A.P. Møller – Mærsk, BP, ONE, Rio Tinto, Shell, South32, Trafigura, Tidewater and Vale are among the more than 300 organisations which have signed the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change in a worldwide call to action to end the unprecedented crew change crisis caused by COVID-19.

International not-for-profit organisation, the Global Maritime Forum (GMF), outlines that 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 relieved since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

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 integrity of maritime supply chains, which carry 90 per cent of global trade.

Despite significant efforts by international organisations, unions, companies and some governments to resolve this untenable crew change crisis the GMF advises that they are starting to see the situation getting worse as governments bring in more travel bans in response to the new strains of the COVID-19 virus.

A number of key issues leave this critical situation unresolved: national authorities around the world continue to see crew changes and international travel as a COVID-19 risk; high-quality health protocols are not being consistently implemented by ship operators; and the disruption of international air travel has reduced the number of flights between traditional crew change hubs and major seafaring nations.

“We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis at sea. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, seafarers have kept the world supplied with food, energy and other vital goods, with no line of sight of when to go home to their families. They have become hostage of the situation and unable to disembark from their ships. Yet, we can put an end to the crew change crisis without any risk to the general public health,” says Jeremy Nixon, CEO of container shipping company, Ocean Network Express (ONE).

More than 300 companies and organisations 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

Quintin V. Kneen, President and Chief Executive Officer of offshore service vessels provider, Tidewater, said the world relies on the experience and dedication of seafarers to facilitate the transport of essential goods across the globe.

“Throughout these challenging times individual companies have continued to prioritise the wellbeing of seafarers, but there is more that can be done by working together to improve regulations and protocols so that these key workers make it home safely and on schedule,” he said.

“We are proud to support this global effort to rapidly resolve this crew change crisis and we encourage everyone to contribute their support to this important cause.”

The Neptune Declaration has been developed by a taskforce of stakeholders from across the maritime value chain including A. M. Nomikos, Cargill, Dorian LPG, GasLog, Global Maritime Forum, International Chamber of Shipping, International Maritime Employers’ Council, International Transport Workers’ Federation, ONE, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Sustainable Shipping Initiative, Synergy Group, V. Group, and the World Economic Forum.

More information about the Neptune Declaration and to view the full list of undersigning companies and organisations, visit here.