The General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP), which regulates Bahraini’s maritime and logistics zones, honoured more than 50 people who served the industry for 20 years or more.

The awards event was held during an event marking the International Day of the Seafarers, which fell yesterday (June 25).

GOP director general Hassan Al Majed said several initiatives had been taken over the last few years for the welfare of seafarers and to spread awareness of the seafaring community and the industry as a whole.

They include a state-of-the-art Seafarers Centre which was commissioned at the Khalifa bin Salman Port last year as part of those efforts.

"For this reason, we would like to encourage people to participate in the International Maritime Organisation's initiative this year, which is aimed at vocalising that recognition and appreciation through social media," said Al Majed.

"Bahrain has a deeply ingrained seafaring tradition, stretching back to the days of the pearl divers for which it is well known."

Bahrain International Seafarers Committee president Ali Haji said since the launch of the centre, more than 3,000 seafarers from different countries have visited the facility. – TradeArabia News Service