MMA Offshore is proud to have joined over 500 companies across the world in signing the Neptune Declaration – a global call to action in support of seafarers affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the way our seafarers work and live. Border closures, visa complications, and crew change limitations continue to pose a major challenge to the maritime sector. With the wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of seafarers affected, these impacts have been experienced on a global scale.
As a vessel operator, MMA Offshore recognises the necessity of industry and governmental collaboration and the shared responsibility we all have in resolving the crew change crisis.
Established by the Global Maritime Forum, the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change was created to address the crisis and call for urgent action. The declaration outlines four key actions:
- Recognise seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to COVID-19 vaccines;
- Establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing best practice;
- Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew changes; and
- Ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has meant many challenges for MMA’s seafarers. There has been a remarkable effort from our offshore teams to keep our fleet running during these challenging 12 months and we thank them for their commitment and efforts. MMA is proud to be a signatory of the Neptune Declaration and we will continue to take actions to support our seafarers across our regions of operation, with a clear focus on their safety and wellbeing.” – David Ross, Managing Director
To find out more about the Neptune Declaration, please visit: https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/neptune-declaration