UN: World Could Not Function Without The Efforts Of Seafarers
The UN Secretary-General is concerned about the growing humanitarian and safety crisis facing seafarers around the world. As a result of COVID-related travel restrictions, hundreds of thousands of the world’s two million seafarers have been stranded at sea for months. Unable to get off ships, the maximum sea time stipulated in international conventions is being ignored, with some seafarers marooned at sea for 15 months.
Shipping transports more than 80% of world trade, including vital medical supplies, food, and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery.
This ongoing crisis will have direct consequences on the shipping industry. The world could not function without the efforts of seafarers yet their contributions go largely unheralded; they deserve far greater support at any time but especially now.
The Secretary-General calls on all countries to formally designate seafarers and other marine personnel as “key workers” and ensure crew changeovers can safely take place.
United Nations agencies, including the International Labour Organisation and the International Maritime Organization, have worked with the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers Federation to develop protocols for crew changeovers, taking full account of public health concerns. The Secretary-General calls on all governments to urgently implement these protocols, allowing stranded seafarers to repatriate and others to join ships.
Reference: un.org
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Despite all efforts from ICS and ILO nobody is concerned about seafarers. We are stuck at Malaysia. Vessel is on time charter and Malaysia has suspended all crew changes till 31st August. We have completed 11 months onboard and still there is no hope for sign off. We all are mentally tired and frustrated and this is going to turn into very worst scenario.
That’s great. All so many of seafarers all round the world waiting for joining to the vessel due to Corona many of seafarer need to renew their short courses please give them to one year period of inteverl time . thanks.