Why we must embrace cabotage

March 17 marked three years since one of the darkest days in modern British maritime history. Three years since 786 dedicated maritime professionals were escorted off their vessels by security guards wielding handcuffs, having been told via Zoom that their careers with P&O
Ferries were over.

No notice. No consultation. No dignity.

I still remember the shock waves that rippled through our maritime community that day. The outrage was palpable, crossing political divides and uniting the nation in condemnation. Yet for all the promises and tough talk from the previous government, precious few tangible protections emerged for seafarers in the following years.

By contrast, in just a matter of months, we have now witnessed the progression of the UK's Employment Rights Bill (ERB) — legislation that represents a genuinely generational shift in employment rights with significant positive implications for our members and all seafarers.

The ERB closes critical loopholes that P&O Ferries so callously exploited. It strengthens collective dismissal laws, requiring operators of foreign-flagged vessels with operational links to the UK to notify the UK government before dismissing 20 or more employees. It tackles 'fire and rehire' practices and doubles the maximum protective award available to employees at employment tribunals — making it harder for unscrupulous employers to simply 'price in' the cost of sacking workers.

The Seafarers Wages Act, which came into force last December after being delayed by the 2024 General Election, already requires most operators of a service with more than 120 UK port calls to pay their seafarers at least the equivalent of the UK National Minimum Wage. These are substantial steps forward, and the current government is delivering on its promises.

But our work is not finished. At Nautilus International, we continue to press for further protections to prevent any repeat of the P&O Ferries scandal. We want the directors of P&O Ferries held accountable for breaking the law.

We are also calling for powers that would allow the government and unions to take immediate, pre-emptive legal action against employers contemplating mass dismissals. We want to see sick pay, holiday pay, training and pension rights included in mandatory employment standards for all seafarers. We are advocating for a reduction in the threshold for these regulations to apply — from 120 to 52 UK port calls per year — ensuring that more seafarers benefit from these vital protections.

The maritime sector is the lifeblood of our island nation. The security, resilience and prosperity of the UK depend upon it.

Three years on from that shameful day, I remain as determined as ever to fight for the rights of maritime professionals. The progress we have made with this government represents a significant victory, but it is not the end of our campaign.

To our members at Nautilus International: your solidarity has been our strength. Together, we have begun to transform the landscape of seafarers' rights in the UK; whilst forging ahead with our work in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and in our global partnerships with the Nautilus Federation, European Transport Workers' Federation, and International Transport Workers' Federation. We will continue this vital work, to ensure that what happened three years ago cannot happen again, and by rebuilding a sector where skilled maritime professionals receive the respect, recognition and rewards they deserve.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and reflect on the victory that brought peace to Europe,we must ensure that the extraordinary contribution of seafarers is never forgotten. These maritime workers were not soldiers by choice, but they became soldiers overnight – defending our nations, our security, and our very way of life.

Over 30,000 British seafarers and 3,300 Dutch merchant mariners made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War. These staggering numbers does not account for the allied losses and the brave seafarers from Commonwealth countries who stood alongside Europe in its hour of need. In an instant, Merchant Navy seafarers transformed from civilian workers to frontline defenders, facing incredible risks they never signed up for.

The cost was immense. These men and women didn’t choose a military career, yet they found themselves thrust into a conflict that demanded extraordinary courage. From the bustling ports of Rotterdam to the critical shipping lanes of the Atlantic, inland waterway workers and maritime professionals became integral to the war effort – their roles often overlooked but critically important.

This transformation speaks to the fundamental character of maritime workers – adaptable, resilient, and deeply committed to serving their countries. They were not just moving goods; they were moving hope, sustenance, and the lifeline of nations fighting for survival.

Today, organisations like ours continue the legacy of the unions that came before us. In the Netherlands,commemorations on 4 May honour these brave individuals, including inland waterway members whose wartime contributions have long been hidden from history. Here in the UK, our 'Victory in Europe Day' on 8 May each year reminds us of the profound sacrifices made by those who came before us.

When we speak of wartime heroism, too often the narrative focuses solely on the armed forces. Yet our seafarers were fighting a different but equally vital battle.

Navigating treacherous waters, facing constant threat from enemy submarines and aircraft, these maritime workers played a crucial role in transporting vital supplies, troops, and equipment.

We shall never forget them. We shall never forget the role seafarers played in sustaining Europe during its hour of need.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, let this be a reminder that maritime workers have always been – and continue to be – key workers and the backbone of Europe's security and resilience. Their story is one of unexpected heroism, of ordinary people doing extraordinary things when their countries needed them most.

The 2026 elections to the Council of Nautilus International are fast approaching, and I am writing to you with a simple but crucial message: your Union needs you to step forward and make your voice heard.

