“It is an honour for us to sign, and we pledge to continue our efforts in facilitating crew changes aboard our 4,600 vessels around the globe. Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges, and we have been fighting for the facilitation of crew changes since the early days of the pandemic, working closely with industry bodies such as ICS and ITF, port and coastal states, and with the owners and operators of Liberian flagged vessels," stated Liberian flag’s chief operating officer Alfonso Castillero.

At last week's Davos summit, the declaration was unveiled.

Declaration signatories, including owners, administrators and service providers, call for initiatives to identify seafarers as key workers; give them priority access to Covid-19 vaccines; ensure air travel accessibility for seafarers; encourage crew change collaboration; and participate in the implementation of best-practice health protocols.

Maritime Business World