Seafarers will get enhanced rights as key workers following a joint commitment made at today’s (9 July 2020) International Maritime Summit.
Representatives from over a dozen countries including Norway, Denmark, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Philippines and the USA attended the summit. They agreed to new international measures to open up foreign borders for seafarers and increase the number of commercial flights to expedite repatriation efforts.
Despite the crucial role they play restrictions on international travel have left thousands of seafarers stranded at foreign ports with some confined to vessels for months despite having no contact with coronavirus.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-international-commitment-to-improve-seafarers-rights
