- INTERCARGO urges to permit crew changes despite COVID-19 restrictions.
- Blocking seafarer movements pose grave risks for crews and the shipping industry, warns bulker owners’ association.
- Many port states have imposed local regulations and quarantine restrictions that have ‘stalled’ crew changes.
- A clampdown on crew changes will put supply chains in jeopardy.
- Without the regular crew changes, seafarers’ mental health will be negatively affected, as they need support and sympathy during this outbreak period.
- INTERCARGO urges IMO Member States and all Port States to adopt a realistic approach to boost crew changes’ permission as an exception.
- Maersk issued an emailed statement, that crew changes will be suspended for four weeks effective immediately until April 14, 2020.
INTERCARGO urges ports to permit crew changes despite COVID-19 restrictions due to the increased number of national travel restrictions, reports Safety4Sea.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impacts that has brought upon the shipping industry, the dry bulk shipping association, INTERCARGO called all ports to keep permitting crew changes due to the increased number of national travel restrictions.
For more information read our article WHO Utters the Cursed Word, Coronavirus ‘Pandemic’!
Blocking seafarer movements pose grave risks for society at large as well as crews and the shipping industry, warns bulker owners’ association.
Stalled crew changes
Intercargo said ‘many port states’ have imposed local regulations and quarantine restrictions that have ‘stalled’ crew changes.
INTERCARGO has called for an efficient way dealing with the movement of seafarers around the world as authorities increasingly lock down their countries to battle the spread of the coronavirus.
Undue hindrance
INTERCARGO informed that during such a difficult time, it is important to assist shipowners and seafarers to overcome these challenges by removing undue hindrance for seafarers so as to leave or join a ship in their ports.
The association said
“We wish to highlight the logistical challenges with the repatriation of seafarers who have completed their sea service and seek their relief and re-joining their families. Though their colleague seafarers are standing by on shore in their home country, the relief process is stalled as many port states have imposed local regulations, travel and quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19, despite the IMO circulars to be mindful of free access to seafarers.”
Supply chains in jeopardy
The international dry bulk shipowners’ association, which has a membership corresponding to more than 25% of the global bulker fleet, warned that too heavy-handed a clampdown on crew changes will put supply chains in jeopardy and ultimately exacerbate current hardships.
Seafarer’s metal health
It said “many port states” have imposed local regulations, travel and quarantine restrictions that have “stalled” crew changes and presented “logistical challenges” for seafarers who have completed their period of sea service.
“In many cases neither the seafarers nor the companies know for how long these [restrictions] may prevail,” Intercargo said in a statement.
Without the regular crew changes, seafarers’ mental health will be negatively affected, as they need support and sympathy during this outbreak period.
Realistic approach to boost crew change
Following the situation, INTERCARGO urges IMO Member States and all Port States to further adopt a realistic approach in order to boost crew changes’ permission as an exception to the difficulties that COVID-19 has brought.
“Seafarers need our support and compassion with measured, rather than overzealous, restrictions in relation to COVID-19. Without efficient crew changes, the supply chain would break down leading to basic product shortages and greater hardships for people around the world . . . Banning crew changes in ports brings high risks to crews, ships, ports and society.”
Maersk’s stand
Apart from INTERCARGO, Maersk issued an emailed statement, according to which crew changes will be suspended for four weeks effective immediately until April 14, 2020.
Crew change suspension
With the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and fast-paced closing of borders Maersk suspends all crew changes for Maersk operated container vessels effective immediately and for four weeks until 14th April 2020.
Maersk said the decision was to keep their crew safe while maintaining operations as normal as possible.
Stranded seafarers
“Given the current situation we can better protect our 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.”
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Source: Safety4Sea
