Search Results

An ILO report reveals that 6.5% of deaths on merchant ships are confirmed suicides, while 22% are unexplained disappearances that could hide more tragedies The numbers are chilling.  Of the 403 cargo crew members who died in 2023 worldwide, 26 committed suicide and another 91 mysteriously disappeared overboard. These data, collected in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) first global report on cargo ship mortality, reveal a hidden reality behind ocean trade routes: 6.5% of deaths are verified suicides and a worrisome 22% are classified as mysterious disappearances that could cover up accidents, homicides or more self-inflicted deaths.   Flags of convenience: the hidden face of global trade Almost all the large freighters sailing around the world operate under flags of convenience. They are registered in countries such as Panama, Liberia or Cyprus, which do not have the real nationality of the shipping company, to benefit from tax advantages and, above all, more lax labour regulations: minimum wages, endless working hours and insufficient rest.   As the vessels are governed by the labour regulations of the country in which they are registered, seafarers' salaries vary between 658 and 1,400 euros per month. The lowest figure is the minimum wage set by the ILO Joint Maritime Commission. In the vast majority of cases, these seamen of oil tankers, bulk carriers and container ships work for placement agencies operating at a local level. Major shipping companies rely on firms from developing countries, mainly the Philippines (which provides a quarter of all crew in the world) and India. An international agreement with few guarantees Although the 2006 International Maritime Labour Convention is binding on all shipping companies, in practice it is very convenient for the employer. Leaves wage regulation to the discretion of each country and is not particularly demanding on working hours: it establishes a minimum of 10 hours of rest every 24 hours and a maximum of 14 hours of daily work, with a maximum of 72 hours per week. These soft demands, combined with the technical difficulty for workers to report abuses on the high seas, make the contractual relationship of international seamen one of the most precarious in existence. Freedom United defines it bluntly: "slavery at sea" and "modern slavery". Diseases, suicides and disappearances The ILO report, which is still provisional, has been prepared with data from 51 countries. Of the 403 deaths reported, the leading cause was disease (139 cases), mainly cardiovascular accidents and heart attacks aggravated by physical demands of work, long working hours, chronic stress and limited access to medical care on the high seas. The number of suicides, with 26 cases representing 6.5% of total deaths, highlights to health experts the mental stress faced by many seafarers But it’s the suicides that set off all the alarms. With 26 confirmed cases (6.5% of the total), health experts point out the enormous mental stress suffered by seafarers. And there is more: of the 91 people who mysteriously disappeared overboard, it is estimated that many could also correspond to workers who decided to take their own lives. The atmosphere is not easy" Sailors have to live twenty-four hours a day with companions not always friendly, of different nationalities, cultures and religions, with which sometimes they can not even maintain a conversation because of the language barrier", explains to Southern Europe the Filipino priest Jovannie Postrano, based in Algeciras, who visits every day the crew of the container ships that land in the port. Their families, to top it off, are far away: they spend many months without seeing each other and also, in some cases, never putting a foot on the ground", he adds. It is clinically documented that freighters suffer from stress, anxiety and above all depression and mood disorders with a much higher incidence than any other work group . The causes are multiple: overwork, social isolation, exposure to adverse environmental conditions, prolonged absence from home and lack of adequate rest, as reported by the International Transport Workers' Federation, Provides psychological support programs and access to mental health resources. The reduced space in which crews work and coexist, shared rooms or new port facilities increasingly remote from cities contribute to the episodes of stress, anxiety, depression and loss of the sense of reality will manifest in a virulent way, according to the platform for professionals of the sea Marine Engineer. Vikand, one of the leading international providers of medical care to merchant and cruise ship crews, insists that "suicide at sea should no longer be a hidden issue". The company proposes to prioritize well-being on board and ensure that all seafarers have access to the support they need, before it is too late. Source: Translated from the Spanish Article El oscuro secreto de los cargueros: uno de cada quince marineros muere por suicidio o desaparece misteriosamente ( Josè Angel Cadelo / Algeciras / 05 Oct 2025) https://www.europasur.es/maritimas/oscuro-secreto-cargueros-marineros-suicidio-desaparicion_0_2004917444.html

