Please take a moment to check your email inbox and confirm your subscription to start receiving the latest news and updates.
SeaVoices interviews Brother Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
Climate change precipitates a host of effects. The seafarers now are facing more treacherous conditions at sea. Another concern looms large—can seafarers withstand the pressures and demands that come with the industry’s transition to greener practices?
The Maritime Just Transition Taskforce, inaugurated at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, is determined to ensure they can. The Taskforce is taking on the challenge of reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—while ensuring that no seafarers are left behind in the process.
This tripartite body, consisting of workers, employers, and UN organisations, governments, includes the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) as a founding member, alongside the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents shipowners and operators, and the UN Global Compact, which provides a governance framework integrating human rights, labor standards, and environmental stewardship.
Understanding “just transition”
The goal of a just transition is to ensure a fair and equitable shift toward sustainable practices.
Since its inception, the Taskforce has garnered more support from UN organisations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which have joined as formal partners. The Taskforce has also galvanised shipowners and operators as industry project partners, while the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), a public program partner, lends leadership and expertise in education and skills development. There is strength in numbers—bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise fosters greater synergy and paves the way for more effective solutions.
At the bargaining table, having more members on each side of the tripartite equation ensures better representation. However, the plurality of voices can also make consensus difficult to achieve, as stakeholders bring varying interests, priorities, and concerns.
The trade unionist’s role is to mediate these differences, advocating for the rights and well-being of seafarers while ensuring the industry stays on course to meet the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Seafarers prioritise the protection of their current roles, fair wages, and support in upskilling or retraining,” explains Brother Cotton.
“Shipping companies might support greener practices in principle, but they may resist changes that could lead to higher operational costs or require significant capital investment.
“Environmental groups lobby for environmental outcomes, advocating for the most stringent and immediate measures to reduce emissions, even if it means significant disruption to the industry.”
Striking a balance between environmental sustainability and social responsibility is a delicate task.
Protecting the safety, health, and livelihood of seafarers
Notwithstanding this, the dialogue must continue. Brother Stephen identifies another crucial group that he says, “we have to bring to the table to talk.”
Involving energy suppliers ensures that the entire value chain—from energy production to consumption—is aligned toward sustainability and safety goals. They are integral to planning, financing, and building new infrastructure, such as refueling stations for alternative fuels, electric charging ports, and supply chains for sustainable energy.
They can guide the safe handling of greener fuels—such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and ammonia—which are not without their risks. Ammonia, for instance, is highly toxic and poses significant safety risks to crew and nearby populations if inhaled or leaked into the environment.
“We want every seafarer to come home safely,” Brother Stephen emphasises.
The Taskforce launched a report that provides a clear picture of the scale of the challenge in upskilling the global seafaring workforce. The report details the number of seafarers who need training and the specific skills they need to acquire. These findings will inform concrete policy recommendations, helping governments and industry stakeholders understand what steps need to be taken. The ITF is lobbying for policies that ensure workers’ safety and job security during this transition, as well as fair and equitable access to training, especially for those in developing nations.
Brother Cotton explains that the ITF’s commitment to facilitating a just transition is deeply rooted in the legacy of two labor stalwarts: American labor leader, Tony Mazzocchi, and Sharon Burrow, the three-term General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
Mazzocchi raised awareness about occupational safety and health in US in the 1970s, laying the groundwork for workers’ rights to a safe workplace.
Burrow has been a tireless advocate for social justice, climate action, and the promotion of decent work.
“The challenges we face today in ensuring a just transition are not new,” Brother Cotton reflects. “They are part of a longstanding struggle to protect and uplift workers.”
“By persevering in our work today, we are not only pushing for progress in the face of climate change, but we are also paying homage to the passion and dedication of these leaders. Their legacy inspires us to continue fighting for our workers’’ wellbeing and rights, whatever the context or circumstances may be.”
Geopolitical headwinds and inertia
The ongoing Russian-Ukraine war has caused significant disruptions in global energy markets, with volatility in coal prices and soaring energy costs leading to inflation, economic slowdowns, and social unrest.
“Governments, particularly in the West, are now forced to prioritise short-term survival and energy security,” he explains, “and this shift has led to a temporary, if not extended, reliance on fossil fuels like coal, directly conflicting with their commitments to reduce carbon emissions.”
Brother Cotton shares another frustration. “It’s disheartening to see how much of the world’s wealth is tied up in the success of oil and gas. Stakeholders who are heavily invested in this system naturally resist changes that threaten their interests,” he says. “This transition won’t happen unless we make more concerted efforts to break free from these economic dependencies and incentivise investment in renewable energy.”
He emphasises the need for greater support, particularly for nations whose economies rely heavily on fossil fuels. “If we tell the Global South to stop extracting coal, oil, and gas, what alternatives have we provided them with? Yes, we have measures like the Green Climate Fund (GCF), but, honestly, more needs to be done. Technology transfer is crucial, and it’s frustrating to see it’s lagging behind.”
A unified path forward
Brother Cotton issues a rallying call. “We can only decarbonise shipping if we have the buy-in of all those with an interest in the future of the shipping supply chain. We need to move faster, and we need to move together, or we’ll miss the chance to make this transition a victorious one for everyone involved. The clock is ticking, and 2050 will be here sooner than you think.”
He has a reason to be optimistic. “We have invested years building affiliation networks around the world—the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union is a valued partner—and the spirit of comradeship will see us through.
“The ITF will continue to do what it does best: secure rights, equity and justice for workers globally.”
Lovely couples were dressed in their best for a romantic dinner date at Lighthouse Bistro on Valentine’s Day. The bistro was decorated...
Read More
SMOU is proud to announce the expansion of the Seafarers' Accommodation Scheme’s (SAS) network of partner accommodation providers! SMOU...
Read More
https://youtu.be/3DMlYkgGMFYNational Day has a special place in the heart of every Singaporean.While some may have taken the weekend before...
Read More
Lovely couples were dressed in their best for a romantic dinner date at Lighthouse Bistro on Valentine’s Day. The bistro was decorated...
Read More
SMOU is proud to announce the expansion of the Seafarers' Accommodation Scheme’s (SAS) network of partner accommodation providers! SMOU...
Read More
https://youtu.be/3DMlYkgGMFYNational Day has a special place in the heart of every Singaporean.While some may have taken the weekend before...
Read More