The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) urged the European Commission and the EU Member States to reopen Schengen consulates abroad in charge of visa issuance to seafarers.
In a joint letter, the two partners call the EU to extend the expired visas for seafarers, reminding the Member States on the Commission’s guidance to extend visas that are about to expire or convert them into National Visas.
We have also received information about some Member States not extending expired visas, despite the recommendations in the guidance of 30 March to extend the maximum stay to 90/180 days or if compelled to stay beyond that period to provide a long-term national visa or a temporary residence permit. We, therefore, urge the Member States to provide for overstaying seafarers (for example who have been on board laid up vessels) with an extension of the validity
the letter reads.
Third country seafarers have also been unable to obtain the required visa to temporarily enter the Schengen area to join or leave a ship because of a large share of countries’ decision to temporarily close the majority of the diplomatic missions and visas on arrival are not widely available.
Through the letter, EFT and ECSA urged the EU Member States and EU institutions to make sure that shipping can benefit from the re-establishment of transport links between Europe and other parts of the world and effect crew changes in European ports.
We are encouraged by recent developments both in the EU Member States and Third Countries in considering maritime transport personnel, including seafarers, as essential workers and facilitating their movement to travel to join or leave a vessel. We are also encouraged by recent arrangements made with some airlines and airports to ensure EU and third-country seafarers can travel in and out of the EU to join a vessel or to be repatriated
European Community Shipowners’ Associations’ statement notes.
According to EFT and ECSA, if crew changes do not happen as planned, “safety the health, safety and welfare of seafarers suffer tremendously.”