Ship Visit with the Regional Superior, Fr. Francesco, CS Jovannie Postrano, chaplain of the port of Algeciras, begins his work in one of the most important ports in Spain to support sailors who spend up to nine months at sea. The pastoral of the sea of the Church, known as Stella Maris, has begun to operate a few months ago in the port of Algeciras, the most active in Spain. Its mission is to serve sailors who face long periods at sea, dealing with loneliness and isolation, and coexisting with crews of multiple nationalities and languages. At the head of this initiative is Father Jovannie Postrano, port chaplain. In an interview with TRECE’s 'Ecclesia al Día'  program, he explained that the main demand of seafarers is not always spiritual. "Normally, they don’t ask for spiritual things, but they do ask for the presence of a friend from the port where they can talk about life or family concerns," he said. A beacon of humanity Father Postrano has pointed out that one of the biggest problems for sailors is not being able to get off ships. "With the technology we have, they have only a short time in that port and that results in them spending many months at sea and not seeing land", he explains. In this context, what they need most is "a greeting or someone who listens to them", a friendly presence that serves as an outlet. Spiritual support for all Life at sea, with voyages lasting six to nine months, is also a challenge for faith. The lack of contact with land and the impossibility of visiting a church or praying in community creates a "risk of losing faith", according to the chaplain. Therefore, the presence of Stella Maris in the port becomes essential to keep alive that spiritual dimension. This accompaniment is offered without distinction. "We look at a person who needs social and spiritual support, we do not look at culture, colour, language or religion", said Postrano, indicating that they serve Catholics, Christians of other denominations, Muslims and non-believers. In this way, it follows the line set out by Pope John Paul II in his apostolic letter Moto Proprio Stella Maris on the need for the Church to be present alongside the people of the sea. A missionary for the people of the sea Father Jovannie Postrano Serrano belongs to the congregation of the Missionaries of San Carlos, also called Scalabrinians, whose charisma is to accompany migrants, refugees and sailors. After arriving in Spain last November, the bishop of the diocese entrusted him with the task of coordinating the services of Stella Maris. Since he received the terminal access permit in June, he has visited more than 20 boats and met more than 50 sailors. To communicate with crews from countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Morocco or Mynmar, Father Jovannie mainly uses English. Being himself of Asian origin, he also talks to his Filipino compatriots in their native language, while making his way through the day-to-day port with Spanish. Source: https://www.cope.es/religion/hoy-en-dia/iglesia-espanola/noticias/stella-maris-da-apoyo-humano-espiritual-tripulaciones-alta-mar-marineros-piden-espiritual-amigo-hablar-20251017_3233979.html

https://www.europasur.es/algeciras/philippine-priest-docks_0_2004531281.html Jovannie Postrano is originally from the island of Cebu and, in addition to Cebuano, his mother tongue, he speaks Tagalog, English and Spanish . He has been living in the parish of Carmen of Algeciras for just a few months, but his mission is not on land, but aboard the large oil tankers or container ships that dock in the port. Every day, first thing in the morning, he checks an app to see which cargo ships will be calling at Algeciras , chooses the ones he will have time to visit, puts on his fluorescent vest and yellow safety helmet, and reports to the gangway of the selected ship. The sailor on duty, who has not been notified in advance, lets him board because he immediately recognises the emblem on his helmet: the organisation of this young priest, Stella Maris , is present in more than sixty countries and three hundred ports around the world. More on the link ...... https://www.europasur.es/algeciras/philippine-priest-docks_0_2004531281.html

A great number of ships that crossed Malacca Strait has amazed me. I saw them from the airplane upon landing at Singapore Airport. That scenery made me remember of the importance of the Stella Maris mission. It also made me think of the seafarers who worked on those ships. It gave me an inspiration to put my heart and mind in the meeting held in Batam (Indonesia), an island that can be reached by ferry in an hour from Singapore. It was a regional meeting of the Stella Maris Catholic Network that was participated in by the chaplains of Batam (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines), Tokyo (Japan), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Taipei (Taiwan), Algeciras (Spain) and South Africa. Fr. Marcio Toniazzo of the SIMN was also present and the general superior, Fr. Leonir Chiarello has also spent moments with us via Zoom. The meeting was held on the 11th of August until the 15th. The first amazing moments were the dialogues between the Scalabrinian Network and