# COVID-19 Maritime News **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [March 18, 2020, 10:08am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618 "2020-03-18T10:08:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/164 "2020-09-25T20:41:16Z")
The present pandemic is likely to affect 1 Mill. seafarers soon: > **[Crew change humanitarian crisis on course to affect 1m seafarers - Splash247](https://splash247.com/crew-change-humanitarian-crisis-on-course-to-affect-1m-seafarers/)** > > Shipping’s most acute logistical challenge of the past 50 years – the crew change crisis brought about by Covid-19 travel restrictions – could soon affect 1m seafarers, Guy Platten the secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)... ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 1:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/165 "2020-10-08T13:24:54Z")
DNV-GL is not only involved in classification of ships. They are also joining the Mission to Seafarers Flying Angel Campaign as a Gold sponsor: > **[DNV GL supports Mission to Seafarers Flying Angel campaign | ShipInsight](https://shipinsight.com/articles/dnv-gl-supports-mission-to-seafarers-flying-angel-campaign)** > > The sponsorship will be used to help fund the development of the Seafarers Happy-at-Sea App, which helps track seafarer welfare, book chaplain visits and order medicine. We are very grateful for the opportunity to support The Mission to Seafarers,... ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/166 "2020-10-11T13:00:52Z")
Another effect of the crew change crisis is rising crew costs: > **[Seafarers Stranded by Virus Spark a Sudden Jump in Labor Costs](https://www.bloombergquint.com/markets/seafarers-stranded-by-virus-spark-a-sudden-jump-in-labor-costs)** > > Seafarers Stranded by Virus Spark a Sudden Jump in Labor Costs ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/167 "2020-10-12T16:00:08Z")
Australia to request ships coming to Australia NOT to call at Manila for crew change on their ballast voyage from China. > **[Australian miners seek alternatives to Manila for crew as repeat Covid...](https://splash247.com/australian-miners-seek-alternatives-to-manila-for-crew-as-repeat-covid-flare-ups-hit-port-hedland/)** > > A second Filipino crewed bulk carrier in the space of just over a fortnight calling Port Hedland in Western Australia has arrived with multiple Covid-19 cases onboard, sparking calls from politicians and miners to avoid sourcing crew from Manila.... Do they allow crew change in Australia? ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/168 "2020-10-12T16:23:41Z")
Singapore seafarers get extended unemployment benefits until end of the year: > **[Singapore seafarers get extended COVID-19 unemployment relief – IHS Markit...](https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/singapore-seafarers-get-extended-covid-19-unemployment-relief/)** ---
**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/169 "2020-10-12T16:27:37Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > Australia to request ships coming to Australia NOT to call at Manila for crew change: I have been in a hotel in Manila in the last month that was used to quarantine crew members during crew change. The hotel was very strict. The guys had to have food delivered and the food delivery person was not allowed in the hotel. Food had to be left on a table at the door and the table was sanitized before and after delivery. NONE of the quarantined crew could leave or have visitors. That part of the city was locked down from 2000-0500 and don’t even think about going into a store without a mask. But they still have cases, not USA level rates but currently 18th in the world. A group was heading out one morning for crew change as I was leaving. There was a DNV rep there to check all the proper protocols had been followed, tests administered etc. and escorted them to the ship. I was impressed with the cautions being taken. Just my observation. ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/170 "2020-10-12T21:08:13Z")
Yes, if you follow Chief Makoi on youtube, he describes the process for Filipino seafarers in a couple of his videos. They get tested multiple times, too. Just goes to show that this bug is very contagious. ---
**Author:** ![SeaEagle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/seaeagle/32/17788_2.png) [@SeaEagle](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaEagle)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/171 "2020-10-12T21:15:13Z")
It’s not a hoax. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/172 "2020-10-17T16:20:07Z")
ITF gets crew home and at least SOME wages paid: > **[ITF’s new Norwegian Inspector gets crew home, paid stolen wages](https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itfs-new-norwegian-inspector-gets-crew-home-paid-stolen-wages)** > > In August the Panama-flagged towing vessel ‘Diavlos Force’ left Piereus, Greece on a contract to transport a hull from a Romanian shipyard in the Black Sea to Norway. While on its way, the family of the ship’s crew alerted the Norwegian ITF... PS\> The Diavilos Force is still laying here in Ålesund, but with the AIS switched off. (Will probably go for scrap price, or below) ---
