1. IMO

The below represent the latest information from the IMO.  

• Addendum no. 35/rev.11 issued on 22 March 2022 provides a consolidated list of the IMO members that have so far notified IMO on their designation of seafarers as key workers. The latest list of 65 notifications is shown below with the addition of Morocco :

• The IMO Secretary General, in addition to IMO circular letter no. 4524, which appeared in our weekly COVID-report dated 11 March, has expressed his deep concern via IMO circular letter no. 4524/Add.1, regarding the spillover effects of the military action in Ukraine on global shipping, logistics and supply chains. The security threats to merchant shipping can be found on this NATO link.
• The IMO held an Extraordinary General Meeting of its Council on 10 and 11 March to discuss the impact of the present conflict situation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov ( the "high risk areas")  on shipping and seafarers. Several decisions were made, in particular, an agreement to establish as provisional and urgent measure, a blue safe maritime corridor for the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships from the high risk areas allowing ships to commercially navigate and mobilise as necessary, thus avoiding the military attacks, whilst protecting and securing the maritime domain. As COVID-19 is still ongoing, these decisions would also overlap with measures taken for the pandemic.  In addition, the same measures applicable to protect seafarers during COVID-19 are also applicable here as addressed by the Council to support the seafarers, in particular, as key workers, they are given unrestricted movement with ships allowing to sail from the ports of Ukraine at the earliest opportunity given,  and due to the conflict, it was proposed that government states exempt their seafarers from mandatory military service. 

• Addendum no. 44  to IMO circular letter No. 4204, issued on 28 February, publishing a joint IMO/ILO/UNCTAD /WHO statement urging continued collaboration to address crew change crisis, safeguard seafarer health and safety, and avoid supply chain disruptions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

• Addendum no. 4/Rev. 4 to IMO circular letter No. 4204,  issued on 28 February, providing an updated version of the ICS guidance for ship operators for the protection of the health of seafarers.  

 

2. Government States

Australia 

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority issued Marine notice 08/2022 to remind companies, owners and masters of ships that seafarers should be afforded shore leave as required by the Maritime Labour Convention to ensure their well-being in promoting better physical and mental health conditions for seafarers as well as reducing the risks of fatigue, notwithstanding that Australia still have COVID-19 protocols albeit relaxed ones.See also COVID-19 requirements for maritime crew. 

Canada

COVID-19 vaccine is now available for foreign seafarers in Canada. See Ship Safety Bulletin no. 11/2022 for full details on how to get the vaccine.  SBB no. 12/2022 has just been issued relating to updated guidelines respecting the mobility of asymptomatic presumed non-COVID 19 carrying seafarers in the marine sector during the pandemic, in particular the changes made to the tests required for seeking entry into the country . This SSB supersedes SSB no. 06/2022. 

Myanmar

The Myanmar's department of Marine Administration issued Marine instruction 3/2022 regarding further extension of the validity of STCW certificates that are expiring between the period of 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022 shall be extended to 31 December 2022 without need to submit application at the DMA. For full details including revalidation of CoCs and CoPs, please refer to the said marine instruction issued via an IMO circular letter no. 4246/Add.12. 

Russia

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has granted an extension to 3O September 2022 inclusive on seafarers' certificates and documents which have expired or due to expire. In addition, validity of certificates of competence/endorsements and other relevant STCW certificates will be extended for a 3 months for seafarers on board ships and unable to do the extension. Please read the IMO circular letter no. 4237/Add.29 for full details.  

 

3. World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO has issued on 17 June 2022, interim statements on the following and would reflect the current vaccine performance as of June 2022: 

• Decision-making considerations for the use of variant updated COVID-19 vaccines; and 
• The composition of current COVID-19 vaccines

Please see BIMCO-WHO for more information.

 

4. IMO Crew Change - National Focal Point for Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers

According to GISIS today, the list of countries (56) informing the IMO of their national focal point of contact for crew change and repatriation of seafarers are: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) ,  the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium,  Brazil, Canada, Chile,  Cook Islands, Costa Rica , Cyprus, Dominica, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Libya , the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco ,  Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore , Sint Maarten ( Kingdom of the Netherlands) ,  Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand , Tunisia, Ministry of Transport ( new), Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu. 

 

5. Port State Control - MOU 

Due to the situation in Ukraine, collective guidance harmonising the Port State Control activities ( PSC) has now been issued by the Indian Ocean, Paris, and Tokyo MoU on PSC and Vina del Mar Agreement relating to the repatriation of seafarers. Full information can be found in an IMO circular letter no. 4524/Add.2 dated 31 March 2022. 

See also BIMCO Port State Control Regimes- MOU 

 

6. ILO

 

The International Labour Organization  (ILO) issued the following on maritime labour issues and COVID-19:

• Information note (revised version 3.0 dated  3 February 2022), addressing the current COVID-19 situation and how the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 as amended (MLC, 2006) pertaining to seafarers' rights ought to be implemented including inter-alia, the application of force majeure may no longer be invoked when there are other options available. 
• Extract from the 2022 Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations relating to COVID-19 and maritime labour issues.
• ILO Special Tripartite Committee (STC) on MLC,2006 - a statement issued by the officers of STC on 11 February 2022 pertaining to the continuing negative impact of the pandemic on seafarers' rights.

 

7. Others 

Safety4Sea organised from 21 June to 23 June 2022, a "2022 crew welfare week: how to improve life at sea in the post pandemic shipping" where sessions were held exploring topics ranging from investment in crew welfare and initiatives, soft skills, mental health to seafarers' rights to diversity & inclusion.  

 

8. BIMCO

BIMCO General COVID-19 Links

BIMCO is continuously monitoring COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on the shipping industry in particular on crew changes. Below are some of the type of information  currently being provided by BIMCO :

• Details about implementation measures imposed for sea transport
• Overview of challenges to crew mobility
• Overview of extensions and exceptions to seafarers' certificates
• COVID-19 seafarers' mental health

You can also view all information on our COVID-19 landing page.