the Indonesian government working in the sectors of migration and fisheries. They renewed their commitment in safeguarding the welfare of the Indonesian seafarers and fishers, in which many of them go to Spain and Italy, an interesting dataset for the maritime mission in Europe. Moreover, it was also encouraged to continue the collaboration between the government and some Stella Maris centres that work with the Indonesians. Another wonderful moment of dialogue was between the Scalabrinian Network and the authorities of the local church that work with the episcopal commission on itinerant people, and the commission for justice and peace. From their presentations, we have learned about the effort of the local church in responding to the challenges of the Indonesian migration. They were also grateful for the work of the Scalabrinian Stella Maris Network that inspires them to include seafarers and fishers in their pastoral project. After these dialogues with the authorities of the church and the government, we spent some moments of listening to each other. Each one of us did not only present the reality of their respective mission areas but also shared the challenges and opportunities that we faced. Moreover, we discussed about the strategic plan to improve our services to the seafarers and fishers. With the help of the psychologists from Brazil who were connected online, we have talked about reinforcing strategies in responding to the challenges relating to mental health. One great service that scalabrinians can offer will be the prevention of the mental health related issues that seafarers, fishers, chaplains and volunteers may be vulnerable to. A strategy that can be done is to offer opportunities for the seafarers and fishers to connect to their loved ones. We hope that we can offer better services to the seafarers and fishers in scalabrinian spirit, promoting the culture of encounter and dialogue, and encouraging people to be involved in the maritime mission. We also hope to call the interest of the confreres to this mission, recalling the history of the congregation when missionaries were sent to accompany people from the sending port to the receiving port. Maritime mission has already been present since the beginning of the history of the congregation, and therefore Stella Maris mission must be given attention. A final moment of encounter and dialogue was the Indonesian culture of welcoming. We visited local churches where we celebrated masses and were welcomed with their traditional dance, warm greetings, lively music, and delicious food. People greeted us offering their hands and touching their hearts, which can be interpreted as a greeting from the heart. They taught us the value of welcoming that can also be valued within the family of missionaries among the migrants. Lastly, as I left Batam, I remembered those amazing moments of encounter and dialogue. I continued my journey to Spain with a renewed spirit, saying from the depth of my heart, “Terimah Kasih”, which means Thank you. Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS

Feeling of being lost in a new cultural context and uncertainty about where and how to start the new mission made me feel down. The death of Pope Francis whom I looked at as an example of faith also added weight to the heaviness of my heart. To find light in this moment of darkness, I desired to do some spiritual retreats and then the idea to do the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) came. It was great idea because it could help me spiritually and as a scalabrinian missionary it could also be a moment of solidarity with many migrants who walked for kilometres in order to find a better future. It could also be a good spiritual exercise that was related to the theme of the Jubilee year; “Pilgrims of Hope” . Without any hesitation, Fr. Walter and I, travelled to Valença (Portugal) to start the pilgrimage. We did the last 124 kilometres of the Portuguese Way. We just carried a small pack bag and planned the journey day by day. During the pilgrimage, I prayed for the Stella Maris mission in Algeciras, for all people who asked for prayers, and for all people who are important to me. When we arrived in Valença (Portugal), we immediately went to the tourist centre to ask for a credential card. It served like a passport that would be stamped at least two times a day so that we would receive the pilgrim certificate upon arriving in Santiago. Then we walked and crossed the border between Portugal and Spain. We planned our journey every day and tried to arrive in a town where we could find a place to sleep. We prayed, contemplated the beauty of nature, and walked a lot in the middle of the bush, or along the river or seaside under the heat of the sun. On the way, we met people who gave us light not only in our pilgrimage but also in our journey of life. The first man has a name “Jesus”. He guided us when we got lost and he accompanied us to the next town. He shared a part of his life that inspired me. He was a seafarer for many years in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and he came back to Spain in order to take care of his sick and elderly parents. This man did not only