Seafaring ministry to extend reach across Africa and Asia

Mission to Seafarers has launched a new five-year-strategy to extend its pastoral care and welfare facilities to new ports around the world.

The next five years will see the ministry open up new facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Luanda, Maputo and Tanjung Pelepas, among other cities.

The change in focus from European ports to ports in Asia and South America is in response to the change in global shipping routes.

The ministry plans to scale down activity in declining ports where its services are no longer required and set up new bases in many of the rising Asian and South American shipping hubs that currently have little or no facilities for seafarers.

The new strategy was launched earlier in the month and is expected to cost around £1.5 million to implement.

Secretary General of Mission to Seafarers, the Rev Tom Heffer, said the move would enable the ministry to bring hope and support to the world’s seafarers.

“At the heart of our work is the promise that we should be where the seafarers are,” he said.

“There is no ‘one solution fits all’ fix. Turnaround times and the siting of ports vary across the world, but seafarers still look to the Mission to provide them with the services they desperately need.

“In some ports, a seafarers’ centre is the most effective way to respond. In others, an unmanned Portakabin, or a ship-visiting chaplain is the way forward.

“We remain committed to delivering maritime ministry to this uniquely vulnerable community of workers wherever it is required, and I hope that the church and the industry get behind us as we look to deliver these new and exciting ministries.”

There are 1.2 million registered seafarers in the world. Many of those from Africa and Asia choose the lonely and dangerous work onboard ships in order to provide a better life for their families back home, which often includes members of their extended family.

Mr Heffer said chaplains were there to offer a ’Good Samaritan Service’ to seafarers who still face the dangers of piracy, abandonment and hazardous weather.

“Seafarers routinely spend up to a year away from their loved ones, and in some countries cannot come ashore even when their ships dock because of port security,” said Mr Heffer.

“That’s why our chaplains and staff visit seafarers on board their ships, extending the hand of friendship and support to the men and women who crew the enormous vessels which bring over 90 per cent of everyday goods to this country.”