On 25 June 2013, individuals, organisations and governments around the world will be recognising seafarers – the unsung heroes of the sea who make global trade possible. Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the master developer of ports and industrial zones, will be taking the opportunity to recognize and thank the seafarers – on all types and sizes of ships – coming into its ports on 25 June.
Established by the United Nations body in 2011, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the 25th June is now marked annually, around the world, as the international “Day of the Seafarer”.
Over 90% of all global trade travels by sea, much of what we see in our shops has arrived by ship, and yet few of us realise the contribution those working on ships make to our lives.
Many of ADPC’s employees work in the capital region and western region ports, and a number are ex-seafarers too; most notably ADPC’s acting CEO Mohamed Al Shamisi, whose extensive maritime career includes time working on large ships. As a result, ADPC employees are keen to recognize the valuable contribution made by seafarers worldwide.
This year’s theme is called: “Faces of the Sea” and the IMO has asked people around the world to use social media – Facebook, Twitter and Youtube – to upload pictures or videos of people working at sea and in ports, to say thank you for their contribution to world trade.
As part of the Day of the Seafarer, ADPC has asked some of its maritime employees ‘ADPC’s Faces of the Sea’ about their thoughts on working with ships and in ports as part of the process that keeps world trade moving.
As part of the IMO campaign, ADPC will be featuring their comments here in the UAE, and internationally via the IMO’s social media channels.
To mark International Seafarers Day further, ADPC will be distributing gifts to the ships calling in ADPC ports on 25 June to thank the seafarers onboard for their hard work.
ADPC is the mandated authority, responsible for a programme of improvements and upgrades to benefit the local communities around each port and enhance the leisure use or trade opportunities in each location.
[mappress]
ADPC, June 25, 2013