'High time' for a European maritime rescue package, Renew Europe MEPs argue
2 April 2020
The EU Commission has been urged to put together a specific maritime rescue and recovery action plan by European MEPs.
The MEP's from Renew Europe tweeted that 'Covid19 is affecting the maritime sector, putting the continuation of transportation of essential goods, such as food or medicines, at risk. High time for a maritime rescue and recovery action plan'
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic the Commission has already said it proposes to direct €37 billion under European Structural Investment to fight the economic crisis facing Europe, but the MEPs are arguing for a more targeted package specifically recognising maritime.
The maritime sector in Europe accounts for 90% of EU's external fright and 32% of the intra EU transport of goods. The internal market, citizens and industries needed a 'smooth and timely transportation of essential goods, food, medicines and a vast range of products of first necessity', Renew Europe said.
Sea and inland ports and the shipping industry especially needed a sector specific rescue and recovery action plan to 'ensure the continuity of seaborne trade to and from the EU, and to ensure less disruptions caused by the virus outbreak to the sector'.
Some 100,000 crew members need to change shift worldwide every month, so it was imperative seafarers were formally designated as keyworkers.
Inland waterway personnel across Europe should also be given special status to ensure these services were maintained.
For seafarers they asked the Commission to:
• ensure that all health and safety measures taken for transport workers are also applied to seafarers: to afford them a special consideration, providing the necessary assistance and flexibility to ensure the free movement of ships crews across borders as well as during change of shift
• ensure seafarers are recognised as keyworkers
• take effective measures at EU and international level in order to ensure the extension of the validity of current seafarer certificates by at least six months
• ensure the necessary assistance and funding for member states in implementing social protection and special assistance measures for seafarers based on best practices already put in place by some countries
• ensure that inland shipping personnel that have no Covid-19 symptoms are not stopped at internal borders, by including professional travel related to inland waterway transport in the Eu guidelines for border management measures.
• professional travel should be enabled to ensure transport of goods and services not only for transport workers are applied to inland waterway skippers and inland shipping persons – not just truck and train drivers
President of Renew Europe Dacian Cioloş @CiolosDacian later tweeted that the Commission's proposals for a short-time work scheme SURE is a welcome signal of solidarity with all European workers and a key request of Renew Europe.
'Saving jobs today is the first milestone for a quick recovery tomorrow.'
Among the signaturies on the open letter were the president of the fisheries committee of the European Parliament, Pierre Karleskind; Rotterdam MEP Caroline Nagtegaal; the president of the Balearics José Ramón Bauzá; and Danish liberal politician Søren Gade.
Nautilus members who are concerned or are experiencing difficulties related to the coronavirus outbreak are advised to contact their industrial organiser for assistance. In an emergency members can also contact the Nautilus 24/7 helpline.
More Nautilus assistance and our coronavirus resource hub can be found on our Assistance page.
Tags
More articles
Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus
Nautilus urges Member States to follow new IMO guidance on crew changes and repatriation
Nautilus has urged all International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States to follow new guidance on crew changes and repatriation during the