

(Posted on 17/05/21)
Amid growing fears of an impending escalation of the humanitarian crisis facing seafarers, SRI, the international pan-industry body researching maritime and seafarers’ law, applauds the recent initiative from United Nations Agencies to protect seafarers’ rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Urging all cargo owners and charterers to support the new wide-ranging human rights toolkit, SRI does, however, warn that rogue operators may benefit without proper enforcement of the standards.
“It is very welcome to see this response to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis from the UN Global Compact, the UN Human Rights Office, the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization,” says Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of SRI. “Such initiatives can be very effective in creating awareness and raising the standards of acceptable behaviour in the global supply chains”.
“The COVID-19 crisis has brought out the very best and the worst of the maritime industry,” she explains. “We have seen many shipping companies go well beyond the mark to support their seafarers. But as we know, there is always a minority who seek to exploit any situation and who compete unfairly with the rest of the industry. It is these rogue operators who will not have the new toolkit top of their reading list and who must not be allowed to escape the standards.”
The new guidance was issued following the latest resolution of the Special Tripartite Committee of the ILO, calling again on ‘… Members and shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations to work jointly to ensure the promotion and respect for seafarers’ rights under the MLC, 2006’.
“Enforcement is essential to the success of this initiative,” adds Deirdre Fitzpatrick. “Whilst we can always hope that voluntary standards are followed, there needs also to be a commitment to address how these standards can be enforced. Here there is a critical role to be played by the industry, by workers and their organisations, and by the States themselves.”
Biomar has been delivered to ESL Shipping's subsidiary AtoB@C Shipping on June 16, bringing the number... Read more
Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. (GESCO), India's largest private fleet owner of bulkers and tankers,... Read more
Baltic Exchange has launched a new quality control mechanism to support its ongoing audit policies for... Read more
INTERCARGO, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, reports encouraging progress in bulk... Read more
Marcura and Dataloy Systems have announced a new phase in their long-standing strategic partnership... Read more
According to DNV’s latest report, Maritime Safety Trends 2014-2024 - Preparing for future risks... Read more
The second of three Damen Combi Freighters (CF) 3850 has been launched in China for Fast Lines Belgium... Read more
Inclusion is every bit as important as diversity in ensuring that shipping becomes a truly welcoming... Read more
AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions and market intelligence... Read more
Veson Nautical, a global leader in maritime data and freight management solutions, and The Great Eastern... Read more