Focus on seafarers

BAHRAIN'S General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) will stage the first Bahrain Maritime Festival on September 20-24 in support of World Maritime Day, the international celebration of the maritime industry.

Under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)'s 2010 theme of the 'Year of the Seafarer', the event will include activities specifically geared to past, current and future generations of Bahraini sea-goers.

It aims to spread greater awareness of the maritime industry and focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment, paying tribute to the 1.5 million seafarers all over the globe for their unique contribution to society and in recognition of the risks they shoulder in the execution of their duties in an often hostile environment.

IMO member countries normally hold celebratory programmes on a day of their choice during the specified week. Bahrain's initiative has been designed to spread out the festivities over a longer period in order to increase accessibility and allow for more activities to be held.

Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, chairman of GOP, said: "We are proud to announce our plans for the launch of the GOP's first maritime-themed festival to mark World Maritime Day 2010 and join the global initiative celebrating the 'Year of the Seafarer.

"Our aspiration is to hold BMF annually, each year customising the programme to fit the IMO's chosen theme for that year. While this year we have developed the activity line-up to target seafarers, we hope to build upon the event in the future and engage as broad an audience as possible.

"One of our key strategic objectives as laid out in our five-year plan is to position Bahrain as a global maritime centre, and BMF is an embodiment of an initiative which will aim to achieve this."

Activities have been designed to generate greater awareness of Bahrain's growing maritime industry among students, business executives and the general public.

The activities will include the 'Year of the Seafarer' awards ceremony which will be held under the patronage of Shaikh Daij. Long-serving Bahraini seafarers who have served for 20 years and above in the maritime industry will be honoured and presented with an award during a dedicated reception.

A public campaign has been launched to call for nominations with the intention to honour all eligible Bahraini seafarers, whether current or retired.

Another unique aspect of this initiative will be the 'Careers in Maritime' drive, complementing the IMO's ongoing 'Go to Sea' campaign. This will include a tour of universities conducted jointly by GOP and APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP).

Featuring a series of lectures, this tour will enable students to learn from the maritime industry practitioners who will share their experience and knowledge. The tour will aim to encourage more Bahraini students to pursue careers in the maritime industry.

Additionally, a Maritime Photography Exhibition will be held throughout the week which will be open to the public and will feature historic and contemporary sea-related images that will serve to capture the life of the seafarers at sea, and Bahrain's ever-evolving maritime landscape.

Finally, a Seafarers' Welfare Day is being organised by APMT to be held at the port especially for visiting seafarers. A special service offering free medical check-ups for all incoming seafarers will be provided and a blood donation campaign will be held for APMT and GOP staff members.