share a part of his story but also taught us wisdom in life. He said that life is all about sharing. It is not life if you just keep it for yourself. He also shared some wisdom that he got from sailing. Through him, I got some new ideas on how to start my mission. The second figure that enlightened me was the monk that we met along the way. He prayed for us and blessed us. I felt good listening to him when he shared his words of wisdom because he encouraged me to embrace the challenges in the mission with the seafarers. Another figure that called my attention was the elderly people who did their best to remain strong in their journey. They were so determined to complete the pilgrimage. They have strong faith in God, in themselves and in the persons who walked with them. Lastly, we met people from different parts of the world bringing their own motivations, stories and struggles in life. Although we have different cultural and social backgrounds, we had common greetings; “ Buen Camino (have a good journey) ”. It is a simple word yet meaningful because it expresses many words such as “Be strong, my friend”, “You can make it”, “I understand your struggle”, “Everything will be ok”, “You are not alone”, and “Do not give up”. As we continued our journey, with the inspiration of people we met, I felt so blessed and much more when I received the news that the permit to visit ships in the port of Algeciras had already been considered. After four days of walking, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela. I was so happy because I felt fulfilled and renewed. During the mass for the pilgrims, I was amazed to witness the big thurible with incense that swayed in the middle of the altar. Before going back to the mission, I brought with me a bookmark with a word that says “No one finds his way without being lost many times”. Then I said to myself, this is the echo of my experience before I did the pilgrimage. Upon travelling on the train to Madrid, I remembered the words of the priest in the Basilica of Santiago to whom I made my confession. He said to me, “ Buen Camino  for Stella Maris, Viva Santiago!” Fr. Jovannie Serrano Postrano, CS

Prayers, songs, rosary, and laughter were simple moments that showed the joy of celebrating the feast of Our Lady of  Carmel. In Spanish tradition, she is known as “the star of the sea” and the patroness of the seafarers. The Stella Maris community celebrated her feast on the 16 th  of July 2025 and the day of the seafarers. The novena or the 9 days of prayer, rosary and mass was also held in the Parish of Our Lady of Carmel in Algeciras. As the activities of the parish continued, moments to remember and pray for the seafarers were also offered. The devotion of the people to Our Mother Mary can also be noted in the works and sacrifices of the devotees and the group of the Fraternity of our Lady of Carmel as they prepared the special day.   On the feast day, after the mass, we were invited by the port authority to celebrate the feast of our Mother and the day of the seafarers. It was a wonderful moment of staying together and wishing everyone for the success of their work and their mission. In the evening, a great number of people gathered together to participate in the procession that started from the chapel of the charity, passed by the city centre and then went to the port where the image was put into the boat for a fluvial procession that was accompanied by many small boats. During the procession, I heard people praising “Long Live Mary! Long live beautiful Mother! Long Live Our lady of Carmel! Long Live Patroness of the seafarers! Long Live Star of the Sea! It was really great to witness this amazing culture. I was certainly happy to experience the great love of  people for our Mother Mary, The Star of the Sea. As a person who is organising and building the Stella Maris in the Port of Algeciras, this devotion gave me an inspiration to continue what we have started. May mother Mary, the star of the sea, continue to give us light as we sail in the ocean of hope. Fr. Jovannie Serrano Postrano, CS

The gentle sea breeze embraces the people and it announces the beginning of the warm season. It is June and it is the beginning of the summer season! For many people, it is a season to relax and enjoy the sunny days. For us, who are in the organisation of supporting and promoting the welfare of the seafarers, it is also a warm moment that gives us hope and courage to continue our mission. In the beginning of June, we were given permit to access terminals and ports under the port authority of  Algeciras. The access that was given to us is a great opportunity for the Stella Maris to start one of its regular activities ; the ship visitation. Although we have not started yet visiting the ship which are docked in the private terminals, we already started visiting seafarers onboard in some of the terminals where we have access. There, we met seafarers from India, China, Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Every moment of encounter with them was a treasure as they shared their journeys of hope in life. Every story they told, was a lesson and a memory that left an imprint in our hearts. They encourage us to do our best to support them in many ways.   