Newcastle NSW in solidarity with seafarers

(Posted on 01/05/20)

Ship horns sounded across Newcastle Harbour, Australia at 1200 hrs on Friday 1 May in solidarity with seafarers on International Workers’ Day 2020.

The Port of Newcastle is a major Australian trade gateway handling 4,600 ship movements and 171 million tonnes of cargo each year. As the world’s leading coal export port, the Port of Newcastle has been handling an extensive variety of bulk cargoes for more than 200 years.

Port of Newcastle’s David Allan dredger will sound its horn as part of an International Chamber of Shipping initiative in partnership with its global network of national member associations and the International Transport Workers’ Federation and its 215 seafarers’ unions.

Seafarers play an important role in operating the ships that enable Australia to trade with the world.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has demonstrated how vital it is to maintain the flow of trade through the nation’s ports to ensure the Australian community has essential supplies and businesses can continue to import and export goods.

Seafarers are the ‘unsung heroes’ of global trade, making additional sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic, including spending longer at sea and having their movements restricted when in port.

By joining seafarers in sounding their horns, the port community is acknowledging the important role seafarers play in helping facilitate global trade and the sacrifices they make every day.

Other port stakeholders have also been invited to participate and are expected to join up to 14 commercial vessels in port that day in sounding their horns.

International Workers’ Day – or Workers’ Day, May Day or Labour Day – is recognised in many countries around the world to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution made by workers across the world.