The ETF Maritime Transport Section brings together 70 union organisations for seafarers in 33 countries and provides a European voice for the more than 272 000 seafarers we organise.
Our members democratically decide our policy positions and activities. Our strategic priorities are set by a Steering Committee, whose members are selected to ensure geographical balance and an equal representation of officers’ and ratings’ unions. In addition, the Maritime Transport Section is supported by the EU Committee, which works on EU-related topics and provides guidance for the work carried out in the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Maritime Transport. The ETF Secretariat in Brussels provides political and practical support.