The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterressent his own message to World Shipping Day.
“Her theme this year World Shipping Day – seafarers at the center of the future of shipping – pays tribute to the professionalism and resilience of sailors “and recognizes their irreplaceable role in securing the vital supply chain, as well as in transporting 80% of world trade in extremely difficult times.”
The UN Secretary-General makes special reference to the effects of the pandemic on shipping workers. “The COVID-19 epidemic continues to put enormous physical and psychological pressure on the 2 million men and women serving in the global merchant fleet. Hundreds of thousands are facing extended stays at sea, with services that extend for many months beyond their contracts. “Without the ability to disembark, repatriate and change with other crews, without access to medical care, seafarers face a humanitarian crisis that threatens the safety and future of shipping.”
Guterres appeal to governments
In this context, it repeats his appeal to governments to address their plight by formally naming sailors and other naval personnel as “necessary personnel”, ensuring a safe change of crews, applying existing protocols and allowing seafarers to be repatriated and others to barge in.
Furthermore, it emphasizes, according to AMPE, that these critical workers must have access to national vaccination programs, while for international seafarers there should be provision for their vaccination in designated ports. Governments have a duty to comply with relevant obligations arising from international treaties, to provide assistance to seafarers in distress, including medical care and the protection of their rights and needs, he added.
At the end of his message, Antonio Guterres states that “looking to the future, seafarers will play a critical role in advancing shipping to higher standards of safety and sustainability by helping the sector play a critical role in building a more sustainable future.” people and the planet “.
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