At CMR HQ, we know just how valued seafarers are, and what an important role they play in the global economy. During the pandemic seafarers were given Key Worker and Essential Worker status, allowing easier travel to and from their assignments, but it’s not just during the pandemic that seafarers are essential. Read on to find out our top six reasons why we think seafarers are incredible…

1. Seafarers make massive sacrifices when it comes to quality family time, social events with friends, and living a normal 9  – 5 life. It is not uncommon for seafarers to miss weddings, milestone birthdays, and special celebrations with their children.
2. Shipping is the greenest form of transportation to get goods across the world. Its contribution to pollution is minimal, especially compared to industries that are based on land. If we didn’t have so many seafarers willing to work offshore, more products would be transported overland, increasing pollution. Shipping is helping us move towards a greener and more sustainable future.
3. 90% of the world’s fuel, food, manufactured goods, and more are delivered by sea. Without our seafarers you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the little things, such as buying something tasty in your favourite shop, or even just the luxury of access to day-to-day necessities.
4. Time at sea is not all blue skies and splitting sunshine. Seafarers must endure often frightening and dangerous conditions whilst doing their job. It is a dangerous profession and anyone who is committed to a seafarer life is undoubtedly a tough and resilient individual.
5. Piracy is not a myth. Many seafarers regularly travel through dangerous zones and are at threat of piracy, or sail through war zones. Nearly half of the world’s seaborne oil supply passes through these pirate-infested areas, if our courageous seafarers decided to stop travelling these routes, the world economy would suffer.
6. Seafarers must continually keep their certificates and qualifications up to date, usually at their own cost, and so they spend a lot of time up-skilling and training to renew expired certificates. They don’t graduate with a degree that lasts a lifetime, they are always learning, and constantly developing their unique skills.