An international summit hosted by UK shipping minister Kelly Tolhurst today on shipping's growing crewing crisis is being urged to promote a collective solution by North P&I Club chief executive Paul Jennings.
P&I clubs and their correspondents around the world have played a key role in helping crew get home during the travel and quarantine restrictions put in place to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Jennings, who also chairs the International Group of P&I Clubs, which insures more than 90% of the world's fleet, said: “We have a shared responsibility to sort this out and ensure that the same circumstances can never be allowed to happen again.”
He applauded the UK government's attempts to find a solution.
“We support the UK government summit, which seeks to find practical steps to the crew repatriation crisis," he said. "We are all aware that it is challenging and can take time to find solutions that are globally acceptable but that is not an excuse for inaction.”
The virtual gathering is the first government-level attempt to address the impact of Covid-19 on crew working conditions. Among those attending are IMO secretary general Kitack Lim and the International Chamber of Shipping.
The UK is known to be one of the more progressive countries in helping crew get home during the current pandemic. It has recognised seafarers as key workers and has helped around 7,000 crew members trapped on cruiseships to return home.
Up to 200,000 crew members are estimated to remain trapped onboard ships and working beyond their contracted period of employment.
Jennings said: “Crew changes continue to be hindered by quarantining, visa issues and bureaucracy, and only governments have the power to ensure that different authorities act with common purpose. It is vital that port authorities and national governments treat seafarers with the fairness and respect they deserve, and this requires an orchestrated response.”
