Ahead of International Day of the Seafarer on 25 June, the second round of Seafarer Welfare Fund recipients was announced at the annual Mission to Seafarers Parliamentary Lunch, continuing vital investment for frontline organisations that support visiting maritime workers in New South Wales.
This year’s recipients of the five-year, $2.5 million agreement between Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports and Port of Newcastle were Mission to Seafarers Eden, Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla, Mission to Seafarers Sydney, Apostleship of the Sea Sydney / Stella Maris, Tas Bull Seafarers Foundation, Hunter Workers Rehabilitation and Counselling Service, and Mission to Seafarers Newcastle.
Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna announced the recipients on behalf of the fund at the lunch and said he was proud of the impact the fund had already made.
L-R. Mission to Seafarers Sydney CEO Clayton Strong, Port Authority CEO John McKenna, NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas, Port of Newcastle Executive Officer Marine & Operations Glen Hayward, Mission to Seafarers Newcastle Principal Chaplain Rev Garry Dodd.
“Our first year has demonstrated the enormous difference this fund makes to seafarers, who face some of the toughest working conditions in the world,” he said.
“Last year’s funding helped recipients hire additional staff and support significantly more seafarers with emergency care, mental health support, transport assistance, and communication access.
“Seafarers are the backbone of our global supply chain, and this fund shows our state’s leadership in maritime welfare, making sure they get the support they need and aren’t forgotten.”
Building on the success of the inaugural funding round, the Seafarer Welfare Fund will continue to strengthen frontline services. Last year, Mission to Seafarers Sydney more than doubled its ship visits providing compassionate chaplaincy services, while the Newcastle branch restored seven-day operations with increased staff.
In Port Kembla, Mission to Seafarers boosted transport services and partnered with the Lake Illawarra Cricket Club, providing transport services to watch matches and play at the ground, supporting seafarers’ mental health. Stella Maris Sydney has continued its vital outreach, ensuring access to hospitality, transport, and essential care items.
CEO of NSW Ports Marika Calfas said she looked forward to seeing the continued success of the program.
“We are proud to once again support initiatives and projects which enable these organisations to continue the wonderful work they do for seafarers visiting our ports,” Ms Calfas said.
“The Seafarer Welfare Fund provides us all with an opportunity to come together as a port community and ensure visiting seafarers have access to the support and resources they need to make their stay a welcoming and positive one.”
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody echoed the sentiment, highlighting the vital role the fund plays in safeguarding the wellbeing of visiting seafarers in NSW.
“Our economy relies on the hard work of visiting seafarers, and the Seafarer Welfare Fund continues to provide the assistance and support they need when they dock in NSW,” he said.
“By joining forces as an industry, we’ve built a sustainable model that sets a suitable standard of how these maritime workers are cared for.”
L-R: Mission to Seafarers Sydney CEO Clayton Strong, Mission to Seafarers Sydney Chair Robert Dunn, Port Authority CEO John McKenna, NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas, Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla Chair Tony Willis, Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla Principal Chaplain John Kewa
About the Seafarer Welfare Fund
The contributing parties to the Fund include Port Authority (60%), NSW Ports (20%), Port of Newcastle (PoN) (20%).
The fund aims to support long-term provision of services, projects, and programs for NSW’s seafarer workforce. This includes the delivery of a range of initiatives from providing critical communications, transportation, accommodation, recreational activities, and mental health and wellbeing support to visiting seafarers.
Financial Contribution: $2.5million over 5 years from contributing parties under a partnership agreement where the maritime industry is giving back to support its own.
PANSW, NSWP and PoN established a Joint Committee to oversee and administer the funding for the Seafarer Welfare Fund, which it is hoped will grow as further maritime organisations join.
Ten proposals were received from seven organisations for Round 2 2025 funding.
The Joint Committee considered the proposals and agreed to award funding to all applicants, which clearly demonstrated how they will enhance seafarer welfare in NSW.
The successful applicants sought funding to support their most critical and unfunded needs which included operational expenses, the employment of a bus driver, Chaplain, Pastoral care worker, and wifi units.
The next Round of Funding will open in 2026.
About Port Authority of NSW
Port Authority of New South Wales manages the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle Harbour, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba.
About NSW Ports
NSW Ports manages Port Botany and Port Kembla, which together handle millions of tonnes of diversified trade each year. NSW Ports also manages the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre and Cooks River Intermodal Terminal. With direct rail links to Port Botany, these intermodal hubs play a key role in supporting NSW’s freight task and help reduce the growth of truck movements on Sydney roads.
About Port of Newcastle
Port of Newcastle is Australia’s deepwater global gateway, the largest on the nation’s East Coast. With trade worth about $48 billion passing through the Port annually. Port of Newcastle enables Australian businesses to successfully compete in international markets.
