Bimco Secretary General & CEO David Loosley told journalists that the first video had been a success, with 1.3 mln direct views and an audience of over 20 mln, spreading its message well beyond the usual reach of Bimco’s releases.
Seafarers Deserve Support was brought about in part by feedback on the first video after viewers wanted more detail and a focus on seafarers and the challenges they face .
Loosley encouraged companies to download, share and host the video to spread its message as far as possible. Bimco hopes the Seafarers Deserve Support will not only raise awareness, but bring action from those in power to support seafarers on important issues like vaccination, key worker status, and the threat of piracy.
“No seafarer deserves to risk being kidnapped while he or she is carrying out their job, and no seafarer deserves to be stuck at sea for 18 months while delivering everything that we need in our daily lives. It is time that governments step up in their support for seafarers,” said Loosley.
Bimco said it has plans for a third video later this year, with the subject to be confirmed, as the videos had proven an effective way of getting across tricky messages.