Over two million people work in the international shipping trade, and they are often at sea for months at a time.

That’s a lot of meals being made by the cook on board, and their work is crucial for keeping the crew happy.

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.

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.

We also hear about international efforts to try to tackle corruption in ports and increase welfare standards for seafarers.

If you would like to share your own experience, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Ruth Alexander

Producers: Izzy Greenfield and Hannah Bewley

(Image: A container ship at sea. Credit: Getty Images) Show less