The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Global Cruise Lines have reached an agreement that will see crew continue to be repatriated over the coming days.
Accordingly, the seafarers have been stranded onboard the six Global Cruise Lines’ vessels currently in Tilbury and Bristol, in the United Kingdom because of global travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
To remind, UK MCA recently detained five ships owned by Global Cruise Lines in June over ‘serious concerns’ for the crew members’ welfare.
In light of the collaboration, Christian Verhounig, CEO of Global Cruise Lines stated
We appreciate the good relations we have with the ITF and the support they are providing in these difficult times. Their involvement has greatly assisted us in speeding up the repatriation of all our valued crew members.
In the meantime, the General Secretary of the ITF, Stephen Cotton, added that “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on the maritime industry, especially the cruise industry. The ITF recognises that this company is a victim of these circumstances.”
