IMO: Number of seafarers awaiting repatriation halved, but no room for complacency

The number of seafarers requiring repatriation after finishing their contracts has declined from around 400,000 in September 2020 to around 200,000 as of March 2021, with a similar number waiting to join ships.

The figures are derived from collective industry analysis, according to the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said that one of the contributing factors to the decrease was the adoption of the United Nations Assembly resolution calling on UN Member States to designate seafarers and other marine personnel as key workers.

This is in combination with the concerted efforts by governments, shipowners, and others.

However, Lim warned that there was no room for complacency.

Even though the numbers bring some optimism on resolving the matter, there is a growing concern that this number could grow again, especially as governments continue reintroducing stricter border control and travel restrictions due to new COVID-19 variants.

“The crew change crisis is not resolved but has reached a situation where it has been more manageable. However, there is great concern over the increased travel restrictions being imposed by governments in response to new variants. Seafarers must be designated as keyworkers,” said Guy Platten, Secretary General ICS.

“Governments will not be able to vaccinate their citizens without the shipping industry or, most importantly, our seafarers.”

“Unless governments move from the protectionist positions that they’ve been in for over 12 months now, and allow seafarers genuine free movement and prioritization for vaccinations sadly the situation could easily spiral out of control yet again,” said Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary.

What is more, due to the impact of the pandemic on the crew change, the industry fears that many seafarers might quit the profession.

Source: World Maritime News