IMCA signs Neptune Declaration on Seafarers Wellbeing & Crew Change

Hundreds of thousands of seafarers from across the globe have been left stranded working aboard ships beyond the expiry of their initial contracts and are unable to be repatriated since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic because of land-based restrictions imposed at borders to prevent the spread of COVID. Fatigue after long periods at sea has significant consequences on the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers. It also increases the risk of maritime incidents and environmental disasters and poses a threat to the supply of energy globally.

Despite significant efforts by the global shipping and offshore industries, in which IMCA played an active role, the situation is worsening as governments implement tighter lockdowns in the face of rising infection rates and the identification of new strains of the COVID-19 virus.

Signatories to the Neptune Declaration recognise that they have a shared responsibility based on their roles across the entire maritime value chain, and beyond, to ensure that the crew change crisis is resolved as soon as possible. The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change defines four main actions to facilitate crew changes and keep global supply chains functioning:

• 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.

Allen Leatt, Chief Executive of IMCA commented:

“Since January 2020, IMCA has played a very active role in addressing the crisis at international level with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO); at national level with over 55 governments which have significant offshore production operations; and at a direct intervention level in assisting mercy repatriation efforts with crews stuck in West Africa and the Middle East. As the Neptune Declaration identifies, the situation is now getting worse but can be resolved without increased risk to the health of the general public if there is the political will to address the crisis at an international level.”

Further information on the Neptune Declaration and the full list of undersigning companies and organisations is available at https://tinyurl.com/y253szcx and on the IMCA website at https://tinyurl.com/y6zk7mcf

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/regulations-and-standards/04022021/imca-signs-neptune-declaration-on-seafarers-wellbeing-crew-change/