It was also amazing to discover that many seafarers have already known Stella Maris or they have already met Stella Maris in some ports around the world. For this reason, they asked us something about the regular services of Stella Maris such as transportation services, Stella Maris Center, Communication Services, etc. Unfortunately, we have just started the presence of the Stella Maris in the Port of Algeciras and what we can offer as of now is Ship Visit, dialogue with the seafarers and communication services. We do not have yet Center where seafarers can visit to stay for some moments of relax, recreation and even just to have a place that can be called “a home away from home”. We do not have yet a car to offer transportation services to the seafarers within the port. There is still a lot of work to do. As an advocate of the seafarers’ welfare, what we are doing so far is very minimal response in front of this important maritime reality. The port of Algeciras is a key point of passage in the Strait of Gibraltar that handles around 29,000 vessel calls per year, including over 100 megaships, according to the Port Technology International. It is our hope to inspire people who are advocates of seafarers’ welfare to be involved in the mission of the Stella Maris so that we can create a community that care for our brothers and sisters in the maritime world. May Jesus Christ, through the intercession of our Mother, Mary the Star of the Sea, continue to guide and protect all seafarers and  port workers. Fr. Jovannie Postrano Serrano, CS

As part of the preparation of the new Stella Maris center in the port of Algeciras, I had the privilege of visiting the facilities of the organization in the ports of Barcelona and Tarragona on 2,3 and 4 July 2025. The purpose of this visit was to learn first-hand about the experience and operation of these established centres, in order to be inspired and collect good practices to replicate in our new project. During these three days, I was warmly welcomed by the Stella Maris teams in Barcelona and Tarragona. Both meetings were extremely enriching and allowed us to collect ideas, proposals and examples of exemplary work in the service of seafarers and their families. I feel very fortunate and deeply grateful to have lived this experience. Getting to know the work of Stella Maris in Catalonia has been not only a formative opportunity, but also a very valuable human experience. It has been especially exciting to be part of such a committed, supportive and generous team. The visit to the facilities of Stella Maris in Barcelona and Tarragona has been a fundamental step on the way to the opening of our center in Algeciras, Cadiz and Ceuta. We start this new stage with enthusiasm, inspiration and a strong sense of belonging to this great family that is Stella Maris. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Deacon Ricardo Martos in Barcelona and to Vincent in Tarragona for their hospitality, closeness and generosity. And above all, to thank deeply Fr. Jovannie, who accompanied me on this journey and has trusted in me for this new stage. Your confidence has been key to take this step, and I will always be grateful. Dates of visit: 2, 3 and 4 July 2025 Author: Margaret Martinez Related project: Opening of Stella Maris in the ports of Algeciras, Cadiz and Ceuta

There is a good atmosphere. The gentle breeze moves us to gather together and the warmth of the sun invites us to enjoy life. It’s June and the beginning of the summer season! It is a time for us to be happy not only because it is summer but also because the Scalabrinian community of Algeciras has experienced two good news that I would like to share. The first good news is that on the 1st of June we celebrated the Feast of the Father to the  migrants, St. John Baptist Scalabrini, together with the parishioners of Our Lady of Carmel and the Scalabrinian religious community. During the Mass, Brother Carlos Mendez, CS, renewed his religious vows in the hands of Fr. Walter Diaz, CS., Vicar Superior of the Scalabrinian Region in Europe and Africa. The assembly was amazed to see the brave young man who says yes to God, yes to being a missionary for and with the migrants. After the mass, we prayed to St. Scalabrini and then there was a video presentation about the mission of the Scalabrinians around the world and in particular in the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta. Then, we had a simple lunch where we enjoyed Spanish food like " la paella". The second good news I want to share is the Stella Maris Mission in the dioceses of Cadiz and Ceuta. Last December, I was appointed by the bishop as coordinator of the services of Stella Maris in the diocese where it has many interesting ports such as Algeciras, Tarifa, Ceuta, Cadiz and Barbate. All these ports are located along the Strait of Gibraltar which is considered as one of the most important waterways in the maritime sector. It is estimated that a boat passes every 5 minutes here. The Stella Maris centre in the port of Cadiz was inaugurated last February, but has not yet started its activities. In addition, we have already