An estimated 23,700 seafarers work in the UK shipping industry. Without them, and international seafarers, supermarket shelves would be empty within seven days.
“As we enter the run-up to Christmas, the busiest time of the year for the shipping industry, many of us will be opening presents brought here on ships,” said Jen Craft, Labour MP for Thurrock, addressing the UK parliament on 4 December 2025.
Craft called attention to the charities, such as Queen Victoria Seafarers Rest established in 1843, which are central to meeting the needs of seafarers arriving in UK ports.
The latest Seafarers Rest project, wrapping 3,000 Christmas presents for seafarers, is well under way, but it is just one of many services provided by its volunteers. They also provide port transport, free wi-fi, fresh food, host social events, and provide access to other services.
“Facilities like the Queen Victoria Seafarers Rest in my patch exist at only about 40% of all UK ports,” said Craft. “Where services are available, many face financial uncertainty. Meeting their running costs can be a challenge, with most sites needing £170 a day to keep the doors open.”
They are partially funded by the government and donations from shipping companies and port authorities, but largely they rely on their own fundraising efforts.
Craft says a small levy charged to vessels entering UK ports could be a game changer. “Just £50 per visit would make a significant difference. To put it in perspective, the cost of bringing a large ship into port often exceeds £100,000, so a small £50 donation would represent only a fraction of that cost.”
Throughout the country, 25 ports have already implemented voluntary schemes, with varying levels of success. Ships that often pay £100,000 or more in fees will regularly refuse to make a £25 donation.
Therefore, Craft points to countries such as New Zealand which have successfully legislated a port-based revenue stream. New Zealand pioneered the concept of setting aside some of the port fees it collects specifically for providing welfare services to seafarers during port calls. The nation’s levy system took effect from July 2024.
It’s a model that the UK and the rest of the world should follow to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), says Paul MacGillivary, a long-time seafarer welfare advocate and currently a Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) Global Ambassador in Australia.
“The health, wellbeing and recuperation of seafarers depends on 21st century funding for port welfare facilities,” says MacGillivary, whose advocacy was instrumental in bringing about the New Zealand solution. “The funding is used to provide services that help meet what is required under the MLC. This falls into the broad categories of communication services (Wi-Fi and telecommunications), information services, ship visits, shopping (for those crew not able to leave ship), money exchange, access and transport to welfare centres, transport services to and from town, and support for mental and physical health, well-being, and advocacy services.”
The concept of a mandatory levy is designed to support the work of charitable organisations. It doesn’t replace them or alter their compassionate approach to seafarer welfare.
Craft highlighted the impact these charities can have on seafarers: “While I was at the Seafarers Rest, one of the volunteers shared the story of a sea captain who came to visit. He was 17 the first time he went to sea, and he spent Christmas away from home. He was Norwegian, and he went to a similar set-up, not in this country but abroad, and was given a Christmas present. He still remembers it and still has the woolly hat that someone, somewhere knitted for him. He said it meant the world and lifted his spirits. So the efforts the volunteers put in do not go unnoticed, and we should all be grateful for what they do.”
MacGillivary and HRAS continue to advocate for ensuring their financial security.
ENDS.
*Hansard Record - Seafarers’ Welfare Volume 776: debated on Thursday 4 December 2025.
*UK Department for Transport 2024 Statistics (2025 Statistics to be released in February 2026).
In 2024, the number of UK seafarers active at sea by type was:
- 10,620 Certificated Officers
- 9,880 Ratings
- 1,700 Uncertificated Officers
- 1,500 Officer Cadets
Read More (Maritime Levy Campaign Australia)
- Maritime Levy Campaign
- New Zealand Government drives legislative change in support of Seafarers’ Centres
- HRAS Pursues Australian Legislative Change for Long-Term Maritime Levy Seafarer Support
- Expansion of Port Welfare Committees in Australia driven by the changing dynamics of seafarer care
- Strategies To Overcome Obstacles To Implementing A Maritime Welfare Levy In Australia For Assured Seafarer On-Shore Welfare Facilities
Source: Human Rights at Sea 2025. Reporting by Wendy Laursen.
AI. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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