​International Chamber of Shipping initiative seconded by all moored ships, by blowing their horn to celebrate Labor Day

The maritime sector blows its horn and enhances its role in global logistics and each domestic economy

• Toledo: "It is important to acknowledge the effort made by all sector workers on Labor Day, and for citizens to be aware of how produce reaches their homes"
  
   
• MITMA and Puertos del Estado have approved measures for cost savings and to generate liquidity in the port community, amounting to 350 million euros
  
   
  
   

05-01-2020 (Ministry of Transportation, Mobility and Urban Agenda). Ships moored at ports all over the world have blown their horns today to reclaim the crucial role they play in the maritime sector, ranging from macroeconomy associated to global logistic chains, to their positive impact on domestic economies. Lighthouse horns have also been heard along Spain's coastline.

The president of Puertos del Estado, Francisco Toledo, has seconded this initiative launched by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Association of Spanish Shipowners (ANAVE). In Castellón, along with the port's manager, Ana Ulloa, the president Mr. Toledo has affirmed that "it is important to recognize the effort made by all sector workers on Labor Day, in order for citizens to know and be aware of how produce reaches their homes, shops and industries".

"Sea people deserve our applause, even more so in the current state of alarm, as is the case of other sectors that are nearly always "invisible", such as healthcare, transportation, food, etc.", he indicated.

Toledo, who has highlighted the support provided by the Ministry of Transportation, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA) in applying  measures to help the maritime and port sector in these difficult circumstances, referred to stevedores, moorers, pilots, tug-operators, transfer operators, consignees, concessionaires, shipowners, sailors, various ministerial staff assigned to ports, the Port Authorities, Sasemar, Puertos del Estado… "We owe them all, and the rest of this large maritime family, our recognition and thanks as a society".

The strategic value of general interest ports in Spain is evidenced upon awareness of their role in world logistics, but also in each country's domestic economy.

Aware of this crucial role, MITMA and Puertos del Estado have approved various measures during the state of alarm to support the port community, entailing company savings of over one hundred million euros, generating liquidity through a deferral of payments (for at least six months), for a total of 250 million euros.

Overall, these support measures from MITMA and Puertos del Estado, in coordination with the Port Authorities, amounting to 350 million euros, will help the port community overcome the economic repercussions of the pandemic.

• GLOBAL DATA FOR THE SECTOR

According to ICS, there are more than 1.2 million seamen currently working to ensure a continuous worldwide supply of food, fuel and provisions.

During 2019, some 170,000 vessels passed through Spain's ports, carrying 37.4 million passengers and 565 million tons of cargo.