[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] The global maritime industry’s appreciation of the Anglican agency Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has been demonstrated by its selection for the second time this year as the featured charity of an international maritime event. The MtS was the designated charity of the Posidonia international conference and exhibition in Athens in June; and today it was announced that they will be the featured charity of the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) trade fair in Hamburg, Germany, next month.

SMM brings together representatives of the maritime industry and experts from all over the world every two years for a trade fair which showcases innovative developments and leading-edge technologies, and for discussions of the industry’s prospects. More than 2,100 exhibitors and around 50,000 visitors are expected to attend SMM, which is the leading international maritime trade fair.

“We are delighted that the Mission to Seafarers will be our featured guest charity in their 160th anniversary year,” SMM’s business director, Claus Ulrich Selbach, said. “The Mission’s work is vital in providing seafarers and their families with round the clock care and support in over 200 ports in 50 countries worldwide.

“Seafarers are the life-blood of the shipping industry. Without their dedication, skill and professionalism at every level, international trade simply could not function. The vast majority of ship owners and crew manning agencies are highly reputable and provide their seafarers with excellent working conditions. We encourage all our friends at SMM 2016 to speak to the Mission and be part of their inspirational story.”

The director of development at MtS, Jos Standerwick, said that they were “extremely grateful” to be designated as the event’s official charity. “Bringing together the world’s thought-leaders and decision-makers in the shipping industry is at the heart of SMM, and they have put together an outstanding and dynamic programme around the key themes of digitalisation, green shipping, maritime security and careers. All of these core subjects have a direct impact on seafarers and their families’ welfare, and the quality of the lives they lead.”

As part of its “official charity” designation, the MtS will have a stand near the exhibition’s central entrance and hope to explain who they are and how they can “motivate and energise” seafarers. The stand “will have plenty of information available for delegates and exhibitors to find out about what we do best, caring for the world’s 1.5 million men and women who crew the merchant fleet.”

Through its presence at SMM Hamburg 2016, the MtS is hoping to persuade some of the world’s biggest shipping and maritime companies to join its partnership projects for team building and corporate social responsibility programmes.