• Reports of seafarers being denied medical evacuation or access to ports despite serious medical conditions.

• New guidance issued by ICS for shipowners and operators to deal with unwell seafarers
• UN bodies to deliver guidance to member states health ministry’s today to ensure medical assistance is provided to seafarers
• Guy Platten, Secretary General ICS said, “we’re receiving alarming reports of seafarers who are suffering from serious medical injury such as a stroke, be denied medical evacuation for over 4 days. This is simply not acceptable.”

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued updated health guidance for the global shipping industry to ensure ship operators and crew can safely deal with seafarers struggling with medical conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alarming reports indicate that in some cases seafarers are being denied medical attention by port authorities. Many cases of seafarers suffering non-COVID related medical conditions being refused entry to port or denied medical evacuation for over 4 days are being reported. Reminding governments of their obligations to provide medical care for seafarers ICS will address a virtual meeting of healthcare professionals, organized by the World Health Organization, International Maritime Organization and International Labor Organization, where the latest guidance for seafarers will be discussed.

Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping said:

“This guidance should give confidence to national governments that crew changes can and must be carried out. Especially when there are critically ill crew members on board.

“We’re receiving alarming reports of seafarers who are suffering from serious medical injury such as a stroke, be denied medical evacuation for over 4 days. This is simply not acceptable.”

The 48-page document builds on the previous guidance issued in March, providing comprehensive recommendations on:

• Safe port entry
• Shipboard measures to address risks associated with COVID-19
• Managing an outbreak of COVID-19 on board ships
• Managing other medical issues during COVID-19, including medical assistance to seafarers in ports

Since the outbreak of the virus, Covid-19 related restrictions and the drastic reduction of air traffic have prevented over 200,000 seafarers from routine changeovers. Spending an extended period onboard, these seafarers are at risk from adverse health effects, including fatigue and mental health issues.

The new guidance should serve as a reassurance to governments and port authorities that it is fully possible to conduct crew changes in a safe and effective manner. Urgent action is now required to ensure that no other seafarers are subjected to prolonged period without medical assistance if they need it.

Prominent international organizations consulted in the production of the guidance include:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Maritime Health Association (IMHA)
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

The full guidance will be presented at a virtual meeting today held in partnership with the WHO and other international bodies including the IMO and ILO. This will be delivered to member states national health ministries and global port authorities, ensuring they have the information they need.

Download the guidance, including forms for seafarers and port authorities plus posters listed below, here.

Included are:

• 10 posters for use onboard ship
• Sample seafarer and passenger pre-boarding passenger locator form (PLF)
• Crew self-declaration form to aid safe passage
• Recommend WHO COVID-19 support and logistics supplies list, including stocks of PPE
• How to make a non-medical mask
• Interim guidance on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19
• Measures to enhance mental health and wellbeing
• Ability for seafarers to renew prescriptions

The posters are also available to download as single pdf files on https://www.ics-shipping.org/free-resources/covid-19