MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

“Today, when the whole world as well as Georgia are struggling with a new global challenge, the global pandemic, a profession of a seafarer has become a key profession ion dealing with this difficult time,” – Natia Turnava, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development stated at the celebration ceremony dedicated to the celebration of the International Day of the Seafarer 2020.

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia opened the event.

As the Minister of Economy noted in her address to the seafarers, none of the Georgian ports stopped operation in any direction during the pandemic.

“Today, in the context of the global pandemic, we share special responsibility and we are facing this challenge brilliantly. Right now, in this difficult time, a seafarer has become a crusial profession, which has received a great deal of attention in the international arena. You were the first to introduce safety rules, which made Georgia not only a tourist-safe destination, but also a safe hub for all the seafarers. Our ports continue to operate 24 hours a day, which allowed to relatively soften these difficult days,” – Natia Turnava added.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of participation of Georgian seafarers in the processes repatriation and rotation.

“You represent us in a best possible way at the international arena. That is why we are fulfilling all our international obligations, including those within the framework of the Association Agreement with the European Union. Almost every commitment we have undertaken are already implemented and practically all the relevant directives have been introduced, which makes us very proud,” – the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development noted.

Natia Turnava noted that the US Government, Georgia’s strategic partner, is actively supporting and assisting the Government of Georgia to further develop this field and make it even more successful.

“Via the USAID program, our strategic partner, the US government, is financing the introduction of a single window service system in our port infrastructure to transform our country into a gateway to the Black Sea,” – Natia Turnava said.

Seafarers are Key Workers! – this is a slogan used by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the 2020 campaign and calls on member states to support seafarers and contribute to their rotation.

Georgia is one of the first countries to respond to the call of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and, on June 15, declared the seafarers to be Key Workers.

Within the framework of the event, the distinguished sailors will be awarded with an award for the special contribution to the development of the maritime field and an award by the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Award.

The Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development together with the private sector will fund the scholarship for 10 students of the Batumi State Maritime Academy and other maritime schools for the 2020-2021 academic year.