ICMA is delighted that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has designated 2010 as International Year of the Seafarer.

As part of our celebration of the lives of seafarers, ICMA has worked with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and other partners in seafarers’ welfare to produce a calendar. We are proud that the striking photographs of seafarers that feature in the calendar were taken by port chaplain Dirk Obermann of ICMA member Deutsche Seemannsmission.

Click here to download your free copy of the 2010 calendar

Click here to read more about our plans for the year ahead

November 27th, 2009 | Category: News, Year of the Seafarer | Comments Off

ICMA West Africa regional conference, 25-28 January 2010

West Africa opening ceremony

Chaplains, ship visitors, volunteer welfare workers and seafarers’ centre staff from West Africa gathered in Grand Bassam, Cote D’Ivoire, for the ICMA West Africa Regional Conference. This joint conference was also attended by members of the International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW), port and national welfare boards, union representatives and officials from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). More than 40 people attended this three day event.

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February 4th, 2010 | Category: Conferences, Meetings | Comments Off

Ministry in the Mediterranean

Fr Paul (back row, 2nd left) with crew after Mass onboard

The tiny but densely-populated Mediterranean state of Malta has a noble of history as a place of refuge for those who travel by sea. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St Paul was shipwrecked there. These days, visiting seafarers receive pastoral care from Fr Paul Attard and his team based in the port of Valletta. Fr Attard, of ICMA member AOS, regularly visits ships and says Mass for the crew.

The chaplaincy team is also onhand to help seafarers in difficulty. Recently they have been supporting a Filipino seafarer who is in hospital. The seafarer was taken ill at sea and rushed to Malta by helicopter for open heart surgery. Fr Attard and his colleagues provided support when the seafarer’s son arrived from the Philippines to visit him.

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February 4th, 2010 | Category: Ministry | Comments Off

Fr Anthony and a guest at the gathering

A celebration with new sarees!

As part of its maritime ministry, ICMA member Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) works with fishing communities in India. Fr Anthony Baliswamy, AOS chaplain in the port of Chennai, was involved in relief work among fishing communities devasted by the tsunami of December 2004.

At Christmas 2009, over 400 fisherwomen from the Chennai coast, and their children, attended a gathering organised by AOS. The women received new sarees and gifts were also given to their children.

January 29th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off

An information leaflet makes the case for ratification

Members of AOS Australia at the AOS world congress in Gdynia

The Australian section of ICMA member Apostleship of the Sea is pressing for the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. An information leaflet has been produced about the Convention which will be sent to parishes and to the media. The leaflet includes a sample letter which supporters are encouraged to send to the Australian Prime Minister.

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January 29th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off