ITF: Global vaccine rollout needed to stop next crew change crisis

Seafarers’ unions have called for governments, particularly those with maritime responsibilities, to endorse universal access to COVID-19 vaccines to prevent the crew change crisis from spiraling out of control for a third time.

At present, around 200,000 international seafarers are estimated to be working on vessels beyond their contracts due to governments’ ongoing border and travel restrictions, with thousands on board more than a year.

With unprecedented coronavirus outbreaks gripping India and other major seafarer labour-providing nations, the maritime industry fears that the number of seafarers trapped working on ships could double within weeks.