June 25 is International Day of the Seafarer and this year the occasion takes on special meaning and a sense of urgency. While faced with a global pandemic, seafarers in Canada and all over the world have continued to work in order to facilitate the movement of essential goods and people, keeping world economies on life support. But it has come at a significant cost. The welfare of seafarers globally is at risk as a majority of countries will not support normal crew changes and the movement of seafarers during the pandemic.
Thousands upon thousands of seafarers’ contracts expired on June 15 after having been extended to address the impacts of COVID-19. The global pandemic resulted in border closures, a complete disruption of air travel globally, and an overriding fear that has kept most seafarers onboard ships without regular crew changes and shore leave that usually happens in the world’s ports. As many nations focused on repatriating their citizens, did anyone seriously consider how thousands of crew members would return home? The answer was no, not quickly and more often than not, this meant that seafarers were extending their contracts onboard ships well beyond anything that might be considered normal. Contract extensions beyond nine months is the new normal, with an increasing number of seafarers remaining onboard, away from their families and communities, from 12 to 18 months.
Impacts of the Pandemic at home, Canada was one of a few that designated all transportation workers essential
While many countries turned inward to address the impacts of the pandemic at home, certain countries and organizations quickly understood the necessity for continued trade and the critical role played by seafarers in facilitating it. Early on in the pandemic, Canada was one of only a handful of nations that designated all transportation workers as essential, and thereby supported their mobility in Canada and across international borders. Canada chose not to shy away from its international commitments, including supporting crew changes, and is now focused on improving the immigration process and removing barriers for seafarers and crew changes. The government of Canada is working with partners in both labour and industry to develop solutions quickly to address the growing crisis for seafarers. While Canada may not be a global shipping hub, its actions are commendable and establish a strong example.
It is far too easy to take for granted that items we order online or pick-up locally magically appear whenever we input our credit card details into an app or swipe a debit card at the local big box store. We have become accustomed to the convenience of shopping on demand, even during a global pandemic.
As we mark the International Day of the Seafarer, let us not take for granted our generally high standard of living in Canada and recognize that seafarers are key workers, essential to shipping, and essential to the world. They deserve more than just our respect, but action to support their welfare today and tomorrow.
Author: Robert Lewis-Manning, OMM, CD, MBA
Robert Lewis-Manning is president of the Vancouver-based Chamber of Shipping.