The United Nations recognises the International Day of the Seafarer, which was established up by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). That day is today, June 25. This day is for more than 1.5 million sailors who work around the clock to make sure that food, medicine, and fuel get to every area of the world. They do this for nearly 90% of the world’s trade.
“My Ship Without Harassment” is the theme for this year.
The “My Harassment-Free Ship” campaign for 2025 claims that there should be no bullying or harassment of any type at sea.
The IMO and NGOs that help seafarers and port organisations have produced an interactive web map that shows where support networks and reporting channels are in different flag nations. It’s an effort to make sure that every ship is a secure, respectful, and dignified place.
Why It Matters
Being on a ship is not like any other profession. Sailors are away from their family for months at a time. They have to deal with being alone, being exhausted, and sometimes even threats from piracy or poor weather. A lot of the time, individuals don’t report harassment, whether it’s verbal, physical, or psychological, because they’re scared or don’t know how to do it safely. .
The World Maritime University has shown that more than half of female seafarers and a distressing number of male seafarers have been harassed or threatened while on board wmu.se. It’s not enough to merely have a policy at work to deal with this problem; it’s also vital for mental health and keeping skilled individuals in a tough sector.
Support and Action Around the World Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the IMO, said that harassment “compromises safety, morale, and career development.” He also said that good leadership is important. He also added that the goal is to not put up with it at all. He told shipowners, unions, and maritime training colleges to make their reports better and make the cultures on board more friendly.
Throughout the day, regional organisations and non-profits are hosting webinars, seminars, and open forums. The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) is making its SeafarerHelp hotline and emergency welfare fund better as seafarers migrate from port to port.
This event is also used by maritime schools to stress how crucial it is to address harassment in training programs. The World Maritime University says that the campaign is a “call to action” for instructors, regulators, and businesses to make respect a part of maritime culture from the start.
What You Can Do to Get Involved
Send the note: You can post a promise or message of support with hashtags like #MyHarassmentFreeShip and #DayOfTheSeafarer.
Take a look at these resources: To learn about safety and reporting rules that are specific to each flag, look at the IMO’s interactive map.
You can help groups like ISWAN by giving them money or your time.
Thank seafarers: Today, take a moment to thank the sailors in your life, whether they are family, friends, or dock workers.
Looking Beyond Today
Awareness days are important, but they mean more than that. The IMO’s 2010 resolution that made this day possible ordered countries and corporations to make long-lasting, critical changes, such as enhanced training, support systems on board, and enforcement of marine labour regulations.
It would be a tremendous difference if “My Harassment-Free Ship” became the norm instead of just a slogan. Ships are more than simply ways to move things; they are also homes and places to work, where you can be part of a small society where respect and decency are crucial.
In short, the International Day of the Seafarer is more than just a day to say thanks. It’s a demand for safe and respectful conditions at sea. We owe a debt to the people that drive global trade, even if they go unrecognised. Let’s commit today and every day that ships will not be bothered, and that respect will go with the cargo.
