Crew changes – a difficulty all shipping businesses, and charterers continue to share…
Seafarers are keeping the world moving, and should 100% able to carry out their duties without the fear of not returning home, or risk being stranded overseas. The prospect of joining a vessel to relieve someone else is still a daunting one …
How do we alleviate this?
Increased testing? Shorter rotations / tighter schedules? Better co-operation and relationships with international ports? What about more transparency, and sharing information on protocols or detail COVID plans?
No doubt - a very complex and political issue, but thankfully, positive changes are already occurring in some countries, crucial gatherings of key industry leaders, opening up of windows and allowing crew changes to take place.
There are organisations such as the IMEC and other partner organisations such as; the IMO, and ILO, working tirelessly to provide up to-date information and continue to improve conditions, and ensure fair treatment of seafarers.
http://www.imec.org.uk/covid-19-crew-change-protocols/