Welcome to The Mission to Seafarers
Southern Ontario
The Shipping Industry
How often do you think about where everyday things come from—or how they got here? The mouse for your computer, the shoes on your feet, the mug for your coffee, or even the coffee in your mug? Over 90% of world trade is shipped by sea, yet this crucial process happens quietly in the background, invisible to most of us as we go about our daily lives.
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When COVID-19 led to supply chain disruptions, we were reminded just how essential shipping is for keeping store shelves stocked. Images of congested ports in California and the Suez Canal blockage underscored our reliance on ships to transport goods worldwide.
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But what about the seafarers behind the scenes? Many were unable to leave their ships for months during the pandemic, stranded just offshore but prohibited from disembarking. This was just one more challenge in a job already fraught with risks like piracy, shipwrecks, and abandonment.
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That’s where The Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario steps in. We provide emotional and spiritual care, address practical needs when possible, and ensure that seafarers know they are not forgotten.
What We Do
The Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario is an independent not-for-profit welfare organization operating in the Ports of Oshawa, Toronto, Hamilton and Port Colborne. With roots grounded in the values of the Anglican tradition, the Mission is a place to call home for seafarers visiting our ports of call. MTSSO extends a warm welcome to seafarers regardless of faith or background, and provides a variety of services including free Wi-Fi, local transportation, and pastoral care.
