Seafarer’s Day is well known yearly on June 25. This international holiday is the official moment of recognition for staff at sea.
However, the historical narrative behind a particular date often goes unnoticed by the general public. This international day actually began within the Southeast Asian country.
The global celebration of Seafarer’s Day took place because of a global conference within the Philippines.
Diplomatic conference in Manila in 2010
The historic schedule began from June 21 to 25, 2010. Diplomatic delegates from 85 member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) participated on this international meeting.
The international convention was held in Manila, specifically on the Philippine International Convention Center. The event was organized and hosted by IMO.
The predominant goal of the meeting was to finalize a set of changes in legal provisions which might be extremely vital for maritime safety.
Manila Amendments
Delegates gathered specifically to update an outdated international maritime treaty. The agreement is referred to as the 1978 International Convention on the Training, Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW).
The 1978 Convention has been completely revised because the twenty first century maritime sector has moved towards automated digital technology. The old convention could now not guarantee the protection of seafarers in twenty first century shipping operations.
A significant update introduced within the 2010 amendments mandated a strict minimum of 10 hours of rest per day to combat exhaustion. The recent regulations also forced mandatory certificates of anti-piracy security and competence in modern navigation systems on electronic maps.
This change was crucial because 90% of worldwide trade relies solely on ocean-going ships. Without these stricter competence and rest standards, cargo ship accidents and marine pollution would increase dramatically. The outcome of those revised laws were called the Manila Amendments.
Why Manila became a decisive location
IMO selected Manila because the conference venue for strategic industry reasons. The Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of officers and crews to the international merchant navy.
The global shipping industry is basically supported by the skilled workforce from the Southeast Asian region. The geographical landscape made Manila probably the most suitable place to ratify the regulations governing the lives of seafarers.
Once the agreement was reached, all state delegates agreed that this milestone needs to be maintained. They desired to rejoice the adoption of those recent standards with a everlasting tribute.
Ratification of resolution 19
The tribute was formalized in the shape of a special international legal document called Resolution 19 regarding Seafarer’s Day. This document constitutes a proper international legal basis recognized throughout the world.
All national representatives agreed to this document on June 25, 2010. With the adoption of Resolution 19, the closing date of the Manila conference was officially designated as Seafarer’s Day.
The United Nations subsequently included June 25 on its official list of annual global observances.
Each yr, the theme of the Seafarer’s Day campaign changes to reflect the present dynamics of the maritime industry. For 2026, the IMO has introduced the official theme “Conducting global trade. Taking risks“to lift awareness of the conditions faced by seafarers in conflict situations.
The predominant theme of Seafarer’s Day 2026 is the growing escalation of geopolitical conflicts on several major global shipping routes. Armed tensions in maritime conflict zones double the risks to physical security and place severe psychological strain on the crews of merchant ships.
That’s why IMO calls on seafarers to indicate the opposite side of the ships they work on and the every day challenges they face. This movement goals to lift public awareness around the globe to offer concrete support for the protection and well-being of seafarers.
