<p>Over two million people work in the international shipping trade, and they are often at sea for months at a time. </p><p>That’s a lot of meals being made by the cook on board, and their work is crucial for keeping the crew happy. </p><p>Ruth Alexander hears from seafarers about why that makes “cookie” the most important person on board a ship and why, in some cases, crew members are going hungry. </p><p>A former captain of merchant vessels tells us how food is used for so-called “facilitation payments” to corrupt officials, and why crews can sometimes be powerless to stop port officials filling up suitcases with food from the ship’s stores. </p><p>We also hear about international efforts to try to tackle corruption in ports and increase welfare standards for seafarers. </p><p>If you would like to share your own experience, please email: [email protected] </p><p>Presenter: Ruth Alexander </p><p>Producers: Izzy Greenfield and Hannah Bewley </p><p>(Image: A container ship at sea. Credit: Getty Images)</p>
