A disaster for seafarers

ARTICLE: Prior to 2020, it would have been considered unimaginable that a virus could disrupt the global economy, sequestering billions in their homes with global productivity sinking like a stone. It has been 8 months since the previously inconceivable became an everyday reality and since then, most of the world's population has been under lockdown.

As a result of COVID-19, in the midst of an unavoidable persistence of social distancing rules, consumer behavior may have altered permanently, which will invariably contribute towards keeping certain sectors of the economy shut. Unemployment has sky-rocketed and many industries which were previously considered the bastions of prosperity are now on the precipice of bankruptcies.

Despite all of this, essential functions such as hospitals, pharmacies, groceries and utilities kept chugging along. There have been scenes of hospital workers being applauded by entire cities (rightfully so) and countries celebrating their oft-ignored essential workers, appreciating their efforts in this time of need. Every country has allowed essential workers the freedom of movement so that they can do their jobs and maintain some semblance of social order.

However, there is one group of essential workers that has been collectively ignored by the world-the ones who ensure that hospitals have Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), pharmacies are stocked with medicine, grocery stores are full of essential food provisions and utility companies have the energy they need to power your home. As many as 1,647,5001 hard workers honored and appreciated by none. Their movement is restricted, with a majority of countries wrenching the welcome mat from under their feet. These are our seafarers.

During this entire crisis, seafarers refused to abandon their posts and discharged their duties faithfully. While most of us were safe in our homes, seafarers were the ones who braved rough seas and inhospitable environments to ensure we continued to live our lives in relative calm. If COVID-19 penetrated their vessels, they didn't have a home to self-isolate themselves. With limited aid from outside, they had no option but to remain onboard and get the job done. When their services ended, they did not expect a congratulatory note but they did expect to go home. Every country slammed the door in their face. Fear of the coronavirus prevented them from allowing seafarers inside their borders, even if it was just for the purpose of transit, repatriation and getting replacement crew onboard.

This situation has persisted for months and now it is approaching a point where it threatens to become a humanitarian disaster, affecting nearly 40% of the world's seafarers. Approximately, three quarters of crew changes on the world's international fleet of 50,000-plus ships have not gone through since COVID-19 caused travel restrictions and grounded airlines in March, leaving an estimated 300,000 seafarers stranded at seas. Seafarer Employment Agreements have expired for about 35% to 40% of seafarers currently onboard ships. Of these, 10% have served between 12 and 17 months, far beyond the nine-month industry standard and in excess of international maritime labour conventions' limits. A further 300,000 are unemployed in their home countries, awaiting the go-ahead for crew change to relieve their colleagues2.

It is inhumane to leave our sailors stranded out on the water, whilst everyone else enjoys the fruits of their labour. They are being forced to spend months in relative isolation and all the while being unsure about whether they will be compensated for their forcibly extended tour of duty. These circumstances can have a profound effect on one's mental and physical wellbeing. None of them signed up for this sort of treatment and they certainly don't deserve it.

Society has turned a blind eye to the plight of seafarers and there will undoubtedly be consequences. With increasingly fewer numbers signing up for this profession, this incident will ensure that those numbers decline even further. No human being wants to be put in harm's way and then be abandoned wholesale. In the larger scheme of things, with diminishing numbers of seafarers to ensure the transit of goods and materials through international waters, we may witness a slowdown in global trade with a possibility that the global economy itself will be ripped apart. Should cargos cease to be transported, domestically available raw materials will not be sufficient and industries will close causing job losses, piling on top of the miseries caused by COVID-19.

Although the virus has subsided in most countries, its fear still remains. Public pressure has forced countries to keep their borders closed. The vast majority of countries still do not allow sailors to disembark from their vessels. Some countries such as the UK, the USA, Egypt, Panama, Denmark, India, Malaysia and the UAE have allowed crew change, at least for now. Others such as Singapore and Hong Kong, where crew changes were previously allowed, have introduced tougher regulations due to coronavirus resurgence, making crew change for foreign-flagged vessels almost impossible.

Pakistan's flag carrier, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), is also affected in arranging crew changes for its bulkers which have global tramping operations. PNSC has secured crew transfers for two of its vessels, namely Sibi at Dakar (with connecting flights through the Middle East) and Multan at Karachi anchorage. However, if the situation persists it may adversely impact operations.

Beyond irrational fear, if SOPs are followed, crew change and repatriation can be safe and simple. Countries should have testing capability at all sea ports, wherein testing of the crew can be undertaken promptly. Infected crew members, instead of being quarantined on the ship for 2 weeks, where they will be in close quarters and can cause the virus to spread, should be removed (observing necessary precautions) and placed in isolation on shore. Following negative tests, the crew should be escorted directly to the airport, where they can board their respective flights without delay.

Governments should act responsibly and take measures that will facilitate the movement of seafarers to and from their ships, to ensure an unimpeded flow of international trade and peoples' well-being. It will be the right thing to do and may just save the entire seafarer profession along with the global economy from further havoc.

In view of the above, it is high time that the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization work towards delivering tangible results towards solving this pressing issue. Much has been said, however, actionable results are required and awaited. This writer also takes this opportunity to commend Pakistan National Shipping Corporation on making all out efforts towards crew change on their managed vessels and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for its guidance and support in this regard.

(The writer is an advisor to the Karachi Chamber of [email protected], captainanwarshah.blogspot.com)

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020