The International Seafarers' Welfare Awards 2014 have just been launched. For seafarers, the backbone of the industry, welfare services and facilities can be a life line when working away from home for long periods of time.

These awards recognise excellence in the provision of welfare services by shipping companies, welfare organisations, ports and individuals – on ship and on shore. They showcase good practice in the industry, and highlight the commitment and dedication shown by many – in the service to seafarers.

With nominations now open, we encourage seafarers to recognise those that have shown them exceptional service this year. The award categories are: Seafarers' Centre of the Year; Shipping Company of the Year; Port of the Year; and Welfare Personality of the Year.

The winners of the 2012/2013 International Seafarers Welfare awards were :

Shipping Company of the Year : Shell Shipping
Port of the Year : Kandla (India)
Seafarer Centre of the Year : Seafarers House, Port Everglades (USA)
Welfare Personality of the Year : Reverend Dennis Claughton (Australia) & Father Giacomo Martino (Italy)

Roger Harris, Executive Director, International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network said "Seafarers make a huge, often invisible, contribution to our societies. They deserve to have excellent welfare services and facilities wherever they are in the world. These awards recognise the considerable efforts that organisations and individuals make to meet the welfare needs of seafarers, and we hope that others are inspired to do more in this area."

The International Seafarers' Welfare Awards 2014 will be held at the International Labour Organisation in Geneva on 7 April 2014 and will be presented by Mr Guy Ryder, Director General of the ILO. The awards are organised by the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), and supported by the International Shipping Federation, International Transport Workers' Federation; International Christian Maritime Association; International Labour Organisation; the International Maritime Organisation; and Crewtoo.

Visit www.seafarerswelfareawards.org to find out more and to make a nomination.

Download posters, leaflets, & web banner from here

Further information is available from awards@iswan.org.uk