Seafarers, the silent people hidden behind the movements of the maritime industry

World Seafarer Day, June 25, is not simply a celebration in the maritime industry. With millions of Vietnamese and global seafarers drifting at sea every hour, it is a day for the world to pause and look at the ocean, where there are people who keep the trade lifeline flowing day and night, and where many aspirations and silent sacrifices are kept. Those who are known as “warriors on the sea”, do not wear military uniforms, do not have guns in their hands, but still carry the mission of keeping the economy alive and national pride.

The people who keep the economic circuit in the middle of the ocean

Throughout the turbulent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to global supply chain crises, the image of Vietnamese seafarers has been quietly present behind every container ship, every import-export shipment arriving and leaving the port. It is a journey of thousands of nautical miles, where they are both engineers, soldiers, and keepers of livelihood for themselves and millions of relatives behind each ship. At the same time, they are also an indispensable link in the flow of the maritime economy, keeping the wheel of global trade moving.

The living and working conditions of seafarers have never been easy. They spend months drifting in the middle of the ocean, facing storms, work pressure, homesickness, and even dangers from pirates and occupational accidents. On a closed ship, all emotions must be contained, all difficulties must be overcome and faced. And even though they are far from land and loved ones, in their hearts, there is still a promise: to return.

Perhaps, few people can imagine that a young sailor, just a few weeks after leaving school, had to face a level 10 storm in the middle of the Hoang Sa sea; or a deck officer had to take turns navigating for hours without rest, to avoid collisions and protect the ship, people, and cargo. That is a maturity that no book can teach, a bravery that only the sea can forge.

But behind each seafarer is not only a personal story. It is also a symbol of the shipping industry, one of the pillars of the economy. According to statistics, more than 90% of the total global cargo is transported by sea. That means all consumption, production, even health and energy security activities depend on the smooth flow of the sea. And each ship arriving at port on time is the result of thousands of hours of hard work, discipline and responsibility of the crew. It is not an exaggeration to say that seafarers are the ones who ensure that an industry essential to human life operates smoothly.

World Seafarers Day, a day to honor seafarers

This year's World Seafarer Day, June 25, is not only to honor, but also to remind. To remind that behind every GDP growth, every export statistic, there are people who have sacrificed their personal safety to keep their commitment to the Fatherland, to customers, to the global market. Every container of goods arriving at factories, every shipment of agricultural products reaching the world market bears the silent mark of seafarers. They deserve to be heard, protected and recognized appropriately.

Over the years, Vietnam has been gradually improving the quality of training, benefits and working conditions for this team. International cooperation programs, training reforms at maritime schools, and especially the recognition of seafarers as “essential workers” in the global supply chain have partly demonstrated the necessary respect. However, there are still shortcomings such as uneven salaries among shipping lines, limited promotion opportunities, and gaps in legal support when incidents occur abroad.

We often praise the miracles of the marine economy, but please do not forget that these miracles could not have been achieved without the hard-working sailors at sea. Honoring them is not only a gesture of kindness, but also an investment in the future of the marine industry, the development of the country's economy and the image of the country in the eyes of international friends.

And today, in the salty breeze of the ocean, in the sound of ship whistles echoing from distant ports, I would like to send my deepest gratitude and best wishes for safety, overcoming all difficulties, and completing your tasks well to those who have chosen the sea as their way of life, those who silently bring prosperity from the sea to the country.

Source: https://vimc.co/sailor-vien-nhung-con-nguoi-tham-lang-an-minh-sau-chuyen-dong-cua-nganh-hang-hai/