the smooth functioning of global trade.
Under the slogan "They carry the world's trade. They take the risks," the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) campaign seeks to bring visibility to the daily lives of seafarers, recognizing both their vital contribution to the global economy and the sacrifices that often remain invisible behind the constant flow of goods, energy, and supplies around the world.
In my opinion: "Seafarers should never become unwitting victims of geopolitical conflicts."
With the central message of recognizing the contribution of seafarers and the need to protect them in a period of rising geopolitical tensions, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Domínguez, delivered a message on the occasion of World Maritime Day 2026. As he emphasized, millions of seafarers worldwide keep global trade running, transporting food, fuel, medicine, and essential goods daily, often far from their families and under particularly difficult conditions.
Referring to this year's theme, "Powering global trade, taking the risks," Mr. Domínguez stressed that many seafarers continue to work in areas affected by conflict and geopolitical tensions, facing long periods at sea, uncertainty about their return home, and limited communication with their families.
"Seafarers should never become unwitting victims of wider geopolitical conflicts, whether in the Red Sea, the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, or other challenging areas," he stated. The IMO Secretary-General noted that behind every ship there is not only cargo, but also people who work for months at sea, often in conditions of isolation, fatigue, and increasing stress, while ensuring the uninterrupted transport of goods, energy, and supplies that underpin the global economy.
"Every ship carries more than cargo. It carries people," he said, adding that "the safety and well-being of seafarers remains our top priority."
Addressing seafarers worldwide, Mr. Dominguez expressed his gratitude for their contribution to the functioning of the international supply chain, saying, "To all seafarers, thank you."
At the same time, he invited seafarers to share their personal experiences and the real-life living and working conditions on board, in order to highlight the challenges the maritime profession faces every day. The Decisive Role of Seafarers
On the occasion of World Maritime Day, the UN Secretary-General underscored the crucial role of seafarers in the functioning of the global economy, as well as the growing challenges they face.
“The hundreds of thousands of seafarers of all specialties and nationalities are the ones who keep the global supply chain alive and moving, since, as is well known, 90% of international trade is carried out by sea. As the IMO states, seafarers are the ones who transport global trade, assuming the risks,” the UN Secretary-General noted. He emphasized that the maritime profession remains particularly demanding, while modern geopolitical events, military conflicts, and attacks on merchant ships have significantly increased the risks faced by crews in many regions of the world. He also referred to the difficulties of seafarers’ daily lives, such as being away from their families for many months, the demanding working conditions, and the physical and mental strain of life at sea.
We reiterate our commitment to the ongoing defense of the rights and safety of seafarers, and we call for more opportunities to support the profession, especially for those just starting out in this noble maritime work.
As already mentioned, guaranteeing decent working and living conditions, access to quality health and education services, increasing salaries, and offering retirement incentives are essential conditions for attracting young people to the maritime transport sector.
"We cannot be proud of the primacy of maritime transport without actively recognizing those who serve it."
