UN report highlights countries denying emergency medical services to seafarers

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) called on governments around the world to ensure that seafarers have access to medical services. During the new crown epidemic, seafarers have been refused emergency treatment by ports.

In a recent report, the ILO's Tripartite Ad Hoc Committee on Maritime Labour, in reviewing the latest report of the Committee of Experts (comprising 20 eminent legal experts) noted, "It is deeply regrettable that, even in the most urgent circumstances, the There have also been instances of refusal to bring seafarers ashore for medical treatment."

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, publicly reported examples include seafarers with broken limbs being asked to stay on board to take painkillers, a chief engineer who vomited blood was not allowed to disembark, and even the body of a captain who died of a fatal heart attack was refused repatriation.

While UN agencies have encouraged recognition of seafarers as "essential workers", many of these governments have yet to recognize seafarers as "essential workers", relying on widespread "force majeure" to deny seafarers medical attention. Citing "force majeure", the government has bypassed basic standards on seafarers' welfare, such as those contained in the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. However, the ILO found that, given that nearly two years have passed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, “a seafarer change of force majeure should not be considered a justification for depriving seafarers of their rights.”

The ICS, which represents 80 percent of the world's merchant fleet, responded to the recommendations of the ILO report, urging governments around the world to designate and treat seafarers as "critical workers", provide shore-based medical care when needed, and prioritize vaccinating seafarers against COVID-19.

The ILO committee also said denying medical treatment to seafarers could further increase pressure on strained global supply chains. It noted that "the crew change situation remains critical and appears to be deteriorating, jeopardizing the safe and uninterrupted delivery of vital supplies." At the height of the pandemic, some 400,000 seafarers were unable to travel due to restrictions, ICS figures show. Disembark for vacation or come on board to work, but a good portion of them are still affected.

Kiran Khosla, Chief Legal Director of ICS, said: "The latest report of the ILO Committee of Experts follows its landmark 2020 findings that send a strong message to governments that they have not The duty of care for seafarers under international law. The ILO then called on governments to recognize seafarers as "essential workers" and play a practical role - including allowing them to disembark in ports for medical care. Now the committee has made it clear that governments can no longer Hiding behind so-called natural disasters deprives seafarers of these basic rights.

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, shipowners, their ships and crews have been feeding the world, fuel and medicine. But governments have been too slow to recognise seafarers as ‘critical workers’, which is both hurting their health, but also the health of global supply chains. Two years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has no excuse to hide behind force majeure.”

ICS released its latest round of medical guidance for ship operators and shipping companies this week, covering seafarer health and well-being and vaccination best practice. The guidance provides the latest information on disembarking and disembarking seafarers in accordance with relevant COVID-19 regulations, as well as new advice on the repatriation of deceased seafarers.