More than 80% of world trade is transported by sea, responsible for global supply chains carrying cross-border flows of food, fuel, medical supplies, raw materials and agricultural products. National COVID-19 containment measures, including travel restrictions and border closures, continue to make it increasingly difficult for ship operators worldwide to conduct required crew changes. More than 300,000 seafarers are currently urgently requiring repatriation, many of which have served extended contracts; some seafarers have now been at sea for over 17 months consecutively. At the same time, 300,000 seafarers are waiting to join ships.

This has rapidly unfolded into an urgent humanitarian, safety and economic crisis. Growing concerns of seafarer fatigue and mental health issues, combined with instances of denial of medical care, not only highlight the critical humanitarian dimension, but also pose an increasing risk to navigation safety, threatening both human life and environmental ecosystems. There are also increasing economic concerns regarding the continuity of essential global supply chains.

The efficient continuation of trade and the undisrupted functioning of supply chains will also be affected, because ships with fatigued seafarers cannot operate indefinitely. This will affect all levels of industry, from energy to consumer goods companies. Commercial fishing, an important contributor to food security and livelihoods, is facing a similar crew change problem.

The upcoming World Maritime Day presents an occasion to focus attention on the importance of seafarers’ rights, shipping safety and maritime security. This virtual event will convene:

H.E. James Macharia, E.G.H, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Government of Kenya
H.E. Noriel Araúz, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority
H.E. Arthur Tugade, Secretary of Transportation, Government of the Philippines
Mr. Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary General
Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact
Mr. Guy Ryder, ILO Director General
Mr. Stephen Cotton, General Secretary, International Transport Workers’ Federation
Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping
Ms. Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, VP and CEO, Fleet and Strategic Brands at A.P. Moller-Maersk
Mr. Marc Engel, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Unilever

If you would like to attend this event, please register here.