(Eagle News)–The Maritime Industry Authority on Friday, May 29, reiterated the need to keep shipping and supply chains open amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
MARINA issued the statement as it outlined the procedures on ship crew changes and on the repatriation of seafarers in foreign-registered or Philippine-registered vessels docked in international ports or seaports under the jurisdiction of the Philippines.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said all available assistance should be extended to Filipino mariners, who are also considered as frontliners.
“We need to set all the procedures in place to guarantee the safety of our Filipino mariners especially during crucial moments as ship crew changes where they are vulnerable to the coronavirus. We must give them every bit of protection and assistance as any other frontliner in the global fight against COVID-19,” Tugade added.
MARINA administrator Robert Empedrad agreed, saying “we cannot overemphasize the indispensable role of the shipping industry especially in this time of the pandemic.”
“In the midst of the immeasurable suffering and chaos brought about by this health crisis, ships are quietly transporting cargoes of basic commodities such as grain, coal, oil and most importantly, medical supplies,” he said.
He said around 100,000 such ships carry almost 95% of the world trade.
“These ships are operated by close to 1.5 Million seafarers; 378,000 of which are Filipinos. Like doctors and nurses, seafarers have continued to work day and night while combatting fear, anxiety and great risk to their own health to keep the world trade afloat.” Empedrad said, adding that procedures on crew changes and on the repatriation of seafarers are being done in compliance with the existing safety and health protocols set by the Department of Health (DOH), and the quarantine protocols being enforced by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and the DOTr.
MARINA added that the procedures also follow the procedures recommended by the IMO as contained in its Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14 dated May 5.
“With the support and cooperation of all concerned government agencies and the private sector, especially the licensed manning agencies, we commit to fully implement this protocol in order to facilitate the crew change and repatriation of our beloved seafarers while safeguarding their safety and health,” Empedrad said.