We are opening nominations early because we want to maximise every opportunity for member engagement. This isn't just about ticking boxes or following procedures – it's about ensuring the Council truly represents the extraordinary diversity of its membership across the UK, Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Let me be clear: diversity on the Council isn't just nice to have, it's essential for our success. The rules and regulation of Nautilus require us to have a governing body that looks and feels like the membership, covering navigators including ship masters, engineers and other technical ranks, ratings, inland waterways, and those working shore-side in the maritime industry. But beyond these requirements, we desperately need more women, more young people, and industry representatives who reflect the full rainbow that is the modern Merchant Navy and shipping industry.

The Council is the heart of the Union. Without members engaged and serving on the Council, representing all members in the maritime industry, we would be nothing. We are fundamentally a democratic organisation – led by the members. That's not just rhetoric. It is the principle that drives everything we do.

When you bring your lived work experiences to the table, you ensure we are addressing the real challenges facing members today, not what we think those challenges might be from our offices. Crucially, you hold me and my colleagues in the secretariat to account. That's not just welcomed – it's essential for good governance and proper oversight.

Standing for the Council couldn't be simpler. You need to be a full member in good financial standing and there must be a vacancy in a category relevant for you – that's it. The nomination process is entirely online, straightforward, and designed to be accessible. If we need a ballot, which only happens when we have more candidates than vacancies, that will run from January through to 22 April 2026, with results declared on 24 April.

But here's what I really want you to understand: this isn't about you having vast amounts of relevant experience or having all the answers. It's about bringing your perspective, your experiences and the challenges you have faced, your ideas for solutions.

The maritime industry is changing rapidly. Automation, environmental regulations, crew welfare challenges, and evolving trade patterns all demand fresh thinking and diverse perspectives. We need members of the Council who understand these challenges firsthand, not just from reports and briefings.

So, I'm asking you directly: will you consider standing? Will you help ensure that the Council reflects the full breadth of our magnificent membership? Will you be part of driving Nautilus International forward into a future that works for all maritime professionals?

Don't let this opportunity slip by. Your Union needs you, your colleagues need you, and frankly, the future of our industry needs you too.

● to stand for the Council, submit your nomination at: mi-vote.com/secure/nautilusint

I recently had the honour of addressing TUC Congress the first seafarer to serve as TUC president since 1958.

Standing at that podium, I was reminded of a fundamental truth: our struggles as seafarers are part of something much bigger.

When I started my sea going career as a 16-year-old navigating cadet with the Bank Line, the first thing I did was join a trade union. That decision connected me to a movement that would shape not just my career, but also to the lives of working people across Britain and beyond.

That's what the TUC in the UK, the FNV in the Netherlands and the SGB in Switzerland represent: whether you're navigating the Pacific or working in a hospital ward or in a school, when we stand together, we're infinitely stronger.

The power of unity

I recently had the honour of addressing TUC Congress the first seafarer to serve as TUC president since 1958.

My address marked 45 years since the MV Derbyshire tragedy when 42 seafarers and two partners lost their lives and the authorities refused to investigate the circumstances of the sinking. It was trade union action that found the truth. An ITF-funded expedition to locate the wreck forced a reopened
formal inquiry, and discovered design flaws that had claimed many more lives.
That investigation didn't just deliver justice for those families – it forced changes to bulk carrier design and operations worldwide, saving countless lives since.

Working at sea gives us unique understanding of how interconnected our world is. The ILO's Maritime Labour Convention – protecting 1.5 million seafarers worldwide – came from decades of union campaigning. During Covid-19, when seafarers kept global supply chains moving whilst stranded aboard ships, union action secured recognition for seafarers as key workers.

Why solidarity matters

As I prepare to step down as general secretary next May after 17 years at the helm, I'm struck by how far we've come together. Nautilus has become the world's first truly international union, organising across borders in a global industry.

The values I spoke about at the TUC Congress – equality, fairness, justice, dignity, internationalism and solidarity – aren't just words. They're principles that guide everything we do.

In the UK, with new employment rights coming, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen workers' voices. But whatever happens with any government, whether in the UK, Netherlands or Switzerland, trades unions remain powerful
agents of change – the world's largest democratic movement of working people.

Our individual voice might seem small against the vast challenges facing our industry – from the trials of AI and automation to climate change, crew welfare and unfair employment practices. But together we are far from powerless.

The solidarity I witnessed at the TUC Congress – unions united in a common cause – mirrors what we achieve when Nautilus members stand together.

Whether we're negotiating better conditions, campaigning for maritime safety improvements, or supporting members facing difficulties, our collective strength makes the difference.

Whether you're on a tanker or a containership in international waters, working in our ports, on our lifeline ferry services, cruise ships, or Europe's inland waterways, you're part of something bigger. You're part of a movement that understands a simple truth: workers will always be stronger together, in a union, and working in partnership with good employers, to engage in collective bargaining.

That's why your membership in Nautilus matters. That's why the ITF, ETF, IFSMA etc really matter. And that's why, after nearly five decades in maritime, I remain committed to the power of collective action.

Solidarity isn't just a word – it's the force that changes lives, saves lives, and builds a fairer world for working people everywhere.