started to connect with some people in the port of Ceuta for a collaboration in the near future. On the 5th of June I was given permission to start the activities of the Stella Maris in the 4 ports under Algeciras (Port of Algeciras, Tarifa, La Linea, Campamento). The port of Algeciras is one of the most important ports not only in Spain but also in Europe. This is truly a grace of God through the inspiration of St. Scalabrini. Although it is not easy to start a mission from the scratch, but then I know that the mission of Stella Maris will continue with the moral, material and spiritual support of the people who care for the well-being of sailors. May Mother Mary, the Star of the Sea, continue to inspire people who are willing to share their time, energy and resources for God’s people in the maritime world. by Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS

This is a story of hope with Stella Maris in Algeciras and the Diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta (Spain) The diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta is located along the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest waterways in the world where about 300 boats pass every day, that is to say a boat every 5 minutes. In this maritime movement, there are many people who left their families, friends and homelands to seek a better future.  Pope John Paul II affirmed that the Church must have a particular pastoral support with the people of the sea (Apostolic Letter, "Motu Proprio" Stella Maris, on the Maritime Apostolate, 1997 Vatican City). It is in this spirit that the Diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta welcomes the invitation to establish Stella Maris Centres in the main ports of their territory, such as Cadiz, Algeciras and Ceuta. It hopes to bring the Gospel to the people of the sea and offers them social, spiritual and practical support.  Concretely, Mgr. Rafael Zornoza Boy, started the process of establishing the Stella Maris center in the Port of Cadiz last July 2024 and appointed Fr. Antonio Diufain Mora as responsible for this initial process. In December 2024, Fr. Jovannie Postrano Serrano, CS, a Scalabrinian priest residing in Algeciras, was appointed coordinator of the Stella Maris services in the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta. On 25 February 2025, the Stella Maris Center in the port of Cadiz was inaugurated and blessed. In addition, it has also initiated informal dialogue with the Port Authority and the port community of Algeciras. We discussed how we can collaborate for the well-being of seafarers. On the other hand, communication with the Port of Cadiz has not yet begun. It remains a plan that will certainly be implemented in the near future.  At the start of the operation of Stella Maris, welfare services for seafarers are certainly very minimal due to lack of material and human resources. Our pastoral project and plan for this year is to secure sufficient material and human resources to provide adequate welfare services to seafarers. At first, it was not clear what path to take in order to meet these challenges. But then, the fraternal support of the chaplains in the Catholic Scalabrinian Network of Stella Maris, present in 18 ports around the world, offer some lights that illuminate our decision-making. In addition, the closeness of the National Director of Stella Maris (Spain), Rev. Deacon Ricardo Rodríguez Martos Dauer, who continues to send information, updates, news and offering his availability to help, is truly a treasure.  The essential activities of the Stella Maris in the port, such as visiting ships, have not yet started due to the bureaucratic factor. However, we have started to explore the port of Algeciras thanks to some of our parishioners and also port workers who helped us. In addition to this, we have also started building the visibility of our online presence through social media and website. We have also started building networks at the international, national and local levels.  In conclusion, it is not easy to establish Stella Maris from scratch but everything will work out according to the help of many good people and through the inspiration of Mother Mary, the Star of the Sea. The presence of the church in some important ports along the Strait of Gibraltar will soon be seen thanks to people in the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta. by Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS

Mariner’s Prayer Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Mother of God and our Mother, you know all the dangers of soul and body that threaten mariners. Protect your sons and daughters who work and travel on the waters of the world, and protect also their families that await their return. Star of the Sea, Mother of the Church, give light and strength to those chaplains and lay ministers who bring the love of your Divine Son among mariners. Fill their hearts with a supernatural and life-giving zeal for the apostolate. Star of the Sea, light shining in the darkness, be a guide to those who sail amid the storms and dangers of life. Enlighten the hearts of ardent disciples and bring us all to the safety of heaven’s port. Amen.

