The world’s seaborne trade accounts for around 90% of the global trade.
Without shipping, there would be no global trade and the world would not be as close as it is now or as small as it is now in terms of movement of goods from one place to the other..
Over the years the seaborne trade has grown exponentially bringing along with it many benefits for businesses, consumers and the economies of the world..
As of 2016, the world fleet (number of registered commercial ships over 100 tons DWT – Dead Weight Tonnage) stood at
Ships = 49,223 ships
DWT (Dead Weight Tonnage) = 1,791,584,400 tons (that’s One Billion, Seven Hundred Ninety-one Million, Five Hundred Eighty-four Thousand, Four Hundred tons if you have to write in words)
The people that are responsible for maintaining, running and operating the above mentioned ships and tonnage are SEAFARERS
To mark the campaign this year, MacAndrews spoke with Captain Oleksandr MALAKHOVSKY, Master of m/v CMA CGM GOYA vessel which services our SCUK Spanish Service calling at ports in the UK, Spain and Netherlands.
- How did you first get involved in with the world of shipping ?
It was my time at a radio center of a Government shipping company where I worked as a radio operator. - What’s your first memory of your role at sea?
Mediterranean sea, small ships & short trips, rather long stays in ports. - How do you feel about the shipping / transport industry as a whole when it comes to safety ?
It has definitely improved drastically over the years, those on-board have great support from shore (the CMA CGM Group and MacAndrews) comparing with times of commercial and other pressures.
- What has surprised you most about working on a vessel ?
How long some folks can remain at sea… - What do you find most challenging about your role?
Responsibility, everyone leans on your shoulder. - What’s the best/worst thing to happen since you started working at sea? Best?
To be sure of tomorrow, financial stability…Worst? To be away from loved ones.. - What do you wish other people knew about the challenges of working at sea?
Be prepared to spend most of your life here.. - Tell me about some of the people you’ve met while working here on board a vessel?
Reliable, responsible, funny,tired…. - What might (someone) be surprised to know about you ?
I’ve never planned to spend so much time out to sea - What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the marine world ?
Think twice, and if you like a challenge, then this is for you! - If you weren’t in shipping, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like? Probably something to do with computers and in the sports arena……
- How would (someone) describe you ?
Influential and a patron for security at work! - What do you do when you aren’t at work/What are your hobbies/sport ?
When possible, I enjoy a bit if Powerlifting and Crossfit…. - you won the lottery, what would your first purchase be?
It would be a mansion to live in the Golden state.Every year on the 25th of June the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates DAY OF THE SEAFARER (DotS) to recognise the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole and to let the world know how and why #SeafarersMatter and are indispensable to everyone.
.
