To date, about 500 ships including tankers, bulk carriers, containerships, and offshore vessels have been involved in the incidents, according to MPA.
Following the coronavirus pandemic, for humanitarian purposes and for arrangements that can not be stretched anymore, Singapore continues to allow the disembarkation of seafarers on medical grounds.
MPA also helps to promote the medical attention of all seafarers who seek emergency services.
“There is a global need for large numbers of crew changes to take place. We have seen a sharp increase in the daily crew change applications since our last Port Marine Circular (PMC). As a major port state, Singapore has a responsibility to facilitate crew change in a safe manner for both the country and the ships, given the ongoing pandemic,” Quah Ley Hoon, MPA’s Chief Executive, commented.
MPA, along with other organizations as well as shipping firms, arranged a second chartered crew shift flight on 12 June. Onboard a flight from Mumbai , India, 54 crew members will join six ships in Port of Singapore. The same flight will take 87 crew members back to Mumbai.
“Executive Ship Management is indeed happy to initiate the project taking home Indian seafarers from Singapore and share the flight in the best possible way to facilitate crew change in Singapore by any other ship manager,” B.S. Teeka, CEO of the Executive Group said.
Maritime Business World