Amid the heightened humanitarian crisis due to lack of sufficient action by governments in ensuring crew changes happen , European and international maritime industry stakeholders joined forces to seek political leadership and commitment by European leaders to the welfare of seafarers.
The European and international social partners for maritime transport ECSA, ETF, ICS, ITF, as well as CLIA, WSC, IMEC, INTERTANKO and INTERMANAGER, urge leaders “to commit to doing everything in their power” to promote the facilitation of crew changes by EU Member States and third countries so that they can take place without further delays.
As a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions and border closures, hundreds of thousands of seafarers are stranded around the world. Over 250,000 seafarers are currently waiting for crew changes on ships, with some of them having already spent 15 months or more on board. An equal number are awaiting to join ships.
In addition to the immense pressure this situation creates for individual seafarers, this is also a time of considerable difficulty for global and national economies. Ensuring crew changes can take place in EU ports without any impediment should be seen strategically as part of the broader recovery plan for European industries, according to the abovementioned partners.
Specifically, they argue that the EU is “uniquely placed” to make a difference and call on all governments to lead by example by, without further delay:
They call upon the decision makers in EU institutions and Member States to use the upcoming high level meetings in European Parliament, Council and European Council and the UK led crew change summit to show their political responsibility and be of service to the many seafarers who have served the world over the past months.
Joint letters were sent to the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen; President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli; President of the European Council, Charles Michel; and the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel as current President of the Council of the European Union, and several European Members of Parliament and Member States.