The plight of seafarers during the the COVID pandemic was on the top of the agenda at a recent meeting of the Asian Shipowners’ Association.
Chairman of ASA Ship Insurance and Liability Committee, Mr Richard Hext said, ‘At the peak of the crew change crisis last year, around 400,000 seafarers were stranded at sea. This figure has mercifully reduced to around 200,000, but is still intolerable.
“It is especially disappointing to see cases of prominent ship charterers, including some who have publicly voiced support for seafarers, demanding the inclusion of “no-crew change” clauses in their charterparties or voyage instructions. Such clauses go against the human rights of seafarers and are in clear contravention of Owners’ responsibilities under MLC 2006.”
The ASA also called for governments around the world to implement the UN Assembly Resolution A/75/L37 on key worker status for seafarers and to provide seafarers with access to COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Tadaaki Naito, ASA Chairman, added that the “ASA highly appreciates the UN Assembly Resolution A/75/L37 last November on key worker status for seafarers. We will put our utmost efforts to save our seafarers.’
Shipping Australia CEO Melwyn Noronha commented on the ASA’s statement: “the shipping industry continues it advocacy for governments to recognise seafarers as key workers. The resilience of the world shipping supply chain is dependent on maintaining the focus on crew changes and seafarer vaccinations.”
