IMO issues revised guidelines for crew changes and repatriations amid the pandemic

While reiterating the urgency to designate seafarers as key workers – and Brazil is one of the 58 State Members that have done so to date -, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has launched an updated version of its “Industry Recommended Framework of Protocols for Ensuring Safe Crew Changes and Travel During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic”.

The revised guidance addresses the global offering of vaccines and the critical part they will play in facilitating crew travels and access to health care to improve the efficiency of world trade amid the pandemic. It sets out general measures and procedures to be adopted by governments and national authorities to ensure the safe movement of crewmembers. It also provides practical advice for shipowners, operators, managers, and flag states to develop action plans and procedures in line with obligations under the IMO ISM Code and ILO MLC 2006.

IMO created an online module on “Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers” to disseminate information provided by the Member States on the facilitation of crew changes and repatriations and the designation of National Focal Points. The tool is available in the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) database.

In collaboration with IMO, The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released an information package to ensure that public authorities and the shipping community access reliable data on the movement of seafarers and aircrews, vaccination programmes and related information. The package comprises the following materials:

1. Status of COVID-19 Vaccines within WHO EUL/PQ evaluation process (WHO link)
2. WHO Covid-19 vaccines – safety surveillance manual (232 pages) (WHO link)
3. UNICEF Vaccine Misinformation Management Field Guide (UNICEF link)
4. COVAX Facility Explainer (WHO link)

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