Celebrating Holy Mass on board when I visited Stella Maris Ravenna (Italy) last November 2024 Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) was founded in Glasgow (Scotland) in October 1920, and now it is the largest ship-visiting Catholic network in the world that provides pastoral, social, and practical support to the people of the sea. Pope John Paul II motu proprio , “Stella Maris on the Maritime Apostolate,” affirms the importance of providing special pastoral attention to a specific group of people who are engaged in the maritime industry, such as seafarers and fishers. With this similar intention, the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta has started the ministry of Stella Maris. The diocese is located along the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest waterways. It connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and about 300 ships cross the strait every day; that is one ship every 5 minutes. Among many ports in this area, the ports of Cadiz, Ceuta, and Algeciras are the most significant ports under the diocesan pastoral territory. Among these three ports, Algeciras is considered one of the most important ports not only in Spain but also in Europe. It accommodates almost 29,000 ships every year.              In these maritime movements, there are certainly people who need pastoral, social, and practical assistance. In response, the bishop of Cadiz and Ceuta, Mons. Rafael Zornoza Boy, started the process of establishing the Stella Maris centre in the port of Cadiz. Last July 2024, he nominated Fr. Antonio Diufain Mora as in charge of the initial opening of Stella Maris in Cadiz. In December 2024, a Scalabrinian priest who is based in Algeciras, Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS, was nominated as coordinator of the Stella Maris services in the diocese. In addition to this, on the 25th of February, the Stella Maris Centre in Cadiz was inaugurated by Mons. Rafael with the presence of the port commission of welfare. Regarding the port of Algeciras, Stella Maris was already presented to the port community and it is now in the process of having a permit to start the ship visits.             Although the presence of Stella Maris ministry in this area is necessary, its welfare services for the people of the sea are very minimal due to many factors, such as scarcity of material and human resources. In response to this actual challenge, we establish our main objective this year: “To provide sufficient welfare services for the seafarers in the initial operation of the Stella Maris centre.” Our activities will be guided by a project and plan that help us achieve our goal.               We have just started, and we do not have any available funds to support our activities and needs to operate our mission. But with the help of the people and organizations who are in solidarity with the people of the sea, the Stella Maris centre will surely be established, and its activities will certainly start. Furthermore, we have started to share our goals with other Stella Maris centres by building a network. We have shared information with Stella Maris Spain, whose director is Rev. Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez Martos Dauer, and the Stella Maris Scalabrini International Network. We aim to share our dreams and encourage people to help us achieve these dreams for the welfare of the people of the sea.  The success of the Stella Maris operation depends on many factors, such as the availability of material and human resources. May Our Mother Mary, Stella Maris, protect us always. by Fr. Jovannie Postrano, CS Stella Maris Chaplain - Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta (Spain)