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Services must be brought to seafarers says ITF trust
31 March 2008
 |  |  view larger image | | | Port welfare committee representatives in Sri Lanka, show off a new vehicle for seafarers arriving in Colombo port, funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust | |
Trustees of the ITF’s Seafarers’ Trust have concluded that services should be brought to seafarers rather than seafarers to services.
The trustees who met at the beginning of March to set a budget for this year’s spend on seafarers’ welfare projects around the world – £3 million was allocated – emphasised that facilities for seafarers should be located in port areas, so that they do not have to leave the port to access the facilities they need. Of the £3 million, £1.8 million has been allocated to specific major projects focusing specifically on Latin America and South Asia. Transport and inexpensive telephone and internet access for seafarers will also be priorities.
Tom Holmer of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust commented: “We need more engagement with port operating companies and port authorities on facilities offered in ports, so that seafarers do not have to leave the port to call home or to find a welfare worker. The trustees also want to see more integration with the provisions of the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention on welfare services to encourage a broader base of support for visiting seafarers in foreign ports.”
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