The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented crew change crisis. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers have been stranded working aboard ships beyond the expiry of their contracts. Meanwhile, thousands of seamen and women are unable to reach ships for crew change, leading to financial uncertainty for themselves and their families. As the frontline workers of the maritime industry carrying 90% of global trade, seafarers play a pivotal role in ensuring the global flow of goods that the world depends on.

On 1 December 2020 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the “International cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to support global supply chains”. Despite such major efforts by international organisations including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO), national governments, industry associations, labour unions, NGOs and individual companies, the issue is far from being resolved.

This is an unacceptable way to treat seafarers who are key to maintaining the global flow of essential (and less essential) goods. Fatigue after extended periods at sea has significant consequences on the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers. It also increases the risk of maritime accidents and environmental disasters, and poses a wider threat to the integrity of global supply chains which depend on safe and reliable maritime transport.

Recognising a shared responsibility to resolve the crew change crisis, more than 600 companies and organisations including IUMI have signed the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change. The Neptune Declaration urges the implementation of four main actions to address the crisis:

• Recognise seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.
• Establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing best practice.
• Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew changes.
• Ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers.

IUMI supports swift and tangible improvements for the more than 1.5 million seafarers from around the world, helping them to reunite with their families and enabling them to join ships and earn a living. The most recent edition of IUMI’s podcast series is dedicated to this urgent issue. You can tune in HERE.