The number of crew members trapped aboard ships due to the crew change crisis caused by government Covid-19 border and travel restrictions is rising.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) estimates that there are now approximately 300 000 seafarers and an equal number of unemployed seafarers waiting to join them who are ashore. That makes 600 000 seafarers affected by this crisis.
It’s one month since the ITF told the world’s governments that ‘enough is enough’ and that the federation and its affiliates would assist the world’s seafarers in enforcing their right to stop working, get off and be repatriated to their homes and families following completion of their contracts.
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton says in the month since July 15 there has been some positive movement, but too little progress has been made by governments to bring in the practical exemptions and protocols needed to support functioning crew changes across the world.
“While 300 000 seafarers are trapped working aboard these vessels, another 300 000 are facing financial ruin at home, desperate to relieve these ships and start earning wages again. Governments are the biggest barrier to resolving the growing crew change crisis,” said Cotton.
“Governments must act before we see more people die, or worse – a major maritime disaster. Urgent action is required.”
“We have also made it clear that we and our affiliates will be following up on the 13 governments who made pledges this month at the International Maritime Virtual Summit on Crew Changes hosted by the United Kingdom. We plan to hold them to account and encourage others to join these progressive governments. Governmental lip service is no longer an acceptable solution.”