BY STAS MARGARONIS
In a September 4th letter, Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), urged member countries to take immediate steps to end the stranding of seafarers on merchant vessels around the world due to the COVID pandemic and raise the issue at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22nd.
On World Maritime Day, 24 September 2020, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Global Compact, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, are bringing together heads of UN agencies, governments, multinational corporations, and shipowner and seafarer representatives, to discuss the present crisis and raise awareness for the important and unsung role of seafarers. To attend the webinar, please see this link: http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/FAQ-on-crew-changes-and-repatriation-of-seafarers.aspx
Lim praised seafarers working on merchant vessels have kept international trade flowing while being unable to leave their vessels or for their land-based crew members to replace them and called the seafarers efforts “nothing short of heroic.”
Lim noted:
“Nearly 6 months have passed since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and the numerous restrictions and obstacles that prevent crew changes have created a humanitarian crisis at sea. According to estimates from the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers Federation, more than 300,000 seafarers and marine personnel remain on board commercial vessels, unable to be repatriated and past the expiry of their contracts. In some cases, seafarers have been aboard their ships for more than 17 months, added to the challenges faced to get proper access to medical care and shore leave. A similar number of seafarers have been prevented from joining ships to change crews, creating a situation where they are unable to work. Despite these challenges, the seafarers on board ships have continued working, and the essential services seafarers have provided to the world have been nothing short of heroic. “
He said: “The crew change crisis must be resolved at the soonest possible time. Doing so requires a whole of government approach, across multiple ministries.”
Lim reiterated his call to IMO member nations to take the following steps:
- Designate all seafarers and marine personnel (not only nationals) within their jurisdiction as key workers providing an essential service.
- Allow for safe and secure crew changes.
- Remove other barriers to crew changes, such as visa restrictions, flight restrictions, national travel and movement restrictions, access to medical care and testing, etc.
In addition, Lim is asking member nations to raise “the issue of seafarers and the crew change crisis during the upcoming high-level week of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly beginning on 22 September 2020.”