UAE MOEI honours director of ‘Mission to Seafarers’

DUBAI: As part of the ‘Supporting our Blue Army’ initiative, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure honoured Andy Bowerman, Regional Director for Middle East & South Asia, Mission to Seafarers.

This was in recognition of his efforts and achievements in supporting seafarers and following up on their needs during his tenure in the UAE, which is nearing completion.

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, Ministry of Energy and

Infrastructure, commended the efforts of Mission to Seafarers, a not-for-profit organisation that offers emergency assistance and practical support to ship crews.

She praised Bowerman for his efforts in terms of caring for seafarers and providing support to them, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Almaleksaid,“takingcareofourseafarersworking onboardshipsisoneoftheprimaryresponsibilitiesof the maritime transport industry. The UAE has always been one of the pioneering countries in ensuring the welfare of the seafarers’ community. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has launched many initiativesthatsupportseafarers,includingthe‘supporting our Blue Army’ initiative, which aims to improve the quality of our seafarers’ lives while they are within the premisesoftheuae.theinitiativeprotectsseafarers’ rights with ship owners and operating companies, as well as helps seafarers overcome their challenges. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UAE has taken a step forward by classifying seafarers as ‘priority workers’ as they have been on the front line since theonsetofthepandemic,providingcriticalservices despite challenging circumstances.”

Andy Bowerman, Regional Director for Middle East & South Asia, Mission to Seafarers said, “I would like to extend my gratitude to the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for this honour, and truly commend the Ministry’s efforts in providing support to seafarers and taking care of their affairs. Mission to Seafarers really appreciates the cooperation we havereceivedfromtheministry,especiallyduringthe unprecedented circumstances we faced during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The practices the UAE has adopted, and the laws and regulations it has issued, contribute to making it one of the leading countries worldwide in terms of working towards the welfare of seafarers by supporting them and protecting their rights.”