Governments need to urgently act to ensure ships’ crew changeovers can take place to keep world trade flowing and avert a humanitarian and ship safety crisis, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim reiterated once again during a virtual meeting.

We are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis and a real safety issue - we cannot expect seafarers currently on ships to stay at sea forever. It is the responsibility of Governments to allow shipping to continue moving, and for seafarers to return to their homes, or get to their ships to begin work,
…Mr. Lim noted.

IMO organized the meeting on 9 June, to brief permanent representatives and liaison officers from IMO Member States.

About 150,000 seafarers are waiting to leave their ships since their contracts, as well as any extensions, have expired. A similar number are waiting to sign in, since travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have severely hampered crew changeovers.

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Mr. Lim thanked countries which have made progress by designating seafarers as key workers, by facilitating crew changes through implementing crew change protocols which have been endorsed by IMO, by easing travel restrictions including facilitating the issuance of passports and visas, and by giving seafarers access to medical care.

Earlier in June, Hong Kong announced it would allow crew changes in one of the world’s largest hub ports. The exemption is for crew members of goods vessels, including those without cargo operations.

Meanwhile, Singapore realized the first crew change in early June, under a special protocol.

But I remain very concerned about countries where restrictions are still in place for seafarers,

…Mr. Lim said.