- Today, International Day of the Seafarer, recognises the more than 260,000 seafarers who connect Western Australia's trade with global markets
- Seafarers play a critical role in the facilitation of global trade, spending months away at sea
- WA supports 62 per cent of Australia's total international trade by volume, worth more than $233 billion annually
Western Australia is joining the global maritime community to celebrate Day of the Seafarer, recognising the more than 260,000 seafarers who connect the State's trade to global markets.
Seafarers spend between three and 11 months at sea at any one time, stopping at WA ports along the way to load or unload cargo and to enjoy some respite.
WA's port authorities are leading the way in seafarer welfare through their commitment to Port Welfare Committees and onshore initiatives.
Southern Ports - recognised at the Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry Awards last year for its commitment to seafarer welfare - has established a host of initiatives including free wi-fi for visiting seafarers and donations of bicycle fleets, buses and financial support to its local Mission to Seafarers and Stella Maris branches.
Mid West Ports also provides support to its local Mission to Seafarers branch, and Fremantle Ports is working with the maritime industry to establish a more sustainable funding model to support seafarer welfare.
Tenders for a new Seafarer Centre in Port Hedland, the world's largest bulk export port, are currently being assessed. The $13.5 million centre will provide updated services and facilities for seafarers and promote increased awareness and support of the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre within the wider community.
As stated by Ports Minister Stephen Dawson:
"WA supports 62 per cent of the nation's international trade by volume, valued at more than $233 billion a year."
"This international trade would not be possible without the thousands of seafarers who live and work on vessels for months at a time.
"I'm proud of our WA ports for leading the way in their commitment to seafarer welfare all-year-round, offering much needed respite for seafarers visiting our coastal communities."
"Our ports are strategic assets with critical infrastructure boosting our State's economy, but we also know they are so much more than that - they are full of heart and care for everyone in their port communities, including seafarers."
