The epidemic caused 300,000 seafarers to drift at sea! It is easy to be infected when boarding a ship, and easy to be unemployed when off a ship! The lifeline of the global economy is facing a crisis...

　　Affected by the new crown epidemic, since the beginning of this year, the border blockade measures implemented by various countries have caused losses to the global shipping industry, and due to restrictions on the docking of ships, about 300,000 seafarers worldwide have to stay on board.

　　The epidemic not only affected the normal operation of the shipping industry, but also caused many seafarers to bear the dual pressure of body and soul. Now, as the epidemic in some countries improves, can seafarers go home? How will the shipping industry be affected?

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Border blockade epidemic causes 300,000 seafarers worldwide to be trapped at sea

　　Michael Babé is a Belgian seaman who served as captain on a tanker named Stadia. After four months of drifting at sea, Babé’s tanker sailed to French Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Island, from here he took a flight to Paris and was finally able to return to his home in the Netherlands.

　　He said he was lucky because he was only working one month beyond the original contract, but many seafarers who were on the same ship with him did not know when they could disembark.

　　Belgian seaman Michael Babe: There are also Filipino and Panamanian seafarers on board. They have been working on the ship for 9 months, so it can be said that they are very unfortunate because they are still trapped on the ship.

　　Indian seaman Dennis: I boarded the ship in October 2019. The contract period was 4 months. I was supposed to go home at the end of February this year. However, because of the epidemic, I stayed on the ship for 4 and a half months.

　　According to statistics from the International Maritime Organization, due to the global spread of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, countries have generally implemented border blockades, flight restrictions and other travel restrictions. At present, about 300,000 seafarers around the world are facing the dilemma of unable to change their jobs on time.

　　Kenny, Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations of the International Maritime Organization: Due to the epidemic, many ports have imposed restrictions on crew rotation, which has led to a large backlog of personnel. Many seafarers whose contracts have expired need to disembark, while rotating seafarers cannot board the ship. . Now, we estimate that there are about 300,000 seafarers in the world who are stranded on ships and unable to disembark, and there are 300,000 people who are unable to board to take over jobs.

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Closed environment

Seafarers are at greater risk of contracting new coronary pneumonia

　　Shipping is the lifeline of the global economy and the backbone of trade. About 80% to 90% of global trade in goods is done by shipping, and seafarers’ lives are usually not easy.

　　The impact of the epidemic not only puts the seafarers on board the ship facing a greater risk of infection, but also makes the seafarers under the ship face the blow of unemployment. This will be a crisis that must be faced for the global shipping industry.

　　In September last year, Filipino seaman Mabudi started working on a German cruise ship. In March of this year, a passenger of the cruise ship she worked on was diagnosed with new crown pneumonia during her visit to Australia. The cruise ship had to stop in Australia and evacuate people. Mabudi, who remained on the cruise ship and continued to work, was soon diagnosed with infection.

　　Filipino seaman Mabudi: At first I couldn’t stand up. I couldn’t feel my legs. So I called the nurse to see. They said you had a fever, 38.9℃, and they let me isolate for two days. Medical treatment in Australia The team came to do a throat swab sampling for me, and they said you have to disembark for isolation.

　　Fortunately, after treatment, Mabudi has recovered and returned to his home in the Philippines. In addition to the risk of contracting the new coronavirus, working too long in a relatively closed space can also have a serious impact on the physical and mental health of seafarers.

　　"My long voyage of 8 and a half months at sea made me very homesick. I look forward to returning home to be with my family. Especially during the epidemic, I try to reply to family news every day." Indian seaman Dennis said.

　　Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping, said that the current crisis facing the international shipping industry may disrupt the global supply chain.

　　Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping: On average, the value of goods transported by the shipping industry is about 7 trillion U.S. dollars (approximately 49 trillion yuan) each year. Ships can transport anything from iron ore to finished products. Ships can also carry passengers. The shipping industry covers all sectors and trades, and the global blockade has begun again, causing damage to the shipping industry and supply chains.

　　In order to deal with the crisis, the International Maritime Organization established a seafarer crisis action team, formulated a comprehensive seafarer rotation industry agreement, and maintained close communication with governments of various countries, and adopted a series of measures including visa exemption to ensure that Implement seafarer rotation safely.

　　Platten said that seafarers are essential workers and they are needed to keep the world's supply chain running. The shipping industry is a resilient industry. We will overcome the current difficulties, adapt and change the status quo.

　　Filipino seaman Draco Cruz: The society still needs us. I believe we will get job opportunities soon.