June 09, 2026
Championing Seafarer Welfare on the Global Stage
The Seafarers’ Charity is engaging with global maritime leaders to ensure seafarer welfare is recognised as central to safety, resilience and a supportive work environment.
Posidonia Athens, Greece
As an official charity partner at Posidonia 2026, the first time in our history, The Seafarers’ Charity used the global gathering of the maritime community to deepen strategic partnerships, strengthen fundraising and industry engagement.
As the maritime sector faces increasing pressure from geopolitical instability, workforce challenges and growing scrutiny around sustainability, it was a strategic opportunity to reinforce a clear message to the international maritime community that investment in seafarer welfare is essential to the movement of goods, the functioning and sustainability of the global economy.
Held in Athens, from June 1-5, Posidonia brought together thousands of decision makers, businesses and maritime stakeholders from across the world, providing The Seafarers' Charity with a significant international platform to raise the profile of seafarers and highlight its role as a leading grant funder for maritime welfare services.
For us, our participation was beyond presence. It was an opportunity to connect with corporate partners, expand fundraising relationships and ensure the needs of seafarers and their families remain visible in conversations with stakeholders shaping the future of shipping.
Across the week, Business Development Director Temi Binitie met with corporate leaders across the sector to strengthen the support for seafarers with The Seafarers’ Charity’s work worldwide. The Charity’s presence extended beyond the exhibition floor and networking events, through the Posidonia Running Event. With five charity places, the running event was a valuable opportunity to bring fundraising, community participation and sector visibility together. Alongside WOMEN TOGTHER, The Seafarers’ Charity was able to raise awareness and funds. And align its message with wider industry conversations about inclusion, wellbeing and the people who keep global trade moving.
Every conversation, connection and fundraising effort helped to reinforce the reality that seafarers are essential to the functioning of the global economy, and they deserve stronger support in return. With The Seafarers’ Charity, you can create partnerships and investment needed to fund high-impact welfare initiatives that help seafarers and their families thrive.
To contribute to the fundraising click here.
Maritime Domain Awareness Summit – Vancouver, Canada
Canada hosted the Commonwealth Maritime Domain Awareness Summit on 3–4 June, bringing together 150+ senior leaders from the Navy and maritime sector, policymaking, diplomacy, and business innovators to forge deeper partnerships and drive practical interventions that strengthen maritime domain awareness across the Commonwealth.
Stella Aber, The Seafarers’ Charity’s Head of Programmes, met with maritime decision makers with a clear message: seafarer welfare and human factors are not peripheral issues — they belong at the heart of effective maritime safety.
Stella also conducted a fireside chat at the summit with Commodore Don Polo, Commander, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and met Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy, who expressed his support for The Seafarers’ Charity’s work.
Stella Aber with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy
Stella Aber with Commodore Don Polo, Chief of Defence Staff, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (Coast Guard)
Seafarer abandonment
In Vancouver, we were also delighted to show – for the first time – the trailer for The Seafarers’ Charity’s upcoming animated series on abandonment. Abandonment is a growing concern for thousands of seafarers and their families, affecting some 6000 mariners around the world.
The Seafarers’ Charity’s growing international commitment to being an active, visible and influential voice on global maritime welfare means you can meet with us at
Our Ocean Conference 11, and Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting Roundtable: Mombasa, Kenya
International Christian Maritime Association's Northern Europe Regional Meeting : Helsinki, Finland
