Our key takeaway: Much of our global economy relies on the maritime sector: an estimated 90% of global trade is facilitated by ocean transport, employing around 1.6 million commercial seafarers working at sea. Meanwhile, around 38 million people work in fisheries, and many others work at sea in sectors like offshore oil, gas and renewable industries, tourism, and other activities. However, the structure of the sector poses serious human rights risks to workers and to others (e.g., migrants). To date, many of these risks have still not been adequately mapped, addressed, mitigated or remedied by the companies involved in the maritime sector. Human Rights At Sea points to a need for better awareness and implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights within the sector, identifying embedding and remedy as top areas that need more work from companies and other stakeholders.
Human Rights At Sea (HRAS) published a review of the maritime environment, All at Sea: Is the Global Maritime Sector Effective in Business & Human Rights Implementation? (October 2022). The report is a primer on human rights at sea, with a focus on recent developments: