The UAE has collaborated with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to support the cause of seafarers’ welfare. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE has been ensuring all possible efforts to guarantee the rights of Seafarers. The UAE's efforts have helped the seafarers in enhancing their lives and overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic and travel restrictions.

A leading logistics hub linking global shipping lines, the UAE has a significant share of ships that call on the region’s ports. They operate more than 21,000 ships every year.

More than 20,000 local and international maritime companies operating in the country, over 17 million containers are handled in the Emirati ports on an annual basis. These achievements have taken place with the continuous dedication of thousands of seafarers from all over the world who work at the UAE’s waters on-board ships.

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, hailed seafarers as the lifeline of the industry. The UAE was one of the first International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States to recognise the efforts of seafarers as frontline workers during the peace of the pandemic crisis. The UAE has also supported seafarers with the provision of safe ship crew change, repatriation, vaccination facilities and access to medical care.

"They are the one the frontlines, facing every calamity and natural disaster and connecting the world via sea routes," Al Malek said.

The UAE also launched the ‘Supporting our Blue Army’ initiative to boost the protection of seafarers’ rights and welfare as well as improve their quality of life in the country. The initiative ensures protection of the rights of seafarers with ship owners and companies.

Mohammed Khamis Al Kaabi, UAE Permanent Representative at the IMO, hailed the initiatives launched by the UAE to protect and provide benefits to thousands of seafarers.

"The UAE will be the international benchmark for ensuring the welfare of seafarers and their rights. Ships that violate the rights of seafarers will not be able to enter the UAE waters, and therefore will not be part of the regional trade centre and the global supply chain and logistics services," Al Kaabi added

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE facilitated a safe exchange of more than 240,00 seafarers along with the provision of necessary medical care and free COVID-19 vaccines.