UN Bodies Call for More Action to End Crew Change Crisis
times during the COVID-19 pandemic has left more than 400,000 seafarers stranded at sea.In a joint statement issued on February 28, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Health Organization (WHO) say new challenges and variants of concern like Omicron threaten to worsen the plight of the world’s seafarers, who play a vital role in global trade.They note that as COVID-19 travel restrictions eased and vaccination rates increased among maritime personnel, the humanitarian
InterManager to Source Vaccinations for Seafarers
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and fellow shipping industry NGOs in sourcing vaccination for seafarers. However, he expressed his disappointment at the slow speed of international efforts, commenting: “The IMO is hampered by having to negotiate through the United Nations, World Health Organization and others. Sitting back and waiting for these bureaucratic institutions is only part of the solution.“The world’s seafarers need our help and as ship and crew managers we must work together to do all we can to ensure that their lives and livelihoods are protected,” he said
UN Urges Prioritization of Seafarer Vaccinations
entry in some countries. the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has said seafarers' lack of access to vaccinations is placing shipping in a "legal minefield", while leaving global supply chains vulnerable.The UN Crisis Management Team for COVID-19, under the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO), has recognized that all countries should consider seafarers and aircrew, who are required to travel across borders during the pandemic, as a priority group for vaccination against COVID-19."For shipping and air transport to continue to operate safely, the safe cross border movement
Austal USA Graduates 28 Apprentices Into Full-time Positions
Trades Assistants, joining the workforce earning over $15 per hour with full Austal employee benefits.Deemed an essential business supporting national security by the Department of Homeland Security, Austal is continuing to build ships for the U.S. Navy and has implemented CDC, OSHA, and World Health Organization guidelines and safety measures across its business to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
New Mental Wellbeing Guide for Seafarers
seafarers at work 24/7/365 to support our modern way of life.”Extreme stress can make seafarers vulnerable to mental health issues. No research has shown that seafarers suffer different rates of mental health problems than the general population or other working occupations. However, the World Health Organization has estimated that at any given time, approximately 20% of the adult population have a mental health problem, and that these mental health issues have attendant costs, for example, $192 billion in lost earnings per year in the United States alone.Joseph E.M. Hughes, Chairman and CEO, Shipowners
Crew Health: Addressing Seafarer Obesity
within these illness groups that the UK P&I Club has seen the largest growth in crew medical failures. Ship owners, and employers themselves, can also assist the crew to prevent obesity on-board by ensuring seafarers are provided with a healthy diet such as that recommended by The World Health organization: Fruit – Eating a recommended 5-10 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Fat – A reduction in fat intake is encouraged. This can be achieved by changing cooking methods, i.e. swap frying for baking or steaming. Salt – A lowering of salt levels
Protecting Shippers from Ebola Outbreak
IMO Response to Ebola Outbreak The IMO have reacted quickly in response to the international emergency recently declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) over the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. In September the IMO issued an international circular ‘3484’ calling for a united response from the shipping industry to contain the virus. Specifically it calls for ship operators to define 'measures to reduce the risk of exposure' if they are likely to have ships trading to and from ports in Ebola-affected States. Ebola is a sickening disease with fatality rates of ~70% expected and 1.
