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World Maritime Day 2021

Updated:
Oct 28, 2024
/
Published:
Aug 17, 2021

Our Copenhagen regional headquarters, a brilliantly restored early 20th-century fire station, strongly echoes so much of what seafaring is about – safety, skill, service, sacrifice, history, dedication and duty.

On 30th September, it was lit up in blue to mark World Maritime Day as part of our efforts to highlight the tremendous professionalism and dedication of the world’s two million seafarers during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have played a critical role in keeping the main arteries of international trade open, enabling countries around the world to receive the food, energy, PPE and vaccinations that their people need.

However, with a few notable exceptions, the payback for keeping global supply chains functioning has been sparse, a moral bankruptcy that has exacerbated the crew change crisis and left hundreds of thousands of seafarers stranded at sea even now. Many face innumerable hardships, including a lack of vaccinations and sometimes even basic medical assistance.

“Over the last year and a half, the shipping industry has been pleading for leadership from political leaders to help us find ways of treating seafarers with the respect they deserve. Another World Maritime Day is upon us and thus far our pleas have largely fallen on deaf ears,” says our CEO Captain Rajesh Unni.

“Seafarers should be receiving priority vaccinations. By now, systems should be in place globally to enable smooth crew changes, priority air travel, immediate medical assistance and rapid repatriation. Yet still, we have no legal framework for this, either to cope now or during the next pandemic. “That is an abdication of responsibility by political leaders and a default on the huge debt of gratitude owed to seafarers worldwide.”

“How does one begin to convince youngsters that life at sea is a good career choice when the treatment of seafarers has been so patently poor over the past one and a half years?”

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Getting to Zero

Synergy Marine Group is a member of The Getting to Zero Coalition, dedicated to launching zero-emission deep-sea vessels by 2030 and achieving full decarbonisation by 2050. The Global Maritime Forum, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and Friends of Ocean Action, founded and manages the Coalition.

MACN

Synergy Marine Group is part of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), a global initiative striving for a corruption-free maritime industry, promoting fair trade for the greater societal good.

INTERCARGO

Synergy Marine Group is a part of INTERCARGO, an association championing safe, efficient, and eco-friendly shipping. INTERCARGO collaborates with the International Maritime Organization and other global entities to shape maritime legislation.

IMEC

Synergy Marine Group is part of IMEC, a top maritime employers’ group championing fair and sustainable labor practices. Representing global employers, IMEC negotiates seafarers’ wages and conditions, and invests in workforce development.

IMPA

Synergy Marine Group is involved in IMPA Save’s initiative to reduce single-use water bottles at sea. The IMPA SAVE council comprises top global shipowners and suppliers, representing over 8000 vessels with significant combined purchasing influence.

All Aboard

Synergy Marine Group is a key participant in The All Aboard Alliance’s Diversity@Sea initiative. As one of eleven prominent maritime companies, we aim to foster inclusivity at sea and directly address challenges faced by women seafarers.

CSSF

Synergy Marine Group is part of the Container Ship Safety Forum (CSSF), a global B2B network dedicated to enhancing safety and management standards in the container shipping sector.

Danish Shipping

Synergy Marine Group is affiliated with Danske Rederier, the primary industry and employers’ association for Danish shipping—Denmark’s top export sector. Danske Rederier actively engages with authorities and policymakers both domestically and globally.