A Suffolk freelance journalist and former EADT reporter has won a major international award in recognition of her work in the maritime, transport and logistics press. 

Felicity Landon was named Maritime Journalist of the Year 2022 at the Seahorse Freight Association awards, held in London. 

The award was for three articles: two articles on the need for shipping to reconsider its safety objectives and expectations and one article examining the impact of the Maritime Labour Convention and the need for action to protect seafarers’ rights at sea. 

Felicity, who was a feature writer and sub-editor with the EADT, was presented with her award by Ezekiel Davis, regional vice president business development, Europe, at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). 

She has received awards for her work before- including in 2012 when she was named Supply Chain Journalist of the Year at the Seahorse Club awards for an article examining ‘portcentric’ solutions. 

The Seahorse Freight Association is a networking group for public relations, marketing, advertising and journalism professionals working within the freight, passenger, shipping and logistics sectors. 

Felicity said that while 90% of the world’s trade was carried by sea- and Suffolk boasted the UK’s largest container port at Felixstowe- there was a sense of frustration within the maritime industry that there was a lack of understanding about the important work undertaken by seafarers. 

In the industry’s view, many people simply took for granted that goods appeared on supermarket shelves, without considering how they got there, although the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused disruption to supply chains, had led to a better understanding. 

She said: “As a journalist, it is a tremendous privilege to work in such a dynamic, exciting and important sector.  

“From digitalisation to decarbonisation, the maritime industry is going through incredibly challenging, exciting and transformative times. But we must never forget that at the heart of it all, it is the people who matter.  

“Hence I was delighted to be named Maritime Journalist of the Year in recognition of articles I wrote about safety at sea, onboard conditions for seafarers and the breadth of careers available in the world of maritime and logistics.”