UN agencies issue urgent calls for action on crew changes implementing already-agreed guidance, says an article published in BIMCO website.
Travel restrictions in place
Travel restrictions in place due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in some ports and airports closing, with ships and aircraft denied entry.
It has also resulted in restrictive measures for foreign nationals travelling to or from the country.
Flights to ensure crew changeovers
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO), in a joint statement, advise the need of international flights to ensure crew changeovers for 150,000 seafarers a month to take place from the middle of June 2020.
Half of these seafarers need to be repatriated home by aircraft while the other half will be joining ships.
For more information read our article Ship Managers Look for Alternatives To Resume Crew Change As Deadline Looms!
Key worker designation
In order to pave the way for crew change, ICAO, IMO and ILO urge “key worker” designation for:
- seafarers,
- marine personnel,
- fishing vessel personnel,
- offshore energy sector personnel,
- aviation personnel,
- air cargo supply chain personnel, and
- service provider personnel at airports and ports, regardless of nationality.
Exemption from travel restrictions
Governments are urged to exempt these personnel from travel restrictions, to ensure crew changes can be carried out for them to have access to emergency medical treatment and, if necessary, to facilitate emergency repatriation.
For more information read our article ‘Seafarers Key Workers, Supply Chains Essential Service’, Says ICS
The statement also urges Governments and relevant national and local authorities to implement an already-agreed guidance, issued by ICAO, IMO, ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO), including on keyworker designation.
Approval and screening protocols
The implementation includes permitting seafarers, marine personnel, fishers and offshore energy sector personnel to disembark and embark ships in port and transit through their territory (i.e. to an airport) for the purpose of crew changes and repatriation; and implementing appropriate approval and screening protocols.
What does the organizations say in the statement?
Humanitarian reasons
“For humanitarian reasons – and the need to comply with international safety and employment regulations – crew changes cannot be postponed indefinitely.”
Support from government
“We are seeking the support of Governments to facilitate crew changes, operations essential to maintain the global cargo supply chains and operations related to humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights.”
Protocols from IMO
Earlier this month, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim endorsed a series of protocols developed by a broad cross-section of global maritime industry associations to ensure that ship crew changes can take place safely during the pandemic.
For more information read our article : IMO Presses for Unified Port Protocol Solutions To Prevent COVID19 Disruptions!
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Source: BIMCO
