crew change, ships, Coronavirus, COVID-19, IMO protocols Home Publications Articles Crew Change Crisis – Green Shoots? Crew Change Crisis – Green Shoots? Publications Tony Nicholson Published: July 08, 2020 Contact author Download article pdf Image UK Government led International Summit – 9 July 2020 Global Economy The world’s reliance on shipping and its seafarers has been brought into sharp focus by the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. Never has it been more apparent that shipping is the heartbeat of our global economy, with seafarers its lifeblood. Within parts of the UK some lockdown restrictions eased further this month, so we can now visit the pub, or a restaurant, and even go on holiday with no quarantine restrictions applicable when returning from 73 countries, a situation which will be similar in other countries too, yet seafarers around the globe appear to have been largely overlooked by many governments that are so reliant upon them. IMO Protocols This is despite the 12-step travel safety  protocols issued by the International Maritime Organisation (“IMO”) on 5 May, to their 174 Member States and endorsed within a subsequent IMO Briefing  released on 7 May. The protocols reflect proposals from a broad cross-section of global industry associations representing various sectors of the maritime transport industry, taking account of input from the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”), aimed at restarting crew changes so seafarers, some of whom have now been working for several months beyond their contracted period, can disembark and return home, whilst permitting their replacements to be deployed. Maritime industry bodies have been working hard to ensure seafarers’ voices and those of their concerned employers are heard, so it is very encouraging that a UK Government led International Crew Change Summit will take place during Seafarer Awareness Week (6 - 12 July 2020) on 9 July, to discuss this significant humanitarian issue. This will