Seafarer welfare to be placed at the heart of SMM

SMM Hamburg has placed seafarer welfare at the centre of its exhibition this week, by choosing The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) as its official event charity, with Deutsche Seemans mission. The partnership will not only support MtS in its essential welfare work but will also highlight important areas of its work such as mental health and abandonment.

MtS will use its platform at SMM to showcase the latest developments in seafarer welfare, including how it is using new initiatives and networks to support the mental health of seafarers, as well as how embracing new technology can help advance traditional seafarer skills. Speaking of MtS as a nominated charity at SMM, MtS Secretary-General the Revd Cannon Andrew Wright, said: “It is wonderful to have been invited to be the nominated charity of SMM 2018, two years after our first nomination. It is very important that the industry is not only aware of the problems seafarers face but is actively engaged with addressing the root causes.

“The support from SMM to bring these issues to the centre of industry discussion is excellent, and its because of the support we receive, from organisations and individuals, that we have seen many positive changes over the years in regard to seafarer welfare. However, the nature of seafaring will always mean that there is the need for support, and the global network of MtS means that we can offer this help whenever and wherever needed. Our presence in over 200 ports worldwide means we are able to offer seafarers practical assistance – from helping to transfer money and transport to local shops to legal advocacy and mental wellbeing. Delegates at SMM are playing their role in helping support the 1.5 million seafarers globally.”

MtS will be welcoming delegates to its stand in Hall FS.EG Stand 2 during SMM which runs from the 4 – 7 September. More information can be found at: www.missiontoseafarers.org. Donations collected at both events will help the Mission to continue their ongoing practical support of thousands of seafarers around the world every day.