Companies sign global crew change declaration
Heavyweights in the international maritime industry have signed a joint declaration supporting the resolution of the ongoing crew change crisis.
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas Correspondent
The Global Maritime Forum and a task force of stakeholders across the industry have officially released the long-anticipated Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change.
According to a press release, the declaration is a worldwide call to action requesting governments, companies, and humanitarian groups to resolve the ongoing crew change crisis caused by COVID-19.
The group calls this problem “unprecedented” and a threat to the world’s supply chains.
Over 300 organizations have signed the declaration, reports Seatrade-Maritime News.
“We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis at sea,” said Jeremy Nixon, the chief executive of Ocean Network Express, in a statement. “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.”
Nixon, the World Shipping Council’s board co-chairperson, is one of the coordinators of the task force that defined the content of the declaration.
Graham Westgarth, the chair of V Group, worked with Nixon on organizing the declaration.
“Seafarers play a significant role in the global race to halt the coronavirus pandemic by providing critical medical supplies to the world’s population, particularly in developing economies,” Westgarth said. “We call on our peers, government bodies, and other stakeholders to join us in our efforts to ensure that the rights and wellbeing of the frontline workers of global supply chains are respected.”
The Neptune Declaration is supported by industry and stakeholder organizations, including AP Møller – Mærsk, BP, BW, Cargill, COSCO, DOW, Euronav, MISC Group, NYK, Rio Tinto, Shell, Trafigura, Unilever, and Vale.
