The Swedish Club has launched its COVID-19 handbook, offering clear, simple, and practical advice to help both those at sea and those onshore to face the day-to-day challenges posed by the pandemic.

These challenges have caused the whole shipping industry to pull together and provide a quantity of high quality and informed advice to those formulating policies in these new and difficult times. Yet with such a volume of information and such a complex industry, it can be hard for some sectors to find the level of information they need to safely fulfill their job roles.

The COVID-19 handbook aims to meet the needs of those in positions of responsibility at sea and those supporting them onshore, providing simple guidance and concise information on understanding and implementing the practices and procedures which are now necessary for safe and successful operations on board ship.

“We have seen the pandemic cause unprecedented operational challenges for our members,” said Lars Rhodin, Managing Director of The Swedish Club. “Crew changes, quarantine requirements, disruptions, and delays, have become day-to-day issues in these difficult times. Whilst the wider long-term effects are more unpredictable, what we do know is that those on board and ashore must put procedures in place to ensure the continuing safety of crew and the ongoing protection of their business activities.”

Part One of the COVID-19 handbook focuses on keeping the crew safe, looking after the crew’s mental wellbeing, coming into port, and dealing with visitors the ship.

Part Two focuses on Club cover and provides advice on some of the most common situations a vessel could face in this new environment.

The Swedish Club would like to thank those organisations who have contributed source material for this handbook, including the International Chamber of Shipping and ISWAN. The COVID-19 handbook can be downloaded at https://www.swedishclub.com/films-and-publications/publications/loss-prevention-and-brochures/