Sea people

The people of seafarers: in the world almost two million workers between difficulties and opportunities

In April 2022, the closure of the port of Shanghai for a few weeks, caused by the anti-Covid lockdown, and the Russian armed blockade of the Ukrainian port of Odessa, paralyzed entire global distribution chains of essential goods, such as microprocessors for computers or flour for bread, from which the entire Middle East and a large part of Africa live. The crisis has demonstrated the intrinsic fragility and the strong commercial, energy and human resources interdependence on which the security of all the peoples of the world depends, without exception. A speck of dust in the machinery of market and transport stability is really enough to cause serious suffering to billions of people.

Globally, some 1.9 million people work at sea to keep 74,000 ships in service and make our way of life possible or easier. The BIMCO / ICS 2021 Seafarers Report recorded 1,892,720 units, up from 1,647,494 units in 2015. Of these, 857,540 were officers and 1,035,180 were sailors. Asia is the most important continent in the supply of personnel at sea: 44% of the global workforce comes from the Philippines, Russia, Indonesia, China and India. For the same countries, seafarers represent an important source of income, thanks to the wages sent to families. In 2019, the Philippines earned $ 30.1 billion from overseas workers - 9.3% of GDP and 7.3% of gross national income - including $ 6.5 billion from seafarers.

In 2020, due to the pandemic, total remittances fell by 0.8% to $ 29.9 billion, a decline of 2.8% to $ 6.4 billion. During the pandemic, seafarers continued to demonstrate great professionalism and dedication to enable the transport of food, medical supplies, fuel and other essential goods, helping to keep supply chains running and making global trade work. However, hundreds of thousands of seafarers remained stranded at sea and were not vaccinated.

Each month, crews need to be replaced to avoid fatigue and comply with international maritime safety, health and welfare standards. But in response to Covid, governments have closed many borders, imposed blockades and banned landings, thus temporarily suspending crew changes. At least 250,000 seafarers remained at sea for more than a year without being able to return to their homes, not even for medical treatment.

Asia is also at the forefront of gender equality in port administration and management roles. According to the report of the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), in female participation in the port workforce, Asians were above the world average with 52% of management and administrative roles entrusted to women, compared to 39 % in Europe.

The invitation to global fraternity "go to the streets around the world" is therefore even more demanding for those who have gone to the seas.

Sandro Calvani

NP Giugno Luglio 2022