Currents….

Currents…. 28 May 2020

IMO double downs

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed extra measures for the protection of seafarer rights during the coronavirus pandemic, including access to medical care, wages, sick pay and food. During an extraordinary meeting, the IMO Council said: ‘Seafarers delivering vital goods, including medical equipment, around the world was critical in responding to the pandemic’.

World trade slump

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has predicted a global slump in trade ranging from 13% to 32% in 2020, due to the disruption caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. While all regions will suffer a decline, North America and Asia will be hit hardest. The sectors most affected are likely to be electronics and automotive. There are fears that a slump will result in an increase in crew abandonments.

JFD makes ventilators

JFD has developed a new ventilator system to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The subsidiary of James Fisher and Sons makes breathing apparatus, life support equipment and hyperbaric medical equipment. The new ‘InVicto’ ventilator design has referenced the latest UK government recommendations and standards based on clinical care experience in China and Italy.

Cheaper calls at sea

Seafarers’ video calls will be free and voice calls at sea half price until the end of June, as global satellite provider Inmarsat responds to industry calls on behalf of crews during Covid-19. Competitor KVH already offers free VOIP calls to SeafarerHelp and free daily news for crews unable to leave their vessels during the coronavirus pandemic.

US hospital ships

Deck officer members of the US Masters, Mates & Pilots union (MM&P) will crew Military Sealift Command hospital ship Comfort, moored off Manhattan to treat patients with Covid-19. Comfort’s sister ship, USNS Mercy is docked in San Pedro, California and will also treat patients with Covid-19.

Covid-19 online tool

An online assessment tool has
been developed to support officers responsible for medical treatment on board ships and mobile offshore units. The Norwegian Centre for Maritime and Diving Medicine has developed the interactive, web-based decision support tool, which has information on assessment, treatment and follow- up of suspected Covid-19 at sea.

ECDIS blamed for grounding

Accident investigators have raised questions about the safety of electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) in a report on the grounding of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier off Indonesia in 2018. BSU said ECDIS is systemically not yet fully developed, approved as primary aid to navigation and displaces other important sources of information, such as sailing directions, without a consistent alternative.

Aerosol warning

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has warned of the dangers associated with condensed aerosol firefighting systems, after a fatal accident onboard a fishing vessel. Conor Mosely, 20, died during the installation of a FirePro condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system.

Rhine locks closed

Locks on the upper Rhine will be closed at night between 21:00 hrs and 05:00 hrs in a bid to stem the coronavirus in Europe. All locks between Kembs and Iffezheim are affected by this measure. Locks will reopen at night once special protective measures for personnel are no longer required and enough lock operating staff are available. Traffic control centres and reporting points on the Rhine will remain open.

Belgium drops manning

The Belgian Maritime Inspectorate (BMI) has dispensed with minimum safe manning requirements under Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) in response to the coronavirus outbreak. BMI has also ceased all surveys, inspections and audits of ships flying the Belgian flag and companies operating ships under the Belgian flag until further notice.

Italy cuts crew numbers

Italy will reduce temporarily the number of onboard crew based on passenger vessels. The arrangements will last for a maximum 90 days, limited to the period of the national health emergency. Ships with fewer crew would limit the possibilities of exposure to Covid-19 to seafarers, employer associations said.

Unions: deny Jones waiver

US unions have asked President Donald Trump to deny a Jones Act waiver request made by domestic oil and gas interests. Oil firms want financial stimulus, citing the impact of the crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. The Master Mates & Pilots (MM&P) union and MIRAID joined a coalition of employers, maritime advocacy groups and trade associations which argued a waiver was unnecessary and contrary to the need to fight the coronavirus.

IMO guide to crew changes

Nautilus has urged all International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states to follow guidance on crew changes and repatriation during the Covid-19 pandemic. While the guidance refers to effective screening and protocols for seafarers embarking ships, the crew already onboard must also be protected. Member states must do everything possible to ensure the availability of testing kits and make seafarers the high priority groups when testing.

ILO seafarer protection

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has fired a warning shot to governments and employers urging them to respect international labour standards for seafarers and to ‘keep a human-centred approach’ for all workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Seafarers should be granted shore leave to benefit their health and well-being, and consistent with operational requirements, it said.

ITF fights for workers

Nautilus has welcomed a move by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to ensure transport workers’ rights around the world are upheld during the Covid-19 outbreak. The ITF issued ‘global demands’ to governments and employers to recognise the essential role of seafarers and other transport workers, and to enable them to go about their business.

EC ‘Green Lane’ system

The European Commission has approved a ‘Green Lane’ system for cross-border movement of freight to ensure the delivery of essential supplies in response to moves from several EU countries to close their borders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Transport workers must also be allowed to cross borders. This includes seafarers and inland waterways crews.