Statement of the International Executive Board
of the
International Association of Maritime Universities
at its 23rd session of the International Executive Board meeting
on 22-23 April 2026, Split, Croatia
On the circumstances of the day for the Maritime Workforce
Preamble:
Seafarers working in the global shipping fleet to enable trade and the economic prosperity
of all, face a unique set of challenges given the special circumstances of work and life at
sea. Beyond all else, all must be done to protect seafarers’ rights and ensure they are
treated with fairness and dignity across all jurisdictions.
Statement:
We, the members of the International Executive Board (IEB) of the International
Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU), being the representative board of the IAMU,
and its 82 Member Maritime Universities globally, the member universities of which
generate critical maritime research, and provide education and training for the Global
Maritime Professionals (GMP), notably the seafarers that make up the seagoing workforce
of the global shipping industry;
Note the increasing threats and risks extant at sea globally to seafarers of oceangoing
ships, and that these seafarers are working as professionals to facilitate global trade and
economic activity,
Express our deep concern for the safety and welfare of the many seafarers stranded by
conflict in the Gulf Region and facing increasing risks across the globe.
Further, we lend our strongest support to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO)
eUorts to make possible the safe passage of seafarers and to enable their reunion with
family and return to their home ports (countries) in the most expeditious manner in line with
their contracted service. The IEB of the IAMU supports the IMO’s safe-passage framework,
to protect lives and uphold freedoms of navigation, and to assure the safety of working
seafarers.
Signed by the Members of the IEB of IAMU
