CSC supports the message from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) urging for co-operation between UN agencies, governments and airlines to facilitate crew changes.
G20 finance ministers and central bank governors have tasked relevant working groups to deliver a roadmap to take urgent actions to address the global challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their joint appeal, ICS and ITF said that "merchant ships move the world’s medical supplies, food, energy and raw materials, plus the manufactured products and components which, due to complex global supply chains, are necessary for national economies to function effectively and for the preservation of jobs."
They added that a coordinated global action is necessary to protect the efficient flow of imports and exports carried by sea
For its part, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber collaborates with local stakeholders, in order to identify viable solutions on crew changes issues and to safeguard seafarers’ access to healthcare onshore.
In additio, the ICS and the ITF urged G20 to designate professional seafarers and marine personnel, regardless of nationality, as “key workers” providing an essential service. This personnel should also be exempted from national travel or movement restrictions.
