 |
| Photo Caption: The cover of Legal Protection of Seafarers: International Standards, Welfare, and Modern Maritime Ethics by Prof. Dr. Capt. Eddy Sumartono, DBA., Ph.D., features a merchant vessel alongside a judge’s gavel, symbolizing the intersection of maritime operations, legal authority, and justice for seafarers in the modern maritime era. |
Jakarta, 2025 - As 2025 draws to a close, Prof. Dr. Capt. Eddy Sumartono, DBA., Ph.D., marks a significant milestone in his academic and professional journey with the completion of his fifteenth book, Legal Protection of Seafarers: International Standards, Welfare, and Modern Maritime Ethics. This latest publication stands not only as a personal achievement, but also as a substantive contribution to global maritime discourse, placing the rights, dignity, and welfare of seafarers at the center of legal and ethical attention.
The maritime industry remains the backbone of international trade, sustaining global supply chains and economic stability. Yet behind this vital role lies a persistent paradox: while ships move the world, the men and women who operate them often work under intense pressure, facing long working hours, high safety risks, mental strain, and insufficient legal protection. Prof. Sumartono’s new book directly addresses this imbalance by offering a rigorous and human-centered examination of seafarers’ legal safeguards.
Structured in a clear and systematic manner, Legal Protection of Seafarers explores the international legal framework governing maritime labor, with particular emphasis on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. The discussion extends beyond regulatory compliance to encompass occupational safety and health, social welfare, and the ethical responsibilities of modern maritime governance. By integrating legal analysis with real-world maritime practice, the book bridges the gap between normative standards and operational realities.
One of the defining strengths of this work lies in the author’s unique professional background. Prof. Sumartono combines the perspectives of an experienced seafarer, a maritime professional, and a seasoned academic. This multidimensional approach allows him to address complex legal issues with both analytical depth and practical insight. As a result, the book speaks effectively to a broad audience, including active seafarers, maritime cadets, university students, legal practitioners, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
The book also engages with critical and often underexamined issues such as fatigue at sea, psychological stress, substandard working conditions, and the criminalization of seafarers. Rather than merely documenting these challenges, Prof. Sumartono situates them within a balanced legal and humanitarian framework, emphasizing the need for justice, accountability, and ethical responsibility. His argument is unequivocal: protecting seafarers is not an optional policy choice, but a fundamental obligation that underpins the sustainability of the maritime industry.
Beyond its academic value, this publication serves as a practical guide for maritime authorities and institutions. Flag states, port authorities, shipping companies, and crewing agencies are reminded of their shared responsibility to ensure that international standards are meaningfully implemented. In this sense, the book functions as both a reference and a call to action, urging stakeholders to move from formal compliance toward genuine protection.
Within maritime education, this fifteenth work is poised to become a key reference for courses in maritime law and policy, particularly in regions where access to comprehensive and context-sensitive literature remains limited. For the general public, the book offers a rare and accessible insight into the human dimension of global shipping, encouraging greater awareness of the social justice issues embedded in maritime operations.
With this latest publication, Prof. Dr. Capt. Eddy Sumartono reaffirms his long-standing commitment to advancing a maritime sector grounded in legality, ethics, and humanity. Concluding 2025 with this landmark contribution, he delivers a powerful reminder that the future of global shipping depends not only on technological progress and economic efficiency, but also on the protection and dignity of those who serve at sea.
*****
Press Release,.
