On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. The ever-stricter measures imposed by governments, in an attempt to contain or delay the spread of the disease, are causing significant disruption to seaborne trade. Companies like Reed Smith have been fielding questions on a range of issues relating to Covid-19 in the shipping industry, the most common of which are outlined below.
1. Crew health
Owners’ priority will always be the well-being of the crew on their vessels. They should:
(a) Circulate health and hygiene measures. The master should ensure full understanding and compliance, be particularly alert to any symptoms suggesting that a crew member may have been infected and take immediate steps to isolate that person and seek urgent and appropriate medical advice.
(b) Disclose to the vessel’s next port of call any suspected cases of Covid-19 on board.
(c) Exercise particular care when persons need to board the vessel in the course of the vessel’s trade (eg agents, stevedores, local authorities) and limit all non-essential interactions.
(d) Monitor the mental health of their crews.
(e) Work with their P&I insurer to agree in advance a response plan in case of a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19 on board the vessel to ensure they remain covered.
(f) Understand that failure to take appropriate pre-emptive and responsive steps may expose owners to liability for crew members who contract Covid-19.
2020 Informa UK plc. This article first appeared in Maritime Risk International, May 2020, pp 9-11. To read the full article, please download the PDF below.
