UAE-based perfumer, Salva, unveiled its new fragrance ‘Hope’ devoted to seafarers. Through this initiative, the brand aims to spread awareness about the plight of seafarers around the world and offer support to them.
From every sale, 50 per cent of the proceeds will be utilised to aid seafarers with the ‘hope’ of making their lives better and their future brighter.
Her Excellency Eng. Hessa Al Malek, President of Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA) and Founder of Salva, joined hands with Marasi News, a specialised maritime magazine and portal in the UAE, for this initiative that she is a staunch supporter of.
The seafarer crisis has always been a cause for concern in the maritime industry. The COVID-19 crisis has only amplified the challenges seafarers face, making this grave issue a humanitarian crisis.
In the early months of 2020, the news of stranded cruise ships became a commonly heard of event with seafarers being the most impacted group of maritime professionals. In June, the number of stranded seafarers was estimated to be 150,000. By September, this figure rose to 400,000.
Apart from the challenges that arose during the pandemic, over the years, seafarers have dealt with issues including delayed crew changes, strenuous work and extended work hours, at times even being stranded at sea for days. Maritime piracy, unpredictable weather conditions and difficult work environments are also some primary concerns.
Her Excellency Eng. Hessa Al Malek, said, “Approximately 80 per cent of world trade by volume is carried out by the maritime industry and at the helm of this crucial job is the army of seafarers, who are a significant part of the global maritime industry. Despite them being professionals who are critical to the operations in the industry, there is a long way to go in terms of safeguarding their interests.
“I can proudly say that ‘Hope’ is one of the first ‘Made in the UAE’ products dedicated to seafarers around the globe. I am confident that this endeavour will help to attract the attention of the world to the problems that these warriors face day in and day out.”