We would like to brief you about the recent and on-going developments and give you an up-date about the situation as it stands today.
As we have already advised you, we were considering to implement crew changes as from the 5th of May, however, we pointed out that the normal and regular crew change procedures could not be implemented from that day due to various restrictions.
By the time of writing this message to you, there are still numerous COVID-19 related restrictions in place worldwide, however we are conducting crew changes on a case-to-case basis, when and where possible and complying with local, national and international regulations as well as with our COVID-19 related procedures.
Since the 5th of May we have arranged the joining and disembarking of about 1620 crew, which is approximately a third of the crew movements we arrange during normal times.
We were successful in organising crew changes for our Russian and Ukrainian seafarers by flying them via the airport of Minsk or Tallin, as well as with our Polish crew by using Berlin airport or arranging crew changes by land transport. With regards to the crew change ports, they were mainly possible in the ports of Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, but also in smaller numbers in Poland, Romania, Sweden, Latvia and Ireland.
The situation in many other locations where we normally relieve our crew remains difficult, with complete abundance of commercial flights in and out of the country and restrictions by local authorities for any seafarer to join or disembark a vessel.
For our Filipino colleagues, the situation remains more difficult due to the General Community Quarantine imposed over large parts of the Philippines, the closure of all airports excluding Manila which however allows only a number of maximum 400 passengers arriving for 5 days a week.
In general, all crew members are prepared “as best as possible” to avoid carrying the Covid-19 virus on board, by a number of measures like home quarantine including twice-daily temperature checking and recording for 14 days prior joining, arranging a Covid-19 test prior departing, briefing on the importance of social distancing rules and handing out ‘Covid-19 travel packs’ containing face masks, gloves and sanitiser for the travel to the vessel.
We are closely following up on the availability of commercial flights. It seems that with the slow recovery from the pandemic situation, some airlines will start again on the main routes used by us during the second half of June.
The colleagues from crew operations in Cyprus, Germany and the Netherlands are closely monitoring the situation for each specific vessel. They will gradually increase the number of crew changes when and where possible. We are taking all of the above into consideration, with the knowledge that we are still facing many obstacles and limitations.
We once again THANK ALL parties involved, particularly our seafarers and their families, for cooperating so professionally.
Updated Company Advisories
Announcement 12 August 2020 - Company Updated Advisory on Coronavirus
Announcement 8 July 2020 - Company Advisory on Coronavirus - Update
Previous Company Advisories
Announcement 30 April 2020 - Updated Company Advisory Regarding Coronavirus
Announcement 8 April 2020 - New Company Advisory Regarding Coronavirus
Announcement 23 March 2020 - Update - Company Advisory on Coronavirus
Announcement 14 March 2020 - Company Advisory regarding Coronavirus
