As the global maritime community commemorated the Day of the Seafarer, mariner and research journalist Mujahid Al-Ibenu paid tribute to seafarers across the world, describing mariners as the silent backbone of global commerce and indispensable drivers of international trade.
In his message marking the occasion, Al-Ibenu emphasised that global trade remains heavily dependent on the maritime sector, with sailors and seafarers playing critical roles in sustaining supply chains, facilitating international commerce, and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods across continents.
According to Al-Ibenu, more than 80 percent of global trade by volume is transported through sea routes, making the contribution of mariners central to global economic growth, trade stability, and international development.
“Mariners remain among the most strategic yet underappreciated professionals in the global economy,” Al-Ibenu stated. “From energy transportation to food supply chains and industrial logistics, the work of seafarers remains vital to the functioning of modern society.”
He noted that despite the strategic importance of the profession, sailors often operate under demanding conditions, including extended periods away from family, occupational hazards, security risks, and the mental demands associated with life at sea.
