Associated British Ports, the UK’s largest and leading port operator, has  announced a measure to further strengthen financial support for seafarer welfare facilities at its ports.

For several years ABP’s Humber ports have had a positive default function in their vessel booking system (PAVIS) to allow shipping agents to pay an optional contribution in support of the work of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and its constituent charities.

ABP has now committed to extend this positive default across ABP’s industry leading network of 21 ports all around Britain, allowing agents booking vessels into other ABP ports a simple opportunity to contribute to the MNWB and much-valued seafarer welfare facilities. This change will take effect from 1 January 2025.

Adam Northover, ABP’s Marine Designated Person and the company’s technical lead for marine matters said: “In the modern marine environment where ships are facing shorter turnarounds and smaller crews it is not always possible for seafarers – the unsung heroes behind the 95% of UK trade that moves by water – to get ashore or take shore leave. This makes the work of the charities and seafarer centres even more important to the welfare of seafarers visiting our ports. We are proud that the seafarer welfare facilities in the Humber that have been supported by a positive default contribution have been used as examples by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. We are delighted to be extending this easy way for the shipping industry to support this crucial work.”

Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “I have said before that we will not leave seafarers behind, and I am delighted to see ABP strengthen their support for the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and its charities. Seafarers deserve our upmost respect and it is great to see the positive default contribution for welfare facilities be extended to ports across the country.”

Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of the MNWB, welcomed the initiative by ABP. He said: “As the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, appointed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), MNWB is the umbrella charity for the maritime charity sector. Our 47 constituent charities work tirelessly to ensure that seafarers and fishers have access to the best possible welfare facilities in UK ports. Our Port Welfare Committees are the front line of welfare development and play a vital role in securing the wellbeing of all seafarers.

“With 45 seafarers’ centres, around 400 welfare workers, a fleet of over 70 vehicles for seafarer transport and WiFi and mobile broadband services, the UK’s welfare charities are proud to support crew visiting UK ports and grateful to ABP for extending this to 21 of its ports. Our hope is that other port owners will follow and introduce their own welfare levy schemes in the near future.”

The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) is a UK charity that coordinates and promotes the welfare of seafarers including those in the merchant navy and fishing fleets. It supports port welfare committees, advises and coordinates welfare efforts, and provides funding and grants in support of welfare organisations and port welfare services. It oversees a network of 15 Port Welfare Committees (PWCs), and a National Seafarers’ Welfare Board in Gibraltar, that focus on improving welfare provision in the ports they represent.

The PWCs include members from the MCA, Port Health, unions, shipowners and agents, port owners, and welfare charities, making them an effective body for positive change in ports. A leading national maritime charity supporting the maritime welfare sector, they rely on contributions from the industry to deliver their vital work.

The change to a positive default will take effect from 1 January 2025. It is hoped that organisations will support this worthwhile cause, but they can opt out in PAVIS should they wish not to pay.