Maritime labour groups have come together and issued a letter to the Minister of Transport, urging a firm deadline on the crew change crisis that has resulted in more than 400,000 seafarers globally now serving on board vessels up to nine months longer than the maximum period of eleven months service on board permitted under the Maritime Labour Convention. The group recognizes Canada’s exemplary work to designate seafarers as key workers, facilitate entry visas for foreign crew members joining vessels and has been viewed as a global leader for securing safe passage for some crew members, but believe that more needs to be done. The group is urging the Government of Canada to follow suit with Australia and announce a firm deadline upon which Transport Canada’s Port State Control officers will begin enforcing the limit of service without exceptions.
On December 1st, the United Nation’s General Assembly adopted the Resolution, entitled ‘International cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to support global supply chains.’ The resolution, put forward by Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani of Indonesia, encourages governments to immediately implement measures to allow crew change, and to ensure access to medical care for all maritime personnel.