# Fight Between Commodities Giants and Shippers Leaves Seafarers Stuck at Sea –

**URL:** <https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/fight-between-commodities-giants-and-shippers-leaves-seafarers-stuck-at-sea/58768>\
**Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\
**Created:** [March 23, 2021, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/fight-between-commodities-giants-and-shippers-leaves-seafarers-stuck-at-sea/58768 "2021-03-23T12:35:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/fight-between-commodities-giants-and-shippers-leaves-seafarers-stuck-at-sea/58768/1 "2021-03-23T12:35:35Z")

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> **[Fight Between Commodities Giants and Shippers Leaves Seafarers Stuck at Sea](https://gcaptain.com/fight-between-commodities-giants-and-shippers-leaves-seafarers-stuck-at-sea/)**
>
> By Jack Wittels, K Oanh Ha and Aaron Clark (Bloomberg) — A standoff between commodities giants and shipping companies is prolonging the labor crisis at sea, with an estimated 200,000 seafarers still stuck...

> In an effort to keep deliveries of food, fuel and other raw materials on schedule, some of the big commodities firms are avoiding hiring certain vessels or imposing conditions that may block relief for exhausted seafarers. The companies are trying to steer clear of crew changes, which have become far more expensive and time-consuming during the coronavirus outbreak. In an effort to keep shipments on schedule, some firms have asked their shipping partners to guarantee that no change will take place, according to emails and contracts reviewed by Bloomberg.

> Seafarers, many of whom are from developing countries, may also miss out on the ongoing vaccination drives, [risking](https://www.ics-shipping.org/press-release/shipping-companies-in-impossible-position-on-seafarer-vaccine-proof/) further delays and supply chain disruption.

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**Author:** ![Hogsnort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@Hogsnort](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hogsnort)\
**Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/fight-between-commodities-giants-and-shippers-leaves-seafarers-stuck-at-sea/58768/2 "2021-03-23T19:22:39Z")

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The master holds the crew passports of the crew because it is requirement by border security in the USA among other countries. There is heavy fines if a foreign seaman is found in possession of his passport .