Following the COVID-19 pandemic situation and the travel bans that has brought, crewmembers’ transfers in Singapore and Shanghai have been ceased, as Bloomberg reported. Specifically, the port restrictions and the canceled flights that the outbreak has resulted, reduce the ability to replace seafarers onboard ships.
According to a letter by International Chamber of Shipping, around 100.000 seafarers need to be changed over from vessels in order to be in line with the maritime rules concerning safe working hours and crew well-being.
If the changeover restrictions continue, fewer available vessels and higher freight costs will be further presented.
“Most ports have stopped crew changes as part of a concerted effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Our problem is trying to solve a complex logistics issue of getting crew onto limited flights to countries that will allow such changes at their ports”… said to Bloomberg, Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc. Chief Executive Officer Gerardo Borromeo.
In light of the situation, regions and port authorities should consider exemptions for seafarers such as to those granted to airline and health workers.
“You do not want to risk working with a fatigued, overworked crew. Exhausted seafarers are more prone to distress and lack of focus, which can lead to accidents. The longest seafarers should be on board a ship is 11 months, according to the Maritime Labor Convention”… Dario Alampay, chairman of the Filipino Shipowners Association further reported to Bloomberg.
As Mr. Gerardo Borromeo continued, it is of vital importance for the industry and the government to collaborate and establish new protocols that include temperature checks and 14-day quarantines for crew changes, so as to drop shipowners’ costs.
Overall, among others, Synergy Group and INTERCARGO urged all ports to keep permitting crew changes due to the increased number of national travel restrictions. While at the same time, MPA Singapore has launched a circular providing circumstances where crew will need to disembark or embark the ship. This is a step to address the ongoing crew change problem that many seafarers face.
