#OceansWorthProtecting: 2023 Day of the Seafarer highlights role in ocean protection against pollution

The 2023 Day of the Seafarer spotlights the role of seafarers in ensuring healthy oceans as they are expected to prevent pollution of the marine environment in the course of their operations at sea.

In his message for the day, the IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, empahsised the expected contribution of the seafarer in the protection of the marine environment.

He said: “Once again, we celebrate the International Day of the Seafarer on the 25th of June. This year, we highlight seafarers’ contribution to the safety of ships and protection of the marine environment.

“Every day, hundreds of thousands of seafarers are underway on ships, playing a vital role in global trade, transporting cargoes, and ensuring passengers reach their destinations safely.

“As the maritime sector continuously works towards making shipping more environmentally sound and sustainable, seafarers play an increasingly important role in helping to protect the health of our ocean and planet.

“Every day at sea, they help to enforce IMO’s environment-related treaties by implementing rules on garbage, and sewage, and air pollution prevention. This year, as we celebrate the 50-year anniversary of our main environmental instrument – the MARPOL Convention – renewing our firm commitment towards the protection of our environment, this remains even more relevant.

“As the shipping industry accelerates its support of the global efforts to combat climate change by moving towards decarbonization, seafarers’ voices and actions are key to ensuring a just transition to a zero-carbon future. All this is to protect our precious oceans, which are the lifeblood of the planet.”