The International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) held its Annual General Meeting and Seminar on September 5-6, 2024, hosted generously by the MSC Group in Geneva, Switzerland. This annual event was a gathering of 25 participants from ICMA’s member societies, representing organizations dedicated to the service of seafarers, fishers, and their families across the globe.
The two-day event kicked off with a welcome lunch, provided by MSC Group, followed by the opening of the Members’ Meeting. The first session focused on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, and seafarers’ welfare. Beatriz Vacotto from the International Labour Organization (ILO) provided deep insights into the workings of the MLC, discussing its impact on seafarers’ rights and the role shipowners play in implementing these standards. Prof. Dr. Max Johns, a prominent figure in maritime management, also shared valuable perspectives on the role of shipowners in upholding the MLC. Phil Schifflin of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) updated participants on ICMA’s work with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ILO, emphasizing the organization’s continuous advocacy for seafarers’ rights.
After a coffee break, generously provided by MSC, the second session of the day focused on building ecumenism within ICMA. Led by Prof. Dr. Simon Benjamin, Dean of the Bossey Institute of the World Council of Churches, this session emphasized the importance of ecumenism in ICMA’s mission. Participants discussed how the vast diversity of Christian traditions can converge through mutual respect and shared goals, particularly when serving seafarers. This session was interactive, allowing participants to break into smaller groups to discuss how their organizations engage ecumenically.
The evening concluded with an ecumenical prayer at the historic Cathédrale St-Pierre of Geneva. Dcn. Paul Rosenblum, President of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), delivered a homily focused on love, the central message in the care and ministry to seafarers.
Day two began with a pivotal session—the ICMA Annual General Meeting. During this session, leadership of the association transitioned from Sara Baade of the Sailors’ Society to Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt of the Seamen’s Church Institute. Dr. Jason Zuidema also outlined the future programs of ICMA, highlighting upcoming training courses, regional meetings, and the announcement of the ICMA World Conference 2025, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain. Following this, MSC Group’s CEO, Soren Toft, gave a warm welcome and reiterated MSC’s commitment to seafarers’ welfare, stressing the vital role that seafarers’ welfare providers play globally.
The final session of the event featured short presentations from each member society, allowing representatives to share updates and the ongoing work of their respective missions. These presentations underscored the variety of challenges seafarers face around the world, as well as the diverse ways in which ICMA member societies are working to address those challenges.
The AGM and seminar concluded with a closing lunch, again provided by MSC Group, followed by a heartfelt thanks to the hosts and participants. A special thanks to Bud Darr and Stuart Inglis of MSC Group for helping coordinate the hospitality. Throughout the event, the ICMA members reflected on their shared mission to provide love and support to seafarers, overcoming differences in denomination and background to work together for a greater purpose.
Geneva, with its strong connections to international organizations such as the ILO and the World Council of Churches, served as the ideal backdrop for discussions on international cooperation, social justice, and ecumenism—all crucial to ICMA’s mission of serving those who work at sea. The generosity of MSC Group and the exchange of knowledge among ICMA’s diverse members ensured that the event was both fruitful and inspiring.
