The signatories of the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change promised to meet a shared responsibility to address the crisis that has driven hundreds of thousands of seafarers around the world into what amounts to forced labor.

Stephen Cotton, Secretary General of the International Workers' Federation (ITF), welcomed the commitments of the 327 companies and organizations that have signed the Neptune Declaration, the Global Maritime Forum-led initiative.

“On behalf of A.P. Moller – Maersk, I’ve signed The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change. Our seafarers have made huge personal sacrifices throughout the pandemic to sustain global trade and need to be recognized as key workers in all nations. Our people’s safety is our top priority. Their wellbeing and ability to cross borders is essential for the continued delivery of critical supplies and global trade in time of crisis. We have a shared responsibility to work together to solve this for our unsung heroes,” stated Soren Skou, CEO of A.P. Moler/Maersk.

For all the considerable efforts of shipowners, international bodies and some states, as new travel restrictions are imposed, the situation is only getting worse.

In order to find a solution to this humanitarian crisis, it is important that national governments recognize seafarers as key staff, that onboard and onshore strict health protocols are followed, and that air ties are restored between crew change hubs and major seafaring nations, MSC said.

Major multinationals such as BP, Cargill, Rio Tinto and Shell, Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, Frontline, Euronav, Hapag-Lloyd, MOL, NYK Line, Trafigura and many others are signatories.

Maritime Business World