THE Red Ensign flag will fly over the headquarters of the Department for Transport to mark the UK's 13th Merchant Navy Day tomorrow.

Since its introduction in 2000, Merchant Navy Day has provided an opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the seafarers of the past, to show appreciation for British shipping today and look ahead to the UK’s future as a maritime nation.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said: "Merchant Navy Day is an opportunity to not only remember seafarers of the past but to look to a bright future for UK shipping.

“More than 20,000 merchant seafarers lost their lives in the Second World War alone, while working to provide this country with the means to survive. We owe those brave seafarers a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices and the contribution they made to our national wellbeing.

"More recently, it has been encouraging to see a real revival in UK shipping and in the number of young people seeking a career at sea. The British maritime sector, while facing the challenge of competition from abroad, still has a great reputation.

“The vast majority of goods arriving or departing the UK do so by sea, so we look forward to a future where the UK continues to be a significant and successful maritime nation."

The Red Ensign is the official flag of the commercial shipping fleet of the UK and its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.

The significance of tomorrow’s date is that it is the anniversary of the sinking of the SS Athenia, the first British merchant vessel lost during the Second World War.

Since January, 2002, the UK-registered trading fleet has increased from 5.03 to 16.64 million gross tons, an increase of over 230 per cent over the past decade.

The UK has the 13th largest Merchant Fleet in the world and the fifth largest in Europe.