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IMCA continues to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis surrounding crew changes

IMCA is collaborating with its International and European maritime social partners, the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) in writing to the EU institutions, i.e. the Presidents of the European Parliament, Council, Commission and to the German Presidency, as well as the heads of EU Member States on the urgent topic of crew changes. The letters call for political leadership and commitment to the welfare of seafarers. These letters highlight the fact that all industry stakeholders have been working incessantly over the past months to ensure crew changes are able to happen. While guidance

Survey on health protection measures on board ships in response to the coronavirus pandemic

The COVID-19 related restrictions on crew changes have a major impact on the health and well-being of seafarers. Although some Governments have taken action to alleviate the situation, more than 200,000 seafarers are still waiting to be repatriated, many remaining on board long beyond the end of their original contracts. We would like to invite you to take part in a short survey on health protection measures on board ships in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The objective of this survey is to gain further understanding of the health protection measures introduced by companies onboard their ships during the pandemic,

Industry Group Achieves Breakthrough as Governments around the World Pledge Action to Support Crew Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Industry Group comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP, ISOA and the Workboat Association (details below) applauds the breakthrough at an international maritime virtual summit hosted by the UK Government on 9 July where 12 other governments also pledged their support for actions needed to ensure the welfare of the world’s seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including making sure that crew changes can take place in a safe and timely manner. The government representatives at the summit expressed support for recommendations made by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) developed in consultation with industry groups, which encourage all IMO Member States to

IMO Supports Industry Group Recommendations

The International Maritime Organisation has received Recommendations for port and coastal States on the prompt disembarkation of seafarers for medical care ashore during the COVID-19 pandemic, developed by a broad cross section of global industry associations in consultative status with the Organization representing the maritime transportation sector, including IMCA. Read the full IMO Circular Letter No 4204/Add 23

IMCA continues to call on governments to recognise offshore energy sector workers and seafarers as key workers

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) supports the call to action for governments to recognise offshore energy sector workers and seafarers as Key Workers on a global basis. Offshore Energy workers and seafarers have not yet been classified as Key Workers in many countries. This means that crew movement to and from ships is severely hampered by stringent border control measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to a crisis at sea: there are 200,000 workers who have overrun their contracts and are currently stranded on ships. Another 200,000 are at shore, waiting to start their tours of

Information Note on COVID-19 and Safely Re-establishing Working Arrangements

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the global economy and continues to present the marine contracting sector with some significant challenges, particularly when in association with the effects of the recent fall in the price of oil. This Information Note provides members with information intended to help them safely re-establish working arrangements as restrictions on movement and social contact are modified. The information herein is drawn from good practice occupational health and safety guidance provided by our members, by governments, and by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is anticipated that the risk of transmission of COVID-19

IMCA Supports Day of The Seafarer

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) celebrates the Day of the Seafarer on 25 June 2020. IMCA encourages all its Members and everyone associated with the offshore marine contracting industry to recognise the efforts of seafarers and the role they play in our industry. This year, the 10th anniversary of the Day of the Seafarer, is an ideal opportunity for us all to acknowledge the contribution of seafarers in keeping the global supply chain moving and understand the current issues they are facing. Like Offshore Energy Workers, including those working in the renewable energy sector, many seafarers have been away

Industry Group Urges the UK Government to Exempt all Offshore Energy Sector Workers from its Quarantine Restrictions

The global Offshore Industry Group, comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP and ISOA urges the UK Government to exempt all offshore energy sector workers from the 14-day quarantine restrictions introduced on the 8 June. The Group has the support of the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization’s Secretary-General for its Recommendations (IMO Circular Letter 4204/Add.13) calling upon Governments to recognise offshore energy sector workers as ‘key workers’. This allows regular crew movements during mobilisation and demobilisation and exempts such workers from quarantine restrictions. The Group has formally written to more than fifty governments and maritime authorities urging them to implement these Recommendations.

IMCA and Industry Group Target Governments on a Global Basis on behalf of Offshore Workers

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) continues to play a key role in an Industry Group lobbying governments and maritime authorities on a global basis to gain support of an IMO a recommendation for authorities to facilitate the movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP and ISOA, gained support from the IMO in early May and have now formally written to more than fifty governments and maritime authorities to gain their recognition of offshore energy sector personnel as key workers alongside seafarers and marine personnel. The aim is to achieve

IMCA, Together With Industry Groups, Influencing Key Worker Designation

ICAO, ILO, and IMO issue joint call to world governments on need for ‘key worker’ designations for essential air and sea personnel The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) joined the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 26 May 2020, in issuing a new Joint Statement on the need to ensure ‘key worker’ designations for the millions of skilled personnel now maintaining essential global air and sea trade capacities. The call to world governments comes as COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines continue to curtail travel and restrict border movements, ports and airports are being closed and ships

