International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) position paper on Oxygen on board ships:
https://www.ics-shipping.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMHA-position-paper-Oxygen-on-ships.pdf
COVID-19
In the current climate, ICS is working hard to support our members, the wider shipping community and global trade by providing guidance, recommendations and information for shipowners, seafarers and governments.
To help protect the health of seafarers and passengers, as well as the general public, International Chamber of Shipping ensures that best practice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) is available.
A growing number of guidance documents and posters including translations into French, Arabic and Spanish are available to download for free, plus best practices for completing the pre-transfer conference, and interactive versions of the ship/shore safety checklist.
Read more about how we are supporting the shipping industry and find useful links to further resources below.
Industry News
Press Release
3 December 2021
Major transport organisations warn governments’ knee-jerk reaction to Omicron variant puts supply chain at greater risk
Press Release
13 September 2021
ICS launches new guidance for seafarers and shipowners to navigate ongoing pandemic challenges
Press Release
24 June 2021
Shipping community puts pressure on governments to end crew change woes
Press Release
17 May 2021
Global shipping fleet to sound horns on 25th June to send a clear message to the world with a #ShoutOutForSeafarers
Press Release
13 May 2021
ICS releases Vaccination Roadmap to quicken seafarer jab rollout
Press Release
5 May 2021
Shipping unites to create $1M target emergency relief fund in response to COVID-19 seafarer crisis
Press Release
26 March 2021
ICS welcomes call from United Nations agencies to prioritise seafarers for COVID-19 vaccines
Press Release
22 March 2021
Shipping companies in ‘impossible position’ as proof of seafarer vaccinations poses legal minefield
Industry Guidance
Guidelines
December 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Legal, Liability and Insurance Issues arising from Vaccination of Seafarers, Second Edition
Guidelines
September 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Vaccination for Seafarers and Shipping Companies: A Practical Guide, Second Edition
Guidelines
June 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers, Fourth Edition
Guidelines
May 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Roadmap for Vaccination of International Seafarers
Guidelines
September 2021
Handling a Mental Health Crisis or Emergency and Spotting Suicidal Behaviour in Seafarers
Guidelines
September 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Seafarer Shore Leave Principles
Featured Resources
Guidelines
April 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Managing Ship and Seafarer Certificates during the Pandemic
Guidelines
August 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Protocols to Mitigate the Risks of Cases On Board Ships
Guidelines
May 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidelines for Ensuring a Safe Shipboard Interface Between Ship and Shore-Based Personnel
Tools and Workbooks
March 2020
COVID-19: 12-Step IMO Recommended Framework Infographic
Tools and Posters
Tools and Workbooks
June 2021
Poster: COVID-19 – Access to company or other support helplines for seafarers
Tools and Workbooks
June 2021
Poster: COVID-19 – Always remember and practise SEA
Tools and Workbooks
June 2021
Poster: COVID-19 – Keeping safe when on board
Tools and Workbooks
August 2020
Poster: COVID-19 – Stay healthy while travelling
Links to Further Resources
International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) interim position paper on Vaccination of seafarers against COVID-19:
International Maritime Organization (IMO) circulars, statements, advice and useful links:
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
Video providing guidance and information on managing the mental health of seafarers during the pandemic:
https://www.seafarerswelfare.org/news/2020/managing-your-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
Wilhelmsen Ships Service interactive map on current port restrictions:
https://wilhelmsen.com/ships-agency/campaigns/coronavirus/coronavirus-map
Free online COVID-19 tracker tool helping shipowners, charterers, operators and other maritime groups track country and port specific advice around the world, also detailing the measures being put in place in response to the pandemic:
Guidance on current best practices, the industry’s collective recommendations to governments, and regularly updated useful information:
https://sustainableworldports.org/world-ports-covid19-information-portal/
ICS is supporting the shipping industry through the pandemic by:
- Working with international organisations including the International Maritime Organization, the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organizations.
- Ensuring that best practice is available and responding to the emerging issues, bringing this to the attention of relevant international bodies and working with partners to identify solutions and make recommendations. To this end, ICS is holding twice weekly conference calls with our members around the world.
- Collaborating with fellow industry bodies to effectively target the support and recommendations which ICS, together and other industry bodies, are able to provide. ICS coordinates a weekly call with colleagues from fellow industry bodies.
- Liaising with welfare organisations to ensure we are able to support our seafarers in this difficult time. This is an important group which also ensures that seafarers’ voices are heard by the international organisations. ICS is coordinating a weekly call with various welfare organisations.
- Representing shipowners at the weekly COVID-19 Strategy Group call with the International Maritime Organization, the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization, as well as other bodies such as the European Commission.
- Coordinating action on a wide range of issues, including crew welfare, satellite access, cruise industry workers and liaising with port organisations and class societies to ensure the safe and environmentally sensitive operation of the global shipping sector. To this end, ICS is working closely with partners, such as the unions and other industry bodies.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Seafarers and Shipping Companies
Clear & practical advice on COVID-19 vaccinations for seafarers and shipping companies is available now. Watch the video to learn more. Thanks to all the seafarers and onshore teams that made the video possible.
#HeroesAtSea Campaign
Watch and share the film about our #HeroesAtSea campaign, highlighting the #crewchangecrisis and the need for governments to take action.
Annual Review 2020
The 2020 Annual Review covers the impact of COVID-19 and the intensifying crew change crisis plus a broad cross-section of such as efforts to decarbonise shipping and the USD 5 billion industry fund to accelerate the R&D of zero-carbon technologies.