Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption it has on the shipping and offshore sector, the world’s largest container line, AP Moller-Maersk has suspended crew changes for all of its operated ships.
Specifically, Maersk issued an emailed statement, according to which crew changes will be suspended for four weeks effective immediately until April 14, 2020.
With the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extraordinarily fast-paced closing of borders and cancellations of airline services, today (17 March 2020) we have decided to suspend all crew changes for Maersk operated container vessels effective immediately and for four weeks until 14th April 2020. The decision is based on the need to keep our crew safe while maintaining operations as normal as possible.
The statement adds that their priority is keeping their people safe; The best they can do is to protect their seafarers by suspending the exchange of crew, as this lessens the number of social interactions they need to have. Secondly, the rapid changes to global travel poses a risk of stranding seafarers in transit, in locations from where they are unable to leave or get sufficient assistance.
Maersk has been in contact with all relevant authorities and organizations and will closely coordinate on any legal or compliance matters to resolve these while ensuring continued safe operation of our fleet.
Similarly, OCIMF decided to suspend all SIRE (Cat-1 and Cat-3) audits, SIRE and OVID refresher courses and new-inspector courses for the year 2020.
