“Cargo ship sailors press-ganged into keeping the world’s trade afloat”, 11 May 2020

“We are still loading, sailing and discharging our cargo. But in the back of our minds, we are starting to realise:…[t]here is no way to get off the ship.” [Approximately] 150,000 seafarers [are] stranded at sea on their vessels, forced to work beyond their contracts indefinitely. Britain, Spain and the Netherlands have designated [seafarers] key workers during the [COVID-19]…crisis. [However]…, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has received multiple reports of crew members with life-threatening conditions who have been refused emergency treatment, [warning]…of a health and safety crisis.

The European commission has issued guidelines to facilitate the safe movement of seafarers and shipping companies, suggesting key ports…where crew changes could take place safely. But unions have said port states and governments are…”not pulling their weight”.

This week the International Maritime Organization warned its 174 member states that trade and global supply chains would “come to a halt” unless crews on ships can be replaced. If the 150,000 seafarers estimated to be working beyond their contracts are not relieved of their duties in two weeks, they will be in breach of maritime regulations.