Crew change specialists are in big demand from shipping companies struggling to get seafarers on or off vessels because of Covid-19 travel restrictions.
It is known that authorities around the world have either closed ports or introduced entry measures to prevent potential coronavirus carriers from entering their country – making it difficult for ship owners to get crew in or out.
According to Peter Smit, Co-CEO of Boers Crew Services:
We’re moving around 10,000 crew members a year, which involves arranging about 20,000 visas with embassies around the world, and we now have about 20–30% more customers since this time in 2020.
In light of the COVID-19 situation, Hans Boers, Co-CEO of the company, said he and his colleagues were used to overcoming any obstacles. “The most important thing for us is to get seafarers who are the engines of the world from A to B – even when embassies are closed. If that happens, we have the contacts to get things done.
As explained, arranging visas at short notice is a huge headache for shipping companies, while getting permission from immigration to let seafarers off the ship while in port for a crew change is another area that Boers specialises in.
Good communication and preparation are key. We speak to immigration before the new crew lands at the airport, to see if they will allow us to sign off the people currently on board the vessel, meaning they can then leave the ship.
…Hans Boer added.
Concluding, the company also helps governments roll out the Covid-19 vaccine to crew members waiting to board a ship or fly home to their families. “We have everything in place to assist port authorities in providing vaccinations for every seafarer – whether they are airside or staying in transit,” Mr Smit said. “Ultimately, our job is to get people onto ships or back home. If we can help vaccinate seafarers in the process, then great.”
