- BIMCO highlights that seafarers should be recognised as essential key workers in the supply chain, bringing food, medical equipment and other commodities across the world, noting that the industry should take a pragmatic approach.
- In ships flying a different flag, the crew composition becomes even more relevant, as original certificates and the seafarers’ employment agreements will expire.
- It is commented that flag states are showing a pragmatic approach and will in most cases extend the endorsement if the underlying certificates are extended.
In light of the measures taken by the whole shipping industry for the COVID-19 mitigation, affecting crew change and repatriation, BIMCO provides information, outlining the formalities to extension and exceptions to statutory certificates for ships and seafarers.
Necessity for a pragmatic approach
The general opinion is to recognize seafarers as essential keyworks in the supply chain, bringing food, medical equipment and other commodities across the world. For this reason, it is of uttermost importance to take a pragmatic approach.
It is not unusual for ships to have mixed nationalities onboard with seafarers subject to different administrations.
Exceptions to National certificates
For ships flying yet a different flag, the crew composition is becoming even more relevant, as original certificates and the seafarers’ employment agreements will expire.
The national administrations can only make exceptions to national certificates such as:
- Certificates of competency
- Medical fitness certificates
- Radio operator certificates
- Certificates of endorsement
If the ship is manned with foreign crew it is therefore important to make sure the underlying certificates are valid and that the flag state have made arrangements for endorsement of a potential temporary extension.
Generally, flag states are showing a pragmatic approach and will in most cases extend the endorsement if the underlying certificates are extended.
To learn more, read the overview provided by BIMCO.
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Source: BIMCO
