The International Chamber of Shipping's director of employment affairs Natalie Shaw has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.
The awards are a part of the British honours system, presented annually in the name of the reigning monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II.
They mark the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
The awarded comes in recognition of Shaw's efforts to repatriate seafarers caught up in the ongoing Covid-19 crew crisis.
Chamber chairman Esben Poulsson said: "Natalie’s tireless efforts in championing the welfare of our seafarers over many years is well known, and this richly deserved award reflects these efforts."
At the peak of the crisis about 400,000 seafarers were stranded at sea by Covid-19 quarantine and travel restrictions, and forced to work beyond their contracted period. These included around 2,000 UK seafarers.
The ICS said Shaw's work had acted as a "lynchpin" for diplomatic, logistical and operational efforts to allow the free movement of seafarers.
In one example, she was active in the diplomatic efforts to secure the repatriation of Kiribati seafarers who were unable to return home for nearly two years.
Shaw said: "As a global sector, the support of the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organizations to ensure that seafarers' needs were placed on the international agenda, has been integral. I also pay tribute to those involved in practical support of seafarers over the last two years, including the unions, seafarers missions, shipping companies, and members of the International Maritime Health Association.”
Also in the Queen's New Year's Honours list, Mission to Seafarers' Jan Webber — who previously worked for the Sailors' Society — has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of 16 years of service to women and her charitable work.
Webber has raised $18.5m for the Mission to Seafarers charity since she joined in 2017. She hopes the award will inspire women to get involved in the shipping industry. "The industry often thinks of women in shipping as women on ships, but there are so many jobs shoreside that women do and which are important. The maritime industry is a fascinating community and I hope that through this award I can encourage other women to consider a rewarding shoreside career," said Webber.
