PR87735

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Jan. 26, 2021/PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

Global industry and human rights leaders, including A.P. Moller - Maersk, BP,

BW, Cargill, COSCO, DOW, Euronav, MISC, NYK, Rio Tinto, Shell, Trafigura,

Unilever and Vale, sign the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew

Change in a worldwide call to action to end the unprecedented crew change

crisis caused by Covid-19.

Hundreds of thousands of seafarers from across the globe have been left

stranded working aboard ships beyond the expiry of their initial contracts and

are unable to be relieved since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fatigue after long periods at sea has significant consequences on the physical

and mental wellbeing of seafarers. It also increases the risk of maritime

incidents and environmental disasters, and poses a threat to the integrity of

maritime supply chains, which carry 90% of global trade.

Despite significant efforts by international organizations, unions, companies

and some governments to resolve this untenable crew change crisis we are

starting to see the situation getting worse as governments bring in more travel

bans in response to the new strains of the Covid-19 virus. A number of key

issues leave this critical situation unresolved: national authorities around

the world continue to see crew changes and international travel as a Covid-19

risk; high-quality health protocols are not being consistently implemented by

ship operators; and the disruption of international air travel has reduced the

number of flights between traditional crew change hubs and major seafaring

nations.

"We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis at sea. Throughout the coronavirus

pandemic, seafarers have kept the world supplied with food, energy and other

vital goods, with no line of sight of when to go home to their families. They

have become hostage of the situation and unable to disembark from their ships.

Yet, we can put an end to the crew change crisis without any risk to the

general public health," says Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE.

More than 300 companies and organizations recognize that they have a shared

responsibility based on their roles across the entire maritime value chain, and

beyond, to ensure that the crew change crisis is resolved as soon as possible.

They have signed the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change

https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/content/2020/12/The-Neptune-Declaration-on-Seafarer-Wellbeing-and-Crew-Change.pdf]

that defines four main actions to facilitate crew changes and keep global

supply chains functioning:

- Recognize seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to Covid-19

  vaccines

- Establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing

  best practice

- Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate

  crew changes

- Ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers

"Seafarers play a significant role in the global race to halt the coronavirus

pandemic by providing critical medical medical supplies to the world's

population, particularly in developing economies. They are crucial to millions

of peoples' wellbeing. We call on our peers, government bodies and other

stakeholders to join us in our efforts to ensure that the rights and wellbeing

of the frontline workers of global supply chains are respected," says Graham

Westgarth, Chairman of V. Group.

The Neptune Declaration has been developed by a taskforce of stakeholders from

across the maritime value chain including A. M. Nomikos, Cargill, Dorian LPG,

GasLog, Global Maritime Forum, International Chamber of Shipping, International

Maritime Employers' Council, International Transport Workers' Federation, ONE,

Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Sustainable Shipping Initiative, Synergy

Group, V. Group, and World Economic Forum.

See the Neptune Declaration and the full list of undersigning companies and

organizations here:

https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/content/2020/12/The-Neptune-Declaration-on-Seafarer-Wellbeing-and-Crew-Change.pdf].

Further information: Head of Communications

                      Torben Vemmelund

                      tve@globalmaritimeforum.org

                      +45-2224-1446.

Source:Neptune Declaration