INTERNATIONAL Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) are calling on government to keep maritime trade moving by continuing to allow commercial ships access to ports worldwide.
They wrote in a letter that as 'the covid-19 pandemic takes hold, it is important for G20 governments to fully understand that around 90 per cent of global trade is transported by commercial shipping, which moves the world's food, energy and raw materials, as well as manufactured goods and components - including vital medical supplies and many products sold in supermarkets'.
It said that these items are 'necessary for the preservation of many jobs in manufacturing - without which modern society simply cannot function.
'In this time of global crisis, it is more important than ever to keep supply chains open and maritime trade and transport moving. Leadership from the G20 in calling for a coordinated approach by governments, working in conjunction with the UN's International Maritime Organisation, WHO, and other relevant agencies is therefore of the utmost importance.
'We therefore call on the G20 to highlight the critical importance of this issue, ideally by including a short reference to this matter in any communique issued in connection with the meeting on March 24.'
WORLD SHIPPING
They wrote in a letter that as 'the covid-19 pandemic takes hold, it is important for G20 governments to fully understand that around 90 per cent of global trade is transported by commercial shipping, which moves the world's food, energy and raw materials, as well as manufactured goods and components - including vital medical supplies and many products sold in supermarkets'.
It said that these items are 'necessary for the preservation of many jobs in manufacturing - without which modern society simply cannot function.
'In this time of global crisis, it is more important than ever to keep supply chains open and maritime trade and transport moving. Leadership from the G20 in calling for a coordinated approach by governments, working in conjunction with the UN's International Maritime Organisation, WHO, and other relevant agencies is therefore of the utmost importance.
'We therefore call on the G20 to highlight the critical importance of this issue, ideally by including a short reference to this matter in any communique issued in connection with the meeting on March 24.'
WORLD SHIPPING