We need to leverage opportunities in shipping to boost economic growth, employment and innovation — Transport Minister

The Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has called for the need to leverage the opportunity in shipping to boost economic growth, employment and innovation.

For the Shipping industry to reach its full potential, he said, it is imperative to holistically address the trends, developments and challenges facing the maritime industry.

The Minister who made these remarks in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy, Mr. Frederick Adom, also noted that the best way to achieve that, is through the formulation of robust maritime policies and strategies as well as build close collaboration and communication between industry players.

He made the statement during the celebration of Ghana’s 2021 World Maritime Day in Accra.

The celebration was under theme, “Seafarers: at the Core of shipping’s Future.” The celebration according to organizers, seek to primarily highlight the invaluable role and contribution of seafarers within the global maritime supply chain.

Mr. Ofori Asiamah continued that the role of seafarers within the 'Blue Economy' cannot be overemphasized, as they are essential for the safe, secure and efficient operation of ships and contribute to the protection of the fragile marine environment.

“Safe navigation ensures the contribution of maritime trade, which is vital to the world’s economy,” he pointed.

According to the Minister, over two million seafarers are continuously working to deliver 80 percent of global for the world’s 7.8 billion people.

“About 98,140 commercial vessels of 100 gross tons and above, equivalent to a capacity of 2.06 billion dead-weight tonnage, move close to 12 billion tones of trade.

“Without seafarers, the flow of vital goods, services and global commerce would grind to a halt, Sustainable Development Goals will not be met and post Covid -19 economic recovery will be impossible,” he noted.

The Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Thomas K. Alonsi in his welcome address called on government to make seafarers a priority in the vaccination of the populace against Covid-19.

“This is the least we can do for our gallant seafarers on whose shoulders the shipping industry as it is now and its future prospects rests,” he stressed.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Miss Benonita Bismarck in a statement read on her behalf also underscored the importance of focusing on the Seafarer in the 2021 celebration.

“This theme was crafted essentially because of the dire consequences seafarers have faced and continue to face in the wake of covid-19. Many seafarers were stranded on ships for months whilst others were unable to join ships, creating enormous hardships for seafarers and crew-change crisis for ships,” she pointed.

The Ghana Maritime Authority used the occasion to launch its news magazine called the Ghana Maritime Bulletin.