The Ministry of Transport (MoT) on Sunday joined world maritime authorities in celebrating the Day of the Seafarer 2023, which falls on June 25 every year as per the International Maritime Organisation. The ministry organised a cycling ride, in conjunction with Rasen Adventure Shop and A13 Academy, from Wakra Bus Station to Hamad Port. The event was joined by several employees from the MoT and maritime transportation sector. As the ride arrived at Hamad Port, the berthed ships sounded their horns in celebration of the occasion. The Day of the Seafarer, according to a MoT statement, is celebrated to honour the vital contribution that seafarers make to global trade and the economy, and the efforts to support them. “MoT has made great strides in qualifying and developing maritime workers and professionals through numerous workshops and training to update their knowledge and skill sets with relation to international conventions concerned with maritime safety and security and environment protection,” the statement said. MoT also deployed many procedures to protect seafarers and maritime workers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar’s national carrier played a key role in evacuating stranded seafarers and operated hundreds of pre-scheduled and non-scheduled flights to bring more than 150,000 maritime workers back home. Hamad International Airport (HIA) also opened the special Mariner Lounge for those working aboard vessels and in maritime navigation and who travel via the HIA.