Following the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping alliance informed that more than 100.000 seafarers are stranded at sea, due to the shutdowns which prevent them from entering, transiting countries or even finding flights so as to return home.
In light of the situation, the alliance has developed port viability and detailed seafarer risk assessment plans in order to reduce the risks of COVID-19 infections during crew changeovers.
For this reason, the alliance urges the government to immediately act and enable the resumption of crew changes including the designation of seafarers as ‘key workers’.
We understand Covid-19 is a black swan event. But measures aimed at protecting society were never intended to prevent key workers from carrying out tasks essential to the ongoing wellbeing of society. These policies were also not intended to be detrimental to the welfare of key workers such as seafarers. Yet that is exactly what is now happening. Current policy represents a potentially disastrous own goal.
….Captain Rajesh Unni, CEO and Founder of leading Singapore-based ship manager Synergy Group noted.
For the records, the alliance represented more than 1.500 vessels and over 70.000 seafarers. Namely it includes D/S Norden, Grieg Star, Reederei Nord, Dynacom, V.Group, Wilhelmsen Ships Service, Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), Magsaysay, Augustea, Columbia Ship Management, Inchcape Shipping Services and Synergy Group.
In response to the crew changes crisis, the alliance came together to find an immediate solution. In fact, members believe that collective crew changes at identified ports are a feasible short-term aim even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic if State assistance is made available.
The alliance has identified key ports where collective crew changes can potentially be organised. The ports include Singapore, Houston, Rotterdam, Gibraltar, Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
As well as identifying ports we have also developed a rigorous risk assessment methodology and drawn up action plans that we, as employers of seafarers and organisers of crew logistics, can implement to mitigate the risks of infection.
….Captain Unni continued.
Moreover, the alliance considers that collective crew changes can be managed at minimal risk if owners and managers work on the micro level to deal with the logistics of transporting a seafarer from his home to the vessel and vice versa.
Simply put, governments need to adopt mechanisms which allow unencumbered movement of seafarers to and from their vessels. The European Commission has issued guidelines to this effect. These should be adopted not only by EU members but on a global basis.
…Graham Westgarth, CEO of V.Groug concluded.
