The main purpose of the guidance is to provide recommendations to the relevant authorities in port and coastal States on the prompt disembarkation of seafarers from ships to receive medical care ashore amid the outbreak, particularly when it involves a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
Prompt and efficient disembarkation of seafarers to receive medical care ashore during the pandemic is essential for the protection of seafarer and public health and vital for the maintenance of global supply chains. Therefore, it must be effectively managed through prompt and predictable arrangements by port and coastal States and good communication and cooperation between ships and the relevant authorities ashore.
...as IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim noted.
For the records, behind the recommendations' development was IMO along with ICS, IAPH, BIMCO, IFSMA, INTERTANKO, P&I Clubs, CLIA, INTERCARGO, InterManager, IPTA, IMCA, INTERFERRY, FONASBA, ITF and WSC.
Therefore, recommendations promoting consistency and efficiency by port and coastal States to disembark seafarers to receive medical care ashore during the coronavirus crisis, should help ensure the safety and well-being of seafarers and functioning of global supply chains.
...Kitack Lim added.
In light of the seafarers' welfare, INTERTANKO, representing independent tanker owners of the world, recently issued guidance on how to manage crew welfare amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explore more herebelow
"Recommendations for port and coastal States on the prompt disembarkation of seafarers for medical care ashore during the COVID-19 pandemic"
