At the annual Mission to Seafarers Luncheon in June 2025, it was announced that Seafarer Connect will receive $50,000 in funding from the combined NSW Government and industry-backed NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund.
This new support will strengthen Seafarer Connect’s work providing free WiFi access for international seafarers visiting New South Wales ports. For crews who often spend months at sea with little or no communication, having reliable and free internet when they arrive in port can make an enormous difference.
Seafarer Connect is already available at most berths in Sydney, Newcastle and Port Kembla, but the funding will allow that footprint to expand and deliver next-generation technology to provide a faster, more resilient service to more concurrent active users aboard each ship.
Connection allows seafarers to call home, check in on family, access vital health and education resources, or simply carry out the daily tasks people ashore take for granted, like banking or staying up to date with world news. For many, it is a crucial link to normal life.
The NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund represents a unique collaboration between government, industry, and welfare organisations, and this latest grant recognises the essential role that internet access now plays in seafarer welfare.
Seafarer Connect, delivered by the Tas Bull Seafarers Foundation, continues to expand across Australian ports. With the support of partners like the NSW Seafarers Welfare Fund, the project is ensuring that seafarers arriving in Australia are welcomed with the connectivity they need and deserve.