The SPH said this topic was chosen to stress the role of shipping in and its contribution to the international economy as the most efficient, ecological and safest form of transport of goods.
According to figures provided by the Croatian association of international seafaring employers "Mare Nostrum", there were 14 shipping companies in Croatia with 184 ships at the end of 2004.
The union estimates that there are around 27,000 seafarers in Croatia and that a dozen persons are employed in shipping-related services per every seafarer, which means that a large number of Croats make their living from seafaring.
The union warns in its statement about a decreasing interest in seafaring and a decreasing number of students in maritime schools.
The Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development has announced for next year subsidies for internship programmes and scholarships for students studying for maritime professions.
In 2005 Croatia adopted a maritime code and accepted a proposal by the SPH to ratify international conventions on agency services in the employment of seafarers in foreign countries and on identification papers for seafarers.