While the world celebrates Day of the Seafarer, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has launched ‘Salmeen,’ an initiative to provide care to seafarers and those working in the maritime sector with comfort and safety.
Salmeen strives to cater to the needs of seafarers, the one of the most important pillars of the maritime industry. The initiative contributes towards enhancing the quality of life for seafarers and overcoming the challenges they face due to the pandemic and travel restrictions.
As a key logistics hub, the UAE connects global shipping lines and receives the largest number of ships heading to the region’s ports with over 21,000 ships annually. 27,000+ local and international maritime companies work in the UAE with more than 17 million containers handled at the UAE ports each year.
UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Mr. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei speaking at the Event | Image Courtesy: WAM
These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of thousands of seafarers who arrive in the UAE waters on ships from all over the world.
With this in consideration, Salmeen presents a comprehensive framework that includes all the Ministry’s achievements to improve the quality of life, within the UAE Government excellence system to care for and support seafarers. The impact extends beyond the UAE, to the whole world that is linked by the global trade based on the shipping sector and its heroes of seafarers.
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei Minister Energy & Infrastructure UAE
“When we talk about the shipping sector in the UAE, we must recognise the influential role the UAE plays in the global maritime sector. The UAE is one of the best maritime hubs globally. Therefore; we introduce initiatives, laws and legislations that can develop the sector based on best practices, while taking care of the seafarers’ community who are key pillars of this industry, to help them overcome the challenges they face while performing their work. Launching the ‘Salmeen’ initiative in conjunction with the Day of Seafarers confirms our continuous support for seafarers and reflects our firm belief in the active role they play towards strengthening the role of the UAE as an unparalleled global maritime hub.”
The Minister of Energy & Infrastructure further added that, “Salmeen also strengthens the UAE’s position as one of the top countries in protecting the rights of seafarers, especially in such circumstances in which they played a prominent role in facing the impact of the pandemic on the global economy. Because of our role in the Ministry and our responsibility to put in place legislations and laws related to in the maritime sector, whilst we ensure compliance and implementation of these laws, we made sure that our legal system serves seafarers who significantly contribute to achieving the economic development of the UAE. The most recent of these achievements was the Cabinet’s decision regarding marine debris and violating ships, which obliges all ships carrying the UAE flag or sailing in its waters to ensure the rights of seafarers and provide their requirements.”
Key Pillars
The initiaitve’s key pillars aim to open the door for seafarers to get the support they need. This includes the best medical care, maritime education, training to build professional capabilities, as well as identifying and removing physical and social obstacles through effective cooperation between the public and private sectors.
This promotes the idea of empowering ‘Our Blue Army’, which aims to enhance the impact of qualified seafarers in the industry, to inspire the younger generations.
The Salmeen initiative will make all ship owners and maritime organizations responsible for supporting seafarers and providing them with full protection. The Ministry has in place an ongoing monitoring system to ensure the implementation of the laws and initiatives and turn them into results. Seafarers work around the clock to support business continuity and facilitate seaborne trade in the UAE. The initiative recognizes their dedication to work under all circumstances.
