The International Labour Organization , International Maritime Organization, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development  and the World Health Organization  have today issued a joint statement asking stakeholders to take action to support the world’s 1.9 million seafarers from being unduly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.

The statement comes in the wake of the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), which has, once again, caused many countries to close their borders, curtail crew movements, require additional vaccinations and approved paperwork, and, in many cases, deny seafarers access to appropriate medical care. The UN agencies warn that the impact of these actions would not only cause seafarers (many of whom are from developing countries) undue hardship but could also create supply chain disruptions that would affect the global population.

“The full impact of the Omicron variant and related response measures on crew changes is not yet clear and further VOCs may yet emerge,” the statement says.

The United Nations agencies call for common and proactive approaches to address evolving challenges to international shipping and its key workers, minimize adverse impacts on seafarers and their families, as well as on global trade, supply chains and sustainable development, while continuing to protect local communities.

Calls to action

The agencies reiterated 10 actions that can be taken, summarized below:

1. Ensuring seafarers can access medical care and medical evacuation if needed

2. Granting seafarers “key worker” designation, removing barriers to crew change and safe movement across borders, and recognizing relevant documentation for this purpose.

3. Prioritizing seafarer vaccination in national COVID-19 vaccination programmes and exempting them proof of vaccination as the only mandatory condition for entry, in accordance with WHO recommendations.

4. Providing access to COVID-19 tests and appropriate PPE.

5. Ensuring consistent application of internationally agreed protocols and standards and avoiding punitive measures, fines and excessive costs.

6. Adopting the latest legal instruments, including the MLC, 2006 and the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185), and ensure their implementation.

7. Implementing WHO sector-specific guidance for the management of COVID-19 on board cargo ships and fishing vessels

8. Provision of public key certificates associated with any health proof to relevant trust networks, such as ICAO for international travel.

9. Regularly updating relevant guidance and mechanisms in line with developments and evolving scientific insights on medical emergencies at sea.

10. Working to keep seafarers safe, limiting disruption to supply chains, and preventing the unchecked spread of emerging VOCs, which could prolong the pandemic and its wide-ranging socioeconomic consequences.