28 July 2022
RMT Press Office:
SEAFARERS Union RMT today commented on the Department for Transport’s latest statistics on ferry passenger numbers and port freight volumes for 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions continued to depress passenger and trade volumes.
Despite this, key worker seafarers and port staff contributed to a recovery from the depths of the 2020 pandemic depression.
Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary said: “These figures show the importance of seafarers, port workers and ferry services in national recovery from the pandemic.
Whilst 2021 passenger numbers were well below pre-pandemic levels, the signs of recovery are there on Irish Sea routes, at CalMac Ferries and the Isle of Man Steam Packet. We also saw a growth in domestic freight being moved by sea, which has the potential to create more jobs for local seafarers. Our members on P&O’s fleet were part of that recovery, especially on Cairnryan-Larne. Operators like P&O cannot be permitted to exploit these conditions and a national framework agreement to protect seafarers’ jobs and skills from further attacks is essential.
The unions remain in discussion with Government and employers over this agreement which must be in place during the summer season in order to prevent further disaster for seafarer jobs in the UK.”
Notes
Sea passenger stats: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/sea-passenger-statistics-spas
Port freight stats: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/port-freight-annual-statistics-2021/port-freight-annual-statistics-2021-overview-of-port-freight-statistics-and-useful-information
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Tagged with: Seafarers, Maritime, Ferry, Port Freight, Maritime Union, RMT
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