Mick Kinley, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, discusses the vulnerability of seafarers and the importance of the Maritime Labour Convention:
This year has seen an unprecedented shift in our community as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic has brought monumental challenges, but it has also been an opportunity for AMSA to prepare for a future where unknowns are the norm and effective regulation is more flexible and responsive.
While the future heralds ongoing environmental and technological changes, the events caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of looking after the people at the heart of our industry—the seafarers maintaining global trade and delivering the vital goods and supplies that we all need.
This important role has unfortunately come at great personal cost to the seafarers. Longer periods at sea, difficulties undertaking shore leave mandatory quarantine and separation from their friends and families, has taken a toll.
The vulnerability of our seafarers is a timely reminder of the importance of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
During the past six months, AMSA has monitored the level of compliance and intervened to support seafarer repatriation during a time of international border closures.
But while flexibility on the part of regulators was necessary when the COVID-19 pandemic began, keeping seafarers on board ships for longer than 11 months is not sustainable.
