RightShip announces new donation to seafarers’ rights initiative
The third-party “due diligence” organization announced that they have donated to the Sustainable Shipping Initiative to advocate for the rights of seafarers impacted by the pandemic and the ongoing crew change crisis.
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas & Pacific Correspondent
According to RightShip, they announced a brand new development of the partnership they’ve maintained with the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI). To formalize this relationship, RightShip issued such a charitable donation to the SSI “Delivering on Seafarers’ Rights’ project as a part of a larger effort to focus on the ongoing human rights issues associated with shipping.
A press release notes that the project aims to enhance the support for seafarers who cannot access human and workers’ rights services. This is especially the case during the ongoing crew change crisis that occurred due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Institute for Human Rights and Business is co-leading the program with SSI. Overall the project is designed to “create a clear human rights code of conduct for the industry and due diligence guidance to strategically remove the systemic issues that presently generate welfare concerns for seafarers,” according to the same press statement.
“As a member of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, RightShip aims to contribute thought leadership together with a diverse range of stakeholders, canvass different perspectives, convene debate and feed into the ongoing and wider dialogue on human rights to ensure that we see an end to the unacceptable practices taking place at sea,” notes Steen Lund, the chief executive officer of RightShip.
Andrew Stephens, the executive director of SSI, said that he welcomed RightShip’s donation for the program.
“The human and labor rights risks seafarers face around the world go beyond the ongoing crew change crisis,” said Stephens. “We need to tackle the systemic challenges that have allowed this crisis to take place and ensure that seafarers’ rights are upheld and protected. We welcome the generous donation from RightShip to help us continue this work and look forward to working closely together to continue our collective journey to a sustainable shipping industry.”
David Peel, the general manager for RightShip, added similar remarks to those of Lund and Stephens.
“While it should not have taken a global pandemic for us to mandate a code of conduct for seafarers’ rights, this historic event has renewed the sense of urgency,” Peel said.
“Our seafarers are the lifeblood of our industry, it is no longer acceptable to have them facing physical or mental health risks.”