Survey to Support Implementation of IMO Recommended Framework Regarding Crew Changes

Members are invited to complete a very short survey to support industry efforts to encourage Governments to implement the IMO Recommended Framework of Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14of 5 May 2020) and facilitate crew changes throughout the pandemic in as many ports as possible. ICS is collecting information on the ability of ships to conduct crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please fill in theCrew Change Report Form– it only takes one minute to complete and is entirely anonymous. Shipping companies or Mastersare requested to complete the form

Lobbying IMO on Behalf of Offshore Workers

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is playing a key role in two industry groups lobbying the IMO to support a recommendation for Governments and national authorities to facilitate the movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is designed to ensure they are considered ‘key workers’, essentially to enable ease of movement during mobilisation and demobilisation for offshore sector crew changes. An international offshore energy industry group, comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP and ISOA, having gained initial approval from the IMO, wrote formally to the IMO Secretary-General to gain recognition of offshore energy sector personnel as

IMCA and Industry Group Lobbying IMO on Behalf of Offshore Workers

IMCA is playing a key role in an industry group lobbying the IMO to support a recommendation for Governments and national authorities to facilitate the movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic. An industry group comprising IADC, IAGC, IMCA, IOGP and ISOA, having gained initial approval from IMO, has now formally written to the IMO Secretary-General to gain recognition of offshore energy sector personnel as key workers alongside seafarers and marine personnel. If approved, the IMO Recommendation should facilitate easier movement during mobilisation and demobilisation for crew changes. Read the Industry Group Letter here Read the IMO

IMCA Supports Call to Recognise All Seafarers and Offshore Workers

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is supporting the call to action to recognise the significant efforts being made by seafarers and offshore workers globally during these challenging times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations such as the International Chamber of Shipping, its members, shipowners and port operators are encouraging vessel masters to participate in an act of recognition by requesting that all vessels in ports around the world sound their ship’s whistle on 1 May 2020 at 12.00hrs, providing it is safe to do so. This move is to celebrate and recognise the contributions and sacrifices that all workers,

IMCA Shares COVID-19 Guidance

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) continues to add to its dedicated COVID webpage a variety of information and links to be of use to its membership. The compilation includes COVID-19-related IMCA Safety Flashes and IMCA Information Notes, including those relating to the extension of renewal periods for certain industry recognised certificates e.g. for diver medicals and for DESIGN audits of diving systems. There is also specific DP information and links to relevant IMCA news and press releases. Various information and updates on operational matters from member companies are added as the situation changes and evolves. Additionally, the page features

IMCA COVID-19 Update

View COVID_19 update which collates the ongoing work of IMCA in tackling the many practical issues that have arisen as a result of lockdowns and travel restrictions. It also contains feedback from a number of Member companies and other associations on some current practices in addressing these problems. We would encourage our membership to share their solutions with us for the betterment of our industry. News Coverage Date Article Source 16 April 2020 The maritime industry remains active during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in a bid to ensure the future of the industry…. Read more Industry active during COVID-19 pandemic Maritime Journal

IMO Secretary-General Seeks UN Support Over “Keyworker” Designation for Seafarers

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has asked the United Nations system agencies to support IMO in its request to governments to declare seafarers, port personnel and other crucial maritime workers as key personnel. Mr. Lim made the plea during a virtual meeting (1 April) with other UN chiefs and the UN Secretary-General.  The meeting addressed the impact of COVID-19 on, among other things, disruption and restrictions to travel, trade flows, global logistics, supply of food, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. During the meeting, Mr Lim highlighted the importance of welfare and well-being of maritime personnel and particularly seafarers and the significance of crew changes

IMCA Actively Participates in COVID-19 Pandemic Industry Group

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is part of a COVID-19 Industry Group which has collaborated with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) to develop a preliminary list of recommendations for Governments and relevant national authorities on the facilitation of maritime trade during the pandemic. This COVID-19 Pandemic Industry Group comprises a broad cross section of global industry associations with consultative status at IMO representing the maritime transportation sector: ICS, BIMCO, CLIA, FONASBA, IACS, IAPH, IMCA, IMEC, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY, INTERMANAGER, INTERTANKO, IPTA, ITF, P&I Clubs and WSC (plus ASA and ECSA). In

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Diving Contractors

Guidance for Diving Contractors is provided below and also available to download here 1 BACKGROUND The novel Coronavirus disease, now named COVID-19, is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It was first identified during an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has since spread worldwide with increasing signs that it is spreading easily in the community. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19, and no specific treatment for the infection. The best way to protect against infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. The aims of this