1. Case Study: Crew Member Swept Overboard Through Pilot Boarding Access Door
A large container vessel was arriving at port in heavy weather; approx 40 knot winds and almost four metre swells. The vessel manoeuvred at about 10 knots to make a lee in preparation to embark a pilot via the side shell access door, 3.9 metres above the water level.
2. Sri Lanka Temporarily Suspends Crew Change Amid COVID-19 Scare
Sri Lankan government has decided to temporarily suspend any crew change for the foreign nationality seafarers. The decision was taken as 29 seafarers were tested positive for COVID-19. These seafarers were the part of a group of seafarers who arrived in Sri Lanka on June 22 via a charter flight from India. https://themaritimepost.com/2020/06/24/sri-lanka-temporarily-suspends-crew-change-amid-covid-19-scare/
3. COVID-19: All Russian ships face quarantine in South Korea
In the first incident, 16 of 21 crew members of Russian reefer ship Ice Stream tested positive for COVID-19, after the vessel docked next to another reefer ship, Ice Crystal, upon arriving in Busan on 21 June. At least 100 port workers came into contact with the crew, and these employees have had to be quarantined. So far, none of the port workers have tested positive for COVID-19. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/covid-19-all-russian-ships-face-quarantine-in-south-korea/
4. Bangladesh to financially help seafarers
The government of Bangladesh has designated a fund to assist seafarers and their family members who face financial crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund – Seafarers’ Welfare Fund – is estimated at BDT160 million (USD2 million) and was formed in 1996 for the well-being of seafarers. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/covid-19-bangladesh-to-financially-help-seafarers/
5. Day of the Seafarer: More calls on governments to declare key worker status
The Day of the Seafarer is being used by the shipping community to acknowledge the essential part seafarers play in the global economy and highlight their plight during COVID-19. Kitack Lim, secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), delivered an opening address at a webinar on 24 June thanking seafarers for their contribution and called for governments to grant them key worker status. https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/day-of-the-seafarer-more-calls-on-governments-to-declare-key-worker-status/
6. UK government to hold international summit to address crew change amid COVID-19
To commemorate the Day of the Seafarer, UK maritime minister Kelly Tolhurst will host the virtual event, set to take place in July. The summit will deal with the issues affecting the shipping industry during the global pandemic, including; crew welfare, crew contract extensions, lack of crew repatriations, and crew mental health.
7. Baltic Index Rises On Firmer Vessel Rates
The Baltic Exchange’s main sea freight index gained on Wednesday, on robust demand across all vessel segments. The Baltic dry index, which tracks rates for ships ferrying dry bulk commodities and reflects rates for capesize, panamax and supramax vessels, rose 88 points, or 5.4%, to 1,705, its highest since Oct. 31. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Baltic+index+rises+on+firmer+vessel+rates
8. Sri Lanka Suspends Crew Change In Colombo As Indian Seafarers Test Covid-Positive
Ship managers and manning agents using Colombo as a hub for crew change involving Indian seafarers received a setback after 29 crew who flew there tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the Sri Lankan government to ban crew arrivals by air. The crew had reached Colombo on a chartered flight arranged by a Mumbai-based ship manager. Following this, Sri Lanka has suspended movement of crew by air to Colombo.
9. IMO Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of The Annual Day Of The Seafarer On 25 June
Seafarers are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, playing an essential role in maintaining the flow of vital goods, such as food, medicines and medical supplies. However, the crisis has led to difficult working conditions for seafarers, including uncertainties and difficulties about port access, re-supply, crew changeovers and repatriation. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/IMO+celebrates+10th+anniversary+of+the+annual+Day+of+the+Seafarer+on+25+June
10. Day Of The Seafarer: “Slow Response From Governments Pushing Seafarers To Their Limits”
Despite a universal campaign from all sectors of the shipping industry to classify seafarers as key workers, and to facilitate crew transfers, many governments are still dragging their heels, says INTERCARGO, the body representing the world’s dry bulk shipowners. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Day+of+the+Seafarer%3A+“Slow+Response+from+Governments+Pushing+Seafarers+to+their+Limits”
