Seafarers should never become victims of conflict, says IMO

The IMO’s message for the Day of the Seafarer focuses on preventing crews from becoming victims of conflict as ships pass through geopolitically tense regions. The International Maritime Organisation said vessels carry “more than cargo” and that seafarers often operate far from home amid long periods at sea, uncertainty about return dates, and limited communication with families. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez highlighted the 2026 campaign theme, “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks,” calling for seafarers to be central to the global trade narrative. The campaign runs in the context of ongoing disruptions across routes including the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz. It also features Third Officer Clarisse Bangga, stranded in Hormuz before safely making it through a difficult period. The Day of the Seafarer is marked every year on June 25.