LettersIn the time of coronavirus, seafarers have kept the world moving: let crew now get relief

Covid-19 restrictions are keeping many seafarers working extended periods, risking their well-being and the supply chain. Despite a 12-step protocol set up by the International Maritime Organisation, too few countries are allowing vital crew changes

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A crew member wearing a protective face mask sounds the horn of their boat, as all working ships sound their horns at the port of Singapore at noon on May 1, in a show of support for seafarers who have helped to keep supply chains open and facilitate maritime trade amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Published: 7:15am, 24 May 2020Updated: 7:15am, 24 May 2020

Ships move over 90 per cent of the world’s trade and every day over 1.2 million seafarers go the extra mile to ensure we have the fuel, food and vital goods we need. They spend prolonged periods of time away from their loved ones, working seven days a week to provide an essential service for all of us. It is thanks to them that we have food, medicine and other essential supplies.

Since March, when many countries around the world imposed lockdowns, and commercial flights all but ceased, our seafarers have carried on, often working beyond their contracts to ensure the world stays supplied. But this cannot carry on indefinitely and many have seen their contracts extended yet again, as we have been unable to carry out crew changes due to Covid-19.

Contracts have now been extended one final month to June 16 to allow governments around the world to recognise seafarers as essential workers and allow travel restrictions to be eased. Every day of inaction adds to the 150,000 seafarers already in need of crew change.

Continued delay in allowing crew to be relieved threatens the safety, welfare and mental well-being of our seafarers and, of course, risks the supply chain we all rely on.

We have done our homework. The International Maritime Organisation, with the help of the International Chamber of Shipping and a coalition of industry associations, has laid out a 12-step crew change set of protocols to effectively manage the risk of moving crew from their homes to the ships and vice versa. This 12-step plan provides safe, effective steps that can be taken by any government, supported by shipping companies, to facilitate crew change based on the latest recommendations of the World Health Organisation and other expert bodies.