ABP is taking steps to offer better facilities to seafarers arriving at its ports by allowing shipping agents to pay an optional contribution in support of the work of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.
Adam Northover, ABP’s Marine Designated Person and the company’s technical lead for marine matters, explained: “In the modern marine environment where ships are facing shorter turnarounds and smaller crews it is not always possible for seafarers – the unsung heroes behind the 95% of UK trade that moves by water – to get ashore or take shore leave.
“This makes the work of the charities and seafarer centres even more important to the welfare of seafarers visiting our ports. We are proud that the seafarer welfare facilities in the Humber that have been supported by a positive default contribution have been used as examples by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. We are delighted to be extending this easy way for the shipping industry to support this crucial work.”
Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “I have said before that we will not leave seafarers behind, and I am delighted to see ABP strengthen support for the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and its charities. Seafarers deserve our upmost respect and it is great to see the positive default contribution for welfare facilities be extended to ports across the country.”
Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of the MNWB, welcomed the initiative by ABP. “Our 47 constituent charities work tirelessly to ensure that seafarers and fishers have access to the best possible welfare facilities in UK ports. Our Port Welfare Committees are the front line of welfare development and play a vital role in securing the wellbeing of all seafarers.
“With 45 seafarers’ centres, around 400 welfare workers, a fleet of over 70 vehicles for seafarer transport and WiFi and mobile broadband services, the UK’s welfare charities are proud to support crew visiting UK ports and grateful to ABP for extending this to 21 of its ports. Our hope is that other port owners will follow and introduce their own welfare levy schemes in the near future.”
The change to a positive default will take effect from 1 January. It is hoped that organisations will support this worthwhile cause, but they can opt out in PAVIS should they wish not to pay.
