“We welcome the leadership provided by the European Commission in their call to EU member states to facilitate the essential movement of seafarers and marine personnel.

Crew change is a massive problem for the entire shipping industry, in addition to ship operators based in Europe, and we hope that this quick response to our calls to the G20 for action globally will act as a catalyst for other nations, and that the G20, in conjunction with IMO, will quickly put in place pragmatic and coordinated arrangements to allow crew changes to take place.

Seafarers are the unsung heroes keeping supply chains open. It is right that we support them as they quietly support all of us,” Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping stated.

The International Transport Workers' Federation sent a letter on 7 April to the G20 leaders, including the EU, to support the "Unsung Heroes of Global Trade" and put in place coordinated measures to facilitate safe and effective crew changes.

Maritime Business World