IMO calls for open shipping lines during lockdowns

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has called on governments and national authorities to avoid disruption to global shipping by allowing crew changes and repatriations during coronavirus lockdowns.

Crew changes and repatriations have been denied by several states with major ports including Singapore, China, Russia and South Africa as part of coronavirus containment measures.

The IMO has called for governments to keep shipping and supply chains open by giving maritime workers status as "key workers", regardless of their nationality. It said governments should allow foreign crew members to disembark ships in ports and transit to their own country via airports.

IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim repeated it is "crucially important that the flow of commerce by sea should not be unnecessarily disrupted".

The IMO also urged governments and national authorities to make sure that visiting ships have access to berths in ports and terminals.

South Africa limited the number of berths allowed to receive agri-bulk, breakbulk and container ships to one or two per port for three weeks from 27 March. All terminals for vehicle carrier ships are closed in the country, while cruise ships are banned from entering ports.

The International Bunker Industry Association joined the IMO's call to governments, adding that bunkering has become more difficult as some port states have issued restrictions on physical interaction between crew on ships arriving to bunker and bunker suppliers in port.

By Erik Hoffmann