With the pandemic still very much hurting seafarer wellbeing, Grieg Star promises to continue to fight for proper treatment of our colleagues. Last week we signed the Neptune declaration.
One year after the Covid-19 pandemic started, many countries still deny seafarers entry or make it difficult for them to join or leave their vessel. Many countries restrict them from going ashore to get medical care. Grieg Star has for a year fought for the world to recognise seafarers as key workers.
Overcoming the seafarer crisis
Today, on the 20th of January, we sign “The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change – overcoming the Seafarer Crisis”. The Maritime Industry Crew Change Taskforce developed the declaration after the Global Maritime Forum‘s 2020 Virtual High-Level Meeting. The declaration is a joint global “call to action” to revitalise and underline the ongoing crewing crisis. It focuses on actions needed to ensure crew changes and safeguard global supply chains:
- Recognise seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to Covid-19 vaccines.
- Establish and implement a gold standard health protocol based on existing best practice.
- Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew changes.
- Ensure airline connectivity between key marine hubs for seafarers.
The present situation for seafarers worldwide clearly shows that they have not yet received the status of being Key Workers. The challenges continue, both related to legislation and actions taken in port, and actions taken by cargo owners and charterers.
“We can stand tall on this declaration”
“We have and will continue to work all possible and relevant channels to ease the situation for our seafarers. This is about wellbeing and safety. But it is also about compliance with flag state legislation, ILO and MLC requirements and Collective Bargain Agreements. In fact, it is about basic human rights,” says Head of Grieg Star, Atle Sommer.
“It should not be necessary to fight for such basic rights and compliance, but, sadly, it is. Therefore, we need to support both official and private initiatives. With this, Grieg Star confirms that we can stand tall on this declaration’s content, which describes all our objectives and deliveries,” he continues.
Grieg Star is the ship management company of Grieg Maritime Group. CEO Matt Duke has also signed the declaration on behalf of Grieg Maritime Group in its capacity as a shipowner.
