Seafarers’ Welfare Seminar in Denmark
MARITIME SERVICE: The aim of the seminar is to bring together key players involved in seafarers’ welfare from the shipping companies, unions, welfare organisations, and ports. The seminar will look at important issues and challenges involving the welfare of seafarers.
Seafarersʼ Welfare is becoming an important issue. With the increase in the number of seafarersʼ being held in captivity by pirates, the impending ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, and the problems of recruiting and retaining seafarers, the issue of the welfare of seafarers is now a major concern in the maritime industry.
The International Committee on Seafarersʼ Welfare, an international NGO backed by the International Shipping Federation, International Transport Workers Federation, and the International Christian Maritime Association, is organising a one day seminar at the Danish Shipowners Association in Copenhagen on Thursday 14 April.
The seminar will look at the current issues and problems facing seafarersʼ welfare. These include the welfare of seafarers and their families affected by piracy, communications at sea and in port for seafarers, and the using the Maritime Labour Convention to enhance seafarersʼ welfare.
The seminar is being held at the Danish Shipowners Association, Amaliegade 33, Copenhagen, Denmark from 9 - 17.
Programme:
9.15 Chair’s opening remarks
9.20 Keynote speaker – “Challenges facing seafarers’ welfare – what do seafarers want & need.” Speaker from Danish Shipowners Association
9.45 Developments in new technology & implications for seafarers’ welfare. Dr Olivia Swift (researcher into seafarersʼ access wifi/wimax in ports) & guest speaker – TBC • Improved access to email & internet onboard – what does this mean for seafarersʼ welfare? • How do seafarersʼ centre respond to changing technology • Seafarers access to email & internet at sea & in port – how to make it more accessible
11.00 Coffee
11.15 Piracy & seafarers’ welfare – Peter Swift, Chair ʻMaritime Piracy – A Humanitarian Responseʼ & Per Gullestrup – CEO Clipper Group • What should shipping companies & crewing agents be doing? • What should welfare organisations be doing? • What is the support available for families while seafarers are held? • What support is there for seafarers when they are released? • Discussion
13.00 Lunch 14.00 Chair’s opening remarks – afternoon session
14.10 Using the MLC to establish welfare facilities & structures in ports – Torbjørn Husby, Norwegian Maritime Directorate & David Dearsley, ex Secretary General IMEC How can the MLC be used to enhance welfare services, facilities, & structures in ports? • How can the MLC be used to set up new facilities? • Examples of good practice in ports • Discussion
15.15 Coffee
15.30 Welfare on board – case study of good practice Mr David Furnival, Group Managing Director, Bernhard Schulte Ship Management (winner of ICSW International Seafarersʼ Welfare Awards Shipping Company of the Year) & Connie Gehrt, Managing Director, Seahealth • Why crew welfare is important to shipping companies • What are the practical steps for companies to take to improve the welfare services & facilities for seafarers. • Discussion
16.30 Way forward – what the ICSW is doing • The priorities for the ICSW • How to work together • Discussion
16.45 Chair’s closing remarks
Source: seafarerswelfare.org / maritimedanmark.dk