**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/173 "2020-10-17T17:24:07Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/4/a/4a7d7d6c2193d57bbeda184309d479ef6aa7d433.png) [ITF Seafarers](https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itfs-new-norwegian-inspector-gets-crew-home-paid-stolen-wages) > > ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/3X/9/e/9e19162e18790e9fa5db6b805d27eaed527af7c6.jpeg) > > ### [ITF’s new Norwegian Inspector gets crew home, paid stolen wages](https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/news/itfs-new-norwegian-inspector-gets-crew-home-paid-stolen-wages) > > In August the Panama-flagged towing vessel ‘Diavlos Force’ left Piereus, Greece on a contract to transport a hull from a Romanian shipyard in the Black Sea to Norway. While on its way, the family of the ship’s crew alerted the Norwegian ITF… They should deposit the crew in the ship owners villa. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/174 "2020-10-19T20:47:54Z")
Crew wages are going up due to Covid-19, especially for Chinese crews: > **[Chinese crew wages leap during Covid - Splash247](https://splash247.com/chinese-crew-wages-leap-during-covid/)** > > Chinese crew during Covid-19 have seen their wages leap, surpassing the monthly pay of key rival seafarer nations such as the Philippines, India and across eastern Europe. The difficulties of getting foreign crews into the People’s Republic, one of... They are not threatening US Mariner’s position as the best paid seafarers, though. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/175 "2020-10-27T22:25:31Z")
Latest seafarer’s happiness index is out: > **[Latest seafarer poll paints grim picture of life onboard during the pandemic...](https://splash247.com/latest-seafarer-poll-paints-grim-picture-of-life-onboard-during-the-pandemic/)** > > Seafarers continue to face a bleak future in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published yesterday by The Mission to Seafarers. The survey reports on the experiences of seafarers between July... ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/176 "2020-10-30T21:35:30Z")
Good news for some seafarers that has been stranded on arrested vessels and pandemic restrictions: > **[Abandoned seafarers return home after three-month ordeal - Splash247](https://splash247.com/abandoned-seafarers-return-home-after-three-month-ordeal/)** > > A group of 24 seafarers abandoned since July after their ships were detained in Ravenna Port in Italy for alleged non-payment of bunker supplies have finally been repatriated. The seafarers were crewmembers onboard the Maltese-flagged chemical tanker... ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 3:33pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/177 "2020-12-02T15:33:01Z")
UN General Assembly call on member state to designate seafarers as essential workers and facilitate crew change: > **[UN calls for seafarers to be designated as key workers to resolve crew change...](https://splash247.com/un-calls-for-seafarers-to-be-designated-as-key-workers-to-resolve-crew-change-crisis/)** > > The United Nations General Assembly has called on UN member states to designate seafarers as key workers and implement measures to facilitate crew change. In a resolution adopted yesterday, the United Nations recognised the need for an urgent... 44 member state has designated seafarers as essential workers, but have they also done anything to facilitate crew change? ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2020, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/178 "2020-12-03T12:21:24Z")
Some development towards safe and reliable crew change: > **[Manila, Singapore seafarer safe corridor preparations progress - Splash247](https://splash247.com/manila-singapore-seafarer-safe-corridor-preparations-progress/)** > > Singaporean authorities have green lighted hotel conditions in Manila as seafarer safe corridor preparations between the Philippines and the key Southeast Asian shipping hub develop. To establish safe and scalable corridors for crew rotation, the... ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2020, 10:19pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/179 "2020-12-14T22:19:24Z")
Is there any info on the priority of seafarers for COVID vaccination? According to the CFRs, American seafarers are “essential transportation workers” free to travel anywhere at anytime without regard to state or local lockdowns or restrictions. When are we going to be prioritized as “essential transportation workers” for COVID vaccinations? ---
**Author:** ![Gimli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Gimli](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Gimli)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/180 "2020-12-14T22:21:28Z")
…Or even testing? How many here are getting employee provided tests prior to joining vessels? ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/181 "2020-12-14T22:25:47Z")
My primary employer requires new hires to pay for their own COVID test. Typically about $200. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_Shore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Lee\_Shore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Lee_Shore)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/182 "2020-12-14T23:07:25Z")
> [@tugsailor](#): > > When are we going to be prioritized as “essential transportation workers” for COVID vaccinations? Vaccine roll outs are expected to be messy and mariners aren’t specifically listed in the groups to receive a vaccine ahead of the general population; unless they are included in the “variety of other groups”. _ACIP member Dr. Robert Atmar, a professor of infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, said ACIP will likely put essential workers into group 1b. “That would include teachers, people in law enforcement, firefighters and a variety of other groups, and then 1c would be persons with underlying conditions who had higher risk of developing complications or dying should they get Covid-19 and that would include persons over the age of 65,” he said._ [https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/13/health/covid-vaccine-rollout-messy/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/13/health/covid-vaccine-rollout-messy/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2020, 8:56am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/183 "2020-12-18T08:56:20Z")
> [@Gimli](#): > > How many here are getting employee provided tests prior to joining vessels? We quarantine, then test prior to joining. Employer provides the test. [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618.md?page=8) [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618.md?page=10)