Tag: crew change

ECSA and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) sent a joint letter to the European Commissioner for Transport. The two organizations request her assistance in ensuring EU-wide coordination on implementing the IMO's 'Framework of Protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

InterManager announced launch of the ‘Maritime Champions League’, a website to recognize the efforts of the seafaring community, and to be a place where ship managers share their successful crew repatriation achievements.

The US CDC is allowing crew members to disembark from cruise ships in US waters and return home if cruise lines submit a signed attestation, complying with requirements "to safely disembark their crew members". However, reports say cruise company officials refuse to do so, claiming high costs.

After the UK Prime Minister’s broadcast regarding measures to ease the lockdown, the UK Chamber of Shipping is urging the UK government to exempt seafarers and maritime workers from any quarantine restrictions.

Amid COVID-19 outbreak, more than 2.000 UK seafarers are stranded onboard ships around the global due to the lockdown restrictions, as BBC reported.

In light of the COVID-19 situation and the crew changes issue that has arise, the Flag States of Panama and Liberia joined their forces to strongly support IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14.

MPA Singapore advised holders of Singapore Certificates of Competency and Tanker Endorsement on the requirements for revalidation of Certificates of Competency and Tanker Endorsement to meet STCW Convention.

To help governments establish coordinated procedures to facilitate the safe movement of seafarers, IMO issued a 12-step plan to 174 member states, providing them with a roadmap to free seafarers from their COVID-19 lockdown.

As hundreds of thousands of seafarers have already exceeded length of their tour of duty onboard amid COVID-19 uncertainty, they should request, without delay, access to long-term medications that they require so that they can be delivered as essential items, the ITF noted.

Amid a growing discussion on the need for states to enable crew changes and protect seafarers' rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) officially announced a new process to facilitate crew changes, which are now possible under certain conditions.