Employers, unions, and owners unite over seafarer challenges

Collaboration between IMEC, ICS and ITF is helping to drive progress on key seafarer related issues, according to International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) Chairman Belal Ahmed.

Speaking to Seatrade Maritime News ahead of his appearance at CMA Shipping in March, Ahmed gave an overview of the challenges facing seafarers, the risks they pose to the industry, and the work being done to overcome those challenges.

Ahmed said that weekly meetings between himself, International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) General Secretary Stephen Cotton and International Chamber (ICS) of Shipping Secretary General Guy Platten were started during the pandemic to co-ordinate efforts in issues like seafarer vaccination and crew transfers. That co-operation has grown to encompass issues affecting seafarers including training, welfare, and helping the transition to new fuels.