In light of the challenging situations arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) have issued statements highlighting that seafarers should be exempted from travel restrictions and be treated as "key workers". This comes after reports that in some parts of the world suppliers have been prevented from boarding ships to give masks, overalls and other personal protective equipment to crews. Some ports have also refused to allow some ships to enter because they had previously docked in areas affected by COVID-19, preventing vessels from obtaining essential supplies. The unforeseen consequence of this ban has been for seafarers to be stuck onboard, unable to... View more
