In a virtual maritime press round table organized by InterManager, individuals from key industry organizations shared their insights into the implications of COVID-19 for seafarers so far, highlighting that during these challenging times, shipping took immediate action to resolve all issues while notably all stakeholders put aside any differences and worked together towards a common goal. However, support from all governments is now vital to move forward.
Several international associations and organizations, have recently vowed for a fairer treatment to seafarers amid this unprecedented situation. Earlier in May, IMO Secretary General stressed the importance of crew changeovers in order for trade flow to continue, despite the challenges arising by the COVID-19 crisis. Returning to normal is going to be challenging, vigilance and cooperation between maritime industry and governments is the key, participants of the webinar highlighted.
Namely, Mrs. Natalie Shaw – ICS, Mr. Fabrizio Barcelona – ITF, Mr. Rob Verbist – IMHA, Mr. Roger Harris – ISWAN, Mr. Jason Zuidema – ICMA and Capt Kuba Szymanski – InterManager, who was also the chair of this round table meeting, provided feedback on the work that their organizations have done during these couple months and discussed with journalists how industry tackles with welfare support and seafarer replacement/repatriation issues.
Starting Mrs Natalie Shaw noted that ICS focused on medical maritime issues on a global scale, forming immediately a corona welfare group with international maritime, health and labor organizations. Assisting seafarers and their families became a top priority; resources optimization and collaboration were the bases of this group.
Seafarers’ access to medical care has been a challenging matter; this is why they continue discussing with ILO and IMO to understand the barriers and be able to provide proper medical assistance to all. Other important challenges to address are the renewal of passports and visas for seafarers and finding common protocol to facilitate seafarers returning to work. Compared to the aviation sector and other industry sectors, we’ve shown our resilience,” Mrs Shaw noted.
Mr. Rob Verbist noted that due to the pandemic, although ships are usually seen as risks for public health since they may bring disease from overseas, for the first time the risk for ships coming from landside is considered as equally high. ‘’We should see a ship as a household, the intention is to keep people on board together and safe and avoid any introduction of covid’’ he concluded, noting that this is an inspiring perpsective to work on the medical issues.
Regarding mental health onboard, but also for practical problems such as repeat prescriptions for prolonged stays onboard, it is very useful to team up with others who have more or better access to seafarers, Mr Verbist also noted.
On his turn, Mr Roger Harris said that ISWAN has received a triple number of calls though their helpline due to covid-19 concerning mainly repatriation, financial and mental issues. In particular, in the last couple of weeks there has been over 1500 applications to ISWAN’s Hardship Fund in the Philippines. Funders have been generous in providing more resources to the Seafarers Emergency Fund. However, over the next few months more financial support needs to be made available by national governments to seafarers who are unable to work due to the COVID 19 pandemic, he noted.
While welfare organisations, unions, and companies are trying hard to financially support these seafarers, the scale of the problem will require interventions from governments, particularly in the labour supply countries, Mr Harris highlighted as well.
Mr Fabrizio Barcelona also pinpointed that cooperation is key with the full support of Governments and Flag States while Mr. Jason Zuidema from the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) said that their members continue to provide support for crews using digital means. Even small acts can help reduce the sense of social isolation that can build on board when seafarers do not have shore leave, he noted.
Capt. Kuba Szymanski said that it is now the responsibility of governments to give solutions. ‘’If the governments start acting, then the airlines, charterers, and owners will come online, and so on,” he said.
InterManager joined the COVID-19 Seafarers’ Welfare group immediately before lockdown started affecting shipping. The initiative – led by ICS – was very well received by all stakeholders who immediately agreed to meet weekly and discuss the most pressing welfare issues.
Also, among many initiatives, InterManager with support of other industry players, created the Maritime Champions League, which not only provides statistics on seafarers relieved since 23rd March, but also indicates the nationality of those seafarers and the routes successfully used for crew changes. “The league is showing it is possible to repatriate,” Capt Szymanski commented.
