Trade unions representing seafarers in Asia at the recently-concluded 32nd Asian Seafarers Summit Meeting and the 24^th Asian-Norway Seafarers Conference in Kyoto, Japan agreed to establish a hotline to support regional seamen in case of emergency.

President of the trade union of the Viet Nam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) Le Phan Linh, who led the Vietnamese delegation to the events, told a reporter of Lao dong (Labour) daily that the hotline will update the moment an incident occurs as well as its developments to support seamen in distress.

Captain Tran Minh steers the Pacific Express.

The initiative was launched in the context of complicated maritime transport developments in many regions across the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific, he said, stressing Viet Nam’s active involvement in the formation of the hotline.

Participants also agreed to ask ship owners to ensure the interests of seafarers in distress, helping them feel more confident before going out to sea, Linh added.

The 32nd Asian Seafarers Summit Meeting and the 24th Asian-Norway Seafarers Conference gathered delegates from 17 trade unions representing seafarers in 12 Asian countries and those from Norway and several European countries.

(Source: VNA)