The International Chamber Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have issued a joint open letter to United Nations agencies, urging governments to keep maritime trade moving by continuing to allow commercial ships access to ports worldwide and by facilitating the movement and rapid changeover of ships’ crews. The letter urges that all seafarers, regardless of nationality, be treated as “key workers.” In addition, the ITF and ICS request that national governments call tripartite meetings to find immediate solutions to the challenges facing seafarers in performing their duties, specifically, crew changes. It is important to note that Canada’s pragmatic approach to trade and the movement of essential transportation workers, including seafarers, has been recognized positively.
