THE UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have welcomed a UN resolution calling for all countries to designate seafarers and other marine personnel as key workers, reports Colchester's Seatrade Maritime News.
The resolution, entitled 'International cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic to support global supply chains', was presented at the 75th Session of the UN's General Assembly and adopted on December 1.
The resolution, put forward by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani of Indonesia, encourages governments to immediately implement measures to allow crew change, and to ensure access to medical care for all maritime personnel.
Indonesia is leading a coalition of 71 countries demanding global government action, and pressure is set to grow on countries that do not recognise maritime personnel as key workers.
The resolution also means the UN now recognises the need for an urgent and concrete response from all stakeholders, including the private sector, to resolve the situation of seafarers stranded at sea and unable to join ships because of national travel restrictions due to Covid-19.
'Sadly, hundreds of thousands of seafarers, who are vital to maintaining supply chains, remain stranded at sea for months beyond their contracted time. This is causing immense strain, fatigue and exhaustion and is unsustainable. I hope that this call to action will result in positive momentum to resolve the crew change crisis,' said IMO secretary-general Lim Ki-tack.
SeaNews Turkey
The resolution, entitled 'International cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic to support global supply chains', was presented at the 75th Session of the UN's General Assembly and adopted on December 1.
The resolution, put forward by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani of Indonesia, encourages governments to immediately implement measures to allow crew change, and to ensure access to medical care for all maritime personnel.
Indonesia is leading a coalition of 71 countries demanding global government action, and pressure is set to grow on countries that do not recognise maritime personnel as key workers.
The resolution also means the UN now recognises the need for an urgent and concrete response from all stakeholders, including the private sector, to resolve the situation of seafarers stranded at sea and unable to join ships because of national travel restrictions due to Covid-19.
'Sadly, hundreds of thousands of seafarers, who are vital to maintaining supply chains, remain stranded at sea for months beyond their contracted time. This is causing immense strain, fatigue and exhaustion and is unsustainable. I hope that this call to action will result in positive momentum to resolve the crew change crisis,' said IMO secretary-general Lim Ki-tack.
SeaNews Turkey