Maritime industry must be kept going through Covid-19, warns UN expert

As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, the global maritime transport industry is playing a critical role in the response, suggests a leading UN expert. A call by the industry to all governments to keep maritime trade moving by allowing commercial ships continued access to ports worldwide and by facilitating the rapid changeover of ships’ crews should not go unheeded, warned Mukhisa Kituyi, secretary general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). About 80% of global trade is transported by commercial shipping, which moves the world’s food, energy and raw materials, as well as manufactured goods and components, according to UNCTAD statistics. This includes vital medical supplies and items that are necessary for the preservation of many jobs in manufacturing – without which modern society cannot function, stressed Mr Kituyi. “In this time of global crisis, it is more important than ever to keep supply chains open and to allow maritime trade and cross-border transport to continue. This means keeping the world’s ports open for ship calls and the movement of ships’ crews with as few obstacles as possible.” He added: “Transit needs to be facilitated, too. Landlocked countries need access to food and medical supplies through neighbouring countries’ seaports. Facing the current pandemic, cross-border movements of relief goods such as food and medical supplies will increase dramatically. Restrictions on trade and cross-border transport may interrupt needed aid and technical support. It could disrupt businesses and have negative social and economic effects on the affected countries.” He urged governments to continue to facilitate movement of not only relief goods, but also goods in general, to minimise the negative impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Mr Kituyi warned: “Amid the current outbreak, seafarers have come under increased checks and scrutiny in various ports. Many port states have imposed local regulations, travel and quarantine restrictions, precluding free access to seafarers. Some operators have suspended crew changes aboard ships to lessen their social interactions.” He added: “While observing necessary health protocols, ports should treat seafarers as key workers and afford them the same flexibilities currently given to aircrew and health workers in boarding and leaving ships, as some 100,000 shipping crew members need to change shift every month.” Another concern he raised was the state of ports worldwide. “Port operators also need to be ready, given the potential risks to public health and the economy, if their key role in the transit of goods is affected by the spread of the virus. Port workers are facing the danger of contracting Covid-19 and many ports are not ready if a critical mass of workers become sick. In several ports – especially in hard-hit regions like Europe – goods in transit are already affected and essential medicine and equipment are being held up. “Without functioning ports, cargoes including those with lifesaving supplies cannot be transported to where they are needed,” he concluded.

Maritime industry must be kept going through Covid-19, warns UN expert

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