ALMOST 700 hampers are set to be delivered to merchant navy seafarers visiting southern Western Australian port as part of a combined effort to spread Christmas cheer.
Southern Ports has teamed up with its local Mission to Seafarers branches and as several of its customers and contractors to help provide the hampers.
Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks said the Christmas was usually a time for family, but seafarers are oceans away from their loved ones.
“The nature of the shipping industry means that it operates year-round without pausing for holidays and that means seafarers spend Christmas a long way from their communities,” he said.
“The hampers are a way of reminding the crews they are part of our community while visiting our ports at Albany, Esperance and Bunbury.
“Without the amazing sacrifices seafarers make, our industry and economies would come to a standstill so it’s important we take time to thank them whenever we can.”
At Esperance, Southern Ports continued its tradition coordinating hampers for seafarers with support from CBH Group, Mineral Resources, Gold Valley, Mission to Seafarers, Yilgarn Iron and Viva Energy Australia.
Whereas in Albany and Bunbury, Southern Ports collected donations of a range of treats from its teams and customers for hampers coordinated by the Mission to Seafarers.
“Our local Mission to Seafarers do tremendous work and we’re always thrilled to support their annual hamper drives in Albany and Bunbury,” Mr Wilks said.
More than 17,000 seafarers visited Southern Ports over the past year, playing a part in enabling more than 30 million tonnes of trade.
Through the support of Southern Ports, seafarers visiting the ports of Albany, Bunbury and Esperance have increased access to transport, better access to internet and improved respite opportunities.