Covid-19 – International Policies

Governments from 13 countries around the world have noted that the ability of shipping companies to continue conducting crew changes is “critical” and the governments have declared they are “deeply concerned” by the global crisis in seafaring.

Following the International Maritime Summit on Crew Changes earlier this week, held by the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 13 governments have acknowledged as a matter of “urgent concern”:

• that the inability of ship operators worldwide to conduct ship’s crew changes is the single most pressing maritime operational challenge to the safe and efficient movement of global trade
• at least 200,000 seafarers are estimated to require immediate repatriation
• seafarers’ tours of duty cannot continue to be extended
• the global shipping industry estimates that, since March 2020, only about 25% of normal crew changes have taken place
• apart from the humanitarian and crew welfare concerns, and issues of regulatory compliance, there is an increasing risk that fatigue, and mental health issues could lead to serious maritime accidents
• the complexity of facilitating ship’s crew changes requires concerted action as well as access to commercial flights to the principal seafarer countries of origin and those countries where crew changes take place
• there is a need for swift action without further delay to allow crew changes and to avoid further consequences to the already fragile global supply chain
• that the lessons learned during the COVID-19 outbreak be used to create international protocols to provide practical instruments to facilitate shipping operations and enable seafarers to perform their essential role, in case of a future global pandemic.

The governments have also pledged:

• to call for all International Maritime Organization (IMO) states to designate seafarers as “key workers”
• to facilitate a safe and unhindered movement for embarking or disembarking a vessel
• to consider ways to accept internationally recognised documentation of seafarers as evidence of their status as key workers, their purpose of travel and movement for crew changes
• engage in discussions about implementation of the IMO’s recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• review, in conjunction with appropriate ministries, agencies and authorities at national and local levels all restrictions that may affect seafarer crew changes
• urge all IMO members to take any necessary measures to ensure seafarers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic enjoy safe crew changes as well as repatriation.

The governments expressed their “deepest appreciation” to the world’s seafarers. “Together, we can avert the global crisis that is unfolding at sea,” the statement reads.

Signatory countries are the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America.

The full statement from the 13 countries can be read online here.