Do you know over 400,000 seafarers are stuck on ships as a measure to contain the spread of Covid-19? Moreover, several of them are currently unable to go onboard for the restrictions due to the same reason. A crisis of this level has certainly disrupted supply chain operations all over the world. Not to speak of the financial crisis this phenomenon has brought on for the shipping companies and their managers. So, before you decide to buy Ropax for vessels, you may want to know what the situation is like on the sea and the condition seafarers in. Simply purchasing and owning a vessel will not cut it, unless you understand the difficulties and plan mitigatory steps to alleviate the stress of crew members.
Rise in maritime crime –
There are scores of crew members who are past their discharge date and continue to offer services at sea. Needless to say, they are overburdened, stressed, and fatigued. Now, from a strategic point of view, having tired and fatigued workers on ships is also risky because they may not be able to stay vigilant and alert, thereby giving way to increased incidents of maritime crimes. According to reports, the global incidences of maritime crime shot up by 25% in 2020 than the preceding year. This is obvious because fatigue can lead to human errors, which in turn, call for these challenges.
Overworked crew members –
It is unfortunate to point out but the fact is that crew members are overworked to the point they may now fall under the ‘forced labour’ category as per the ILO standards. Along with the ongoing effort to repatriate them as soon as possible, the shipping companies should take the necessary steps to promote the health and hygiene of the crew members on board. From implementing WHO-led hygiene and sanitisation guidelines to offering mental support through helpline numbers – they must do whatever it takes to relieve the stress off exhausted workers.
Recognizing them as key workers –
Given their selfless contribution and services during these challenging times, seafarers should rightly be declared “key workers”. Moreover, the IMO has urged its Member States to come forward and designate the seafarers and other crew members as “key workers”. This will exempt them from pandemic-induced travel restrictions and accelerate the repatriation process of ship bound seafarers. Whether you buy Ropax vessels for sale, cruises, or passenger ferries, the welfare of seafarers should be on the top of your priority list, for they are the backbone of the maritime industry.
Implementing IMO protocols –
Despite IMO’s appeal to declare seafarers as “key workers” on an urgent basis, several countries are still reluctant to act on this suggestion. Moreover, the 12-step plan by IMO can help governments carry out safe and easy crew change at such a challenging time. Added to that, a comprehensive ‘roadmap’ has been chartered by a coalition of industry and unions with the help of UN agencies to bring this humanitarian crisis to a stop. Thus, states and governments should not hesitate to come forward and act on IMO protocols.
Conclusion –
Due to joint efforts of regulatory bodies and governments, crew change is being carried on steadily, but the crisis is still far from over. There are still several of them waiting to be rescued and brought back home. We understand your ambition to buy Ropax vessels for sale and create your investment footprint, but you can’t turn a blind eye on seafarer crisis. After all, you need their cooperation to be a part of a robust supply chain at the sea. And if you need any other market-related updates, contact the experts at Norwegian Ship Sales.
