They are the forgotten collateral damage of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 300,000 commercial ship workers, the lifeblood of global commerce, are now stranded on vessels because virus control measures and travel restrictions have prevented crew rotations. Some have been on board for 17 months, well past their contract terms and an 11-month legal maximum, barred not just from rejoining families but from getting ashore for recreation or even medical care. A similar number are at home without pay, unable to get to work. This is not just a humanitarian issue. Exhausted crews mean an increased risk of accidents that could harm people or the environment or threaten global supply chains.
With about 80 per cent of trade carried by ships, the world’s 2m merchant seafarers are vital to deliveries of everything from oil, gas and iron ore, to grain, fresh fruit, TVs and automobiles. Interruptions to shipments because of crew issues could affect commodities traders, retailers and manufacturers. Many ship workers are from lower-income Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh and the Philippines.
Virus-related restrictions including visa, border and quarantine controls in the eight months since the virus emerged have blocked many normally routine crew changes. The problem is exacerbated by the fragmented nature of the industry, with a network of shipowners, operators, recruiting agencies and charterers operating across multiple jurisdictions, blurring lines of responsibility and liability.