In a major development, Shipping giant Maersk has announced that they are suspending all crew changes for the next 4 weeks, report Co Sea.
Seafarers Safety First
The announcement comes at a time when the shipping industry is reeling under the COVID19 pandemic. Metal Maritime backs the company’s decision solely for the safety of each seafarer. The parties will meet later this week to clarify the consequences and agree on details of how the crisis situation will be resolved.
Email Statement Issued
This has made quite the buzz in the industry and several leading newspapers like Safety4Sea have reported this. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption it has on the shipping and offshore sector, the world’s largest container line, AP Moller-Maersk has suspended crew changes for all of its operated ships, writes the news agency.
Specifically, Maersk issued an emailed statement, according to which crew changes will be suspended for four weeks effective immediately until April 14, 2020.
“With the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extraordinarily fast-paced closing of borders and cancellations of airline services, today (17 March 2020) we have decided to suspend all crew changes for Maersk operated container vessels effective immediately and for four weeks until 14th April 2020. The decision is based on the need to keep our crew safe while maintaining operations as normal as possible”, says the statement.
Protecting Seafarers
The statement adds that their priority is keeping their people safe; The best they can do is to protect their seafarers by suspending the exchange of crew, as this lessens the number of social interactions they need to have. Secondly, the rapid changes to global travel poses a risk of stranding seafarers in transit, in locations from where they are unable to leave or get sufficient assistance.
Maersk Marine HR: -No easy decision
“It has not been an easy decision to make, but as things progress minute by minute we see no other way out,” elaborates Niels Bruus, Head of Marine HR in Maersk.
The orientation for the ships describes the problems of getting seafarers safely both out and home.
“By continuing to ask our employees to travel, we will expose them to high risk of danger to beaches in situations where we will be unable to help them. Our hope is that by canceling the planned crew shifts, we will also minimize the risk significantly of accidentally getting corana virus on board, ” states the orientation to the shipping companies.
Metal Maritime and Maersk in dialogue on solution
In relation to agreements that include agreements for outdoor and home periods, conditions for the settlement of days off and holidays, as well as financial penalties of the shipping company on delayed redemption, Maersk and Metal Maritime will enter into a closer dialogue later this week to find constructive solutions for the groups. , where Metal Maritime is a party to the agreement: ship assistants, catering and navigators.
“Since last week, we have been in close contact with the shipping companies – including Maersk – on both the development of the situation and various measures that the shipping companies are considering. The approach is that this is a crisis situation, which we must find constructive solutions from each side of the table, ” says Ole Philipsen, President of Metal Maritime and continues:
“Immediately we are really glad that seafarers are not sent out on trips now that nobody can say what the world’s approach to border closures will be. And after all, any journey will mean greater exposure to becoming infected or becoming a spreading agent. So, based on the safety of the individual seafarer, Maersk’s actions are the right thing, seen with my eyes. ”
Maersk is working on getting an overview
Maersk is working on high pressure to get an overview of the immediate consequences for the individual seafarer on board. This applies to the extent of the breach of contract by not being replaced, personal evidence and certificates that could expire, etc. And the company encourages employees with questions to contact through the normal channels in the company’s organization.
In Touch With Authorities
Maersk has been in contact with all relevant authorities and organizations and will closely coordinate on any legal or compliance matters to resolve these while ensuring continued safe operation of our fleet.
Others Follow
Similarly, OCIMF decided to suspend all SIRE (Cat-1 and Cat-3) audits, SIRE and OVID refresher courses and new-inspector courses for the year 2020.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Co Sea
