Proinde

Over ten months since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern, hundreds of thousands of seafarers remain stranded on vessels well after their contracts expire. At the same time, thousands more are prevented from leaving their country of residence to join ships elsewhere in the world and relief their exhausted colleagues.

In response to calls from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to curb the growing humanitarian and safety crisis that affects seafarers, Brazil has joined other 45 state members to recognise these professionals as key workers and ensure that existing restrictions on crew changes and shore leave are lifted. IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.35 dated 14 December encourages other countries to follow suit to allow safe and smooth crew changeovers.

As of December, IMO estimates that more than 400 thousand seafarers cannot go home many months beyond their contract’s termination. An equal number of workers are unable to join the ships to replace them.

IMO Circular Letter No.4204/add.36 of 18 December draws stakeholders’ attention to the practice adopted by some charterers of demanding “No Crew Change” clauses in charter parties, which obviously aggravates mental and physical stress among seafarers and undermines the principles outlined in the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

Since national borders were closed last March, seafarers carrying appropriate identity documents have been allowed unrestricted movements to change crews and disembarks for medical treatment. However, as several countries keep their airspace closed for flights departing from Brazil, many seafarers are prevented from leaving their vessels several months after their contract ends. Current travel restrictions have even delayed repatriation of human remains, further exacerbating families and friends’ mourning and despair.