Literature
There is so much to learn of an industry that has the dubious distinction of being oblivious to the public despite its size. The shipping industry, for all its worth, does not seem to attract the glamour or charisma that airlines have. This is because there are few people traveling by sea these days. The only time people really look seaward is when they plan on going on a cruise. Even then, it is only the luxury cruise liners that are given prominence. I really don’t know whether the following will come as a shock or surprise, but many people are oblivious to the existence of cargo ships and their importance. This might come as a shock or surprise to many people, but not any people know that cargo ships are in fact the frontrunners in promoting trade and friendship. The shipping industry, especially the cargo sector, continues to be an enigma to most people who have no connection with the sea. Imagine people, who even live in port cities where there is constant shipping, being ignorant of the importance of cargo ships? In her book, Ninety Percent of Everything, George writes that when The Maritime Foundation, a charitable organization that promotes the interests of seafarers, made a video called ‘Unreported Ocean,’ it was done so with the intention of educating the public on sea trade. However, when the same charitable organization later asked the residents of Southampton, a sea port, as to how many goods did they think are transported by sea, they were responded by answers like “thirty-five percent?” and “Not a lot?. With so much security at ports and much of the activities within the ports oblivious to outsiders, there is bound to be curiosity for those who are interested in knowing more about ships and related activities, but for others, it is a convenience not to be distracted. Thus, one sees that the industry continues to move on without recognition. This view is expressed by George, the author of Ninety Percent of Everything, where she writes that she was not welcomed by shipping companies who maintained strict vigil on security, and it was only because of the warm gesture of the management of the Maersk group that she was allowed the privilege of getting a first-hand view of the life of seafarers and others aboard a working ship. Why does the industry maintain such high security that mandates it to stay away from the glare of public eye? Agreed, it could cause a lot of inconvenience to port operations, and it could be risky to the visitors and cause safety concerns, but there could be a mechanism put in place to address these concerns and make the industry open to the public. Unless something is done to make the ports open to public interest, there could be a time in the not too distant that could see the industry fade from public imagination.
George’s attempt to revive the interest can be commended, but does it help fulfill her desire to give back the industry its lost glory? I doubt it very much because, even though she has taken abnormal pains to reveal details about these huge ships, their crew and their lifestyles, how many people would have really read the book to understand the industry? Will the sea cargo industry fade into the history books and become story books for children to read and understand the way they do dinosaurs today? Appreciation must be given to George to attempt such a herculean task to imbibe interest in the public about this industry, but unless the people who run the business makes an attempt to become more people-friendly in their attitude, the shipping industry will remain a mystery. Yes, it’s true that terrorism is on the rise and security concerns must be addressed, but this is also the same at airports too. Piracy at sea is becoming a common phenomenon. In addition to theft, containers aboard such ships are also used to smuggle drugs and people. As George reported, the “U.S initiatives relating to cargo container security have been limited and generally ineffective for the international counter narcotics effort.” The same concerns are addressed by airport officials too and this doesn’t stop them from allowing people to come to airports, do they? Security has been strengthened and checking of people do happen, but that does not stop people from flying, and so, the same kind of restrictions and checks can also be initiated at ports too. This is the only way, the shipping industry will get the recognition it deserves for serving the people of the world in its quite, ubiquitous way.
Reference
George, R, (2012), Ninety Percent of Everything, Metropolitan Books, Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan, New York, p.2-47
