- World’s highest crew change facilitated on Indian ports and through charter flights.
- The crew change involves sign-on and sign-off procedures.
- Indian ports were operational and were providing essential services throughout the pandemic.
- Received requests from more than 2,000 maritime stakeholders and immediate responsive action taken to facilitate their needs.
Change of over 1 lakh stranded seafarers facilitated at Indian ports through chartered flights, says an article published in DD News.in.
World’s highest crew change
The Shipping Ministry said it has facilitated change of more than one lakh crew members at Indian ports and through charter flights amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This is the highest number of crew changes in the world.
The procedure followed
Crew change consists of replacing one set of a ship’s crew members with another set of people and involves sign-on and sign-off procedures.
The statement from the ministry said, despite the maritime sector being one of the worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, all the Indian ports were operational and were providing essential services throughout the pandemic.
It added, they stood as main pillars ensuring a smooth supply chain for India and the world.
Instructions and guidance from ministry
Ministry approachable
He emphasized to ensure that seafarers should be able to approach the ministry during the difficult time and no seafarer should suffer due to poor grievance redressal system.
DG Shipping’s part
The Shipping Minister had instructed DG Shipping to come up with robust grievances redressal mechanism to facilitate the seafarers.
Immediate responsive action
According to reports, DG Shipping had received communications via emails, tweets, and letters from more than 2,000 maritime stakeholders and took immediate responsive action to facilitate their needs.
DG Shipping, Amit Kumar said, to sustain maritime transportation during the pandemic situation, it has taken various initiatives like extension of various certificates required for sailing and Online E-pass facility for travel.
“An online utility has been created for verification of seafarers for charter flights and for uploading details of stranded seafarers along with online ship registration and online charter licensing.”
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Source: DD News.in
