A chorus of ship horns in solidarity with seafarers on International Workers’ Day
Ship horns will be sounded across Newcastle Harbour at 1200 hrs on Friday ( 1 May) in solidarity with seafarers on International Workers’ Day 2020.
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Ship horns will be sounded across Newcastle Harbour at 1200 hrs on Friday ( 1 May) in solidarity with seafarers on International Workers’ Day 2020.
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.
For more information please refer to the International Transport Federation (ITF) media release.
Port of Newcastle
Port of Newcastle is a major Australian trade gateway handling 4,600 ship movements and 171 million tonnes of cargo each year. With its annual trade worth about $25 billion to the New South Wales economy, the Port enables businesses across the state to successfully compete in international markets. With a deepwater shipping channel operating at 50% of its capacity, significant port land available and enviable access to national rail and road infrastructure, Port of Newcastle is positioned to further underpin the prosperity of the Hunter, NSW and Australia. As custodians of the region’s critical asset, Port of Newcastle is diversifying its trade as it strives to create a safe, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible Port that realises its potential.