Page 13 - INTERCARGO - Annual Report_2021

Crew change tops the industry’s agenda

under COVID-19

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers have found themselves both on
the front line of the global response, and subjected to near impossible working
conditions, surrounded by uncertainties and difficulties around shore leave in
ports, access to medical facilities on shore, re-supply, crew changeovers and
repatriation.
INTERCARGO applauds the efforts of those countries which have begun seafarer
inoculation programmes utilising their ports as vaccination hubs. Vitally they are
vaccinating both national and international seafarers that enter their ports and
INTERCARGO urges all other maritime nations to follow this lead and ensure
vaccination programmes are put in place to support the seafarer, especially in light
of the continuing emergence of new variants of the COVID-19 virus.

While steps have been taken to improve the situation in the bodies of their loved ones repatriated. Every day sea-
the last twelve months, there remains uncertainty amongst farers on shore, and their families, are suffering stress and
many ships’ crews who are still unsure of when they will be worry over re-employment and resuming earnings, whilst
repatriated and what the future holds for them. their counterparts on board are fatigued and anxious for re-
lief so they can reunite with those at home.
The shipping industry is encouraged with the progress in
seafarer vaccinations. However, short supply of COVID-19 INTERCARGO believes that the focus of attention should be
vaccines has largely limited the access of seafarers to vac- on the following measures:
cines. Furthermore, ensuring access to the second dose of
• Coordinated arrangements by more countries for
the vaccine remains a challenge and, in many cases, there is
seafarers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, especially
a significant gap between the two doses for seafarers. Ship
in Asia
managers also report reluctance by some seafarers to be-
• More ports to set up programs to offer vaccines to
come vaccinated.
international seafarers following the example of the US
Travel restrictions, shortage and frequent cancellation and some European countries
of flights, and stricter crew change requirements in some • Globally consistent and harmonised approach to
ports continue to create problems for seafarers. Seafarers register and recognise vaccination certificates including
and their families have faced a seemingly unending series QR codes to facilitate crew travel
of challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic first struck. The • Seafarers to be allowed immediate access to medical
uncertain vaccination picture ensures that the crew change care and urgent medical evacuation
crisis is by no means over. • More countries to implement pragmatic COVID-19
border controls to allow seafarers joining and signing
In addition, in the distressing case of seafarers dying on
off ships when they have fulfilled their service contract
board, families continue to face immense hurdles in having

For more information on this topic please visit:
intercargo.org/operational-considerations-for-managing-covid-19-cases-on-board-ships 11