Subject: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Communication from the Secretary-General on the crew change crisis

It is globally recognized that maritime transport is vital to keeping the global supply chain operational during the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery. Keeping ships moving requires shipowners and operators to conduct crew changes under safe conditions.

Six months after the start of the pandemic, the humanitarian crisis at sea persists due to restrictions preventing crew changes. It is estimated that more than 300,000 seafarers and maritime personnel remain on board commercial vessels with expired contracts, unable to be repatriated. In some cases, seafarers have remained on board for more than 17 months, facing difficulties in obtaining shore leave and medical care. Simultaneously, a similar number of seafarers are unemployed ashore, unable to join their ships.

The Secretary-General warns that if the crew change crisis is not resolved, ships will be unable to operate safely in accordance with the Organization’s regulations, which would worsen the economic impact of the pandemic.

Call to Member States

The Secretary-General reiterates his call to Member States to adopt the following measures:

• Designating all seafarers and maritime personnel (regardless of nationality) within their jurisdiction as “key workers” providing an essential service.
• Implementing the protocols and guidance in the Circular Letter No. 4204 series to enable safe crew changes.
• Removing barriers to crew changes, including visa, flight, and domestic travel restrictions, and allowing access to testing and medical care.

Member States are requested to consider raising this crisis during the high-level week of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, beginning on 22 September 2020.