This article by BIMCO President Paul Pathy was originally sent to the CEOs of all BIMCO member companies and organisations on 31 March 2026.
Events in the Middle East are once again reminding the world of a fundamental truth: global supply chains are not abstract systems. They are physical, exposed, and deeply intertwined with the wider world economy.
Disruption in one region now reverberates rapidly across markets, industries and societies. Energy flows, commodity prices, inflationary pressures and trade routes are all affected - not in theory, but in practice. Shipping sits at the centre of this system. When maritime trade is disrupted, the consequences are felt far beyond the sector itself.
Once again, we’ve seen how quickly ships and seafarers return to the headlines whenever geopolitics intrudes. Sadly, our seafarers are once again caught at the intersection of global politics and global commerce. They keep trade moving in times of stability - and they do so again when conditions deteriorate. Yet too often, they remain invisible until something goes wrong.
This is not new for us. And at moments like this, there is no better time to remind the world of a simple reality: shipping underpins the global economy, and seafarers make it possible.
That is why BIMCO has produced Fair Seas - a new short film designed to humanise seafarers and bring their reality into clearer focus. The film deliberately avoids statistics and slogans. Instead, it puts a human face to global trade, showing the pride, resilience and professionalism of the people who keep the world supplied.
We made this film because facts alone are no longer enough. Policymakers, media and the wider public increasingly respond to stories that connect with the human experience. Fair Seas is intended as a shared industry asset, a piece of storytelling that members and industry partners can use to reinforce their own messages about the value of shipping and the people behind it.
Your support now matters more than ever.
At this critical juncture, I encourage you to:
- Share Fair Seas through your corporate and personal channels
- Use the film in meetings, events, presentations and briefings
- Encourage colleagues, partners and stakeholders to repost and reference it
- Incorporate it into your own narratives about supply chains, resilience and global trade.
The wider and more coordinated the sharing, the stronger the collective signal, not just about shipping’s importance, but about the people who make it work.
Geopolitical uncertainty will continue to test the global system. When it does, our industry should be ready, not only with operational resilience, but with a clear, human story about why shipping matters.
Now is the time to tell it.
Paul Pathy,
BIMCO President