Tag: crew change

Following the coronavirus pandemic and the crew change crisis, major industry players have joined their forces to ensure the safety of their crewmemebers and protect the global supply chain.

Amid COVID-19 crisis and the crew change issue that has presented, the ship management company V. Group managed to facilitate 7,315 seafarers movements in the three months since 17th March.

"Despite of this challenging situation, our seafarers are staying strong to maintain the supply chain moving, to keep the global economy running and to support the lives of people all across the globe. Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.Thank you Seafarers!"

Amid COVID-19 pandemic and the crew change matter that has arise, Container Ship Safety Forum (CSSF) urge authorities and government to enable seafarers' transportation and facilitate travel options by designated them as “key workers”.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the crew change matter that has presented, Human Rights at Sea strongly denounces ITF’s ‘Enough is Enough’ Call to Action.

The Cyprus Shipping Chamber expressed its disappointment that Governments delay the process of finding a solution on crew changes and repatriation.

Last week, MPA Singapore facilitated a second chartered flight for crew change, following the first full crew change using the new protocol earlier in June. Since 27 March 2020, MPA Singapore has approved more than 4,000 cases of crew sign-on and sign-off , involving some 500 ships for over 300 companies.

Due to the decreased ability to conduct crew changes, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and global restrictions,  the Liberia Maritime Authority has issued Marine Advisory to assist ship operators and owners that may be experiencing cases of Crew serving aboard with expired certificates and endorsements.

The UN secretary general called on all countries to formally designate seafarers and other marine personnel as key workers, to ensure safe crew changes and release the 200,000 seafarers who remain onboard with extended contracts. 

'Enough is enough' said ITF on crew changes noting that, from 16 June, seafarers are going to start enforcing their right to stop working and to return home, after governments' failure to enable crew changes and release the 200,000 seamen who remain onboard with extended contracts.