13 June 2020
The IMO Secretary-General expressed support for the initiative of the Singapore maritime and port community to draw up a Crew Change Guidebook, which could serve as a model to develop similar guidance to address crew change in other ports. The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) initiated the formation of the Singapore Crew Change Working Group with its tripartite partners: the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and the Singapore Maritime Officersʹ Union (SMOU), and in cooperation with the International Maritime Employersʹ Council Ltd (IMEC) and the World Shipping Council (WSC). The working group developed the Guidebook which provides guidance to the shipping community on how to effect crew change in Singapore during these extraordinary times. Arranging crew changes remains one of the biggest challenges the shipping industry is currently facing. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, large numbers of seafarers had their contracts extended, unable to be relieved by a crew change after long tours of duty. This situation is unsustainable and severely affects both the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and the safe operation of ships. It is estimated that starting in mid-June 2020, 300,000 seafarers a month will require international flights to enable shipsʹ crew changeover – about half will travel home by aircraft for repatriation while the other half will join ships. In addition, 70,000 cruise ship staff are currently waiting for their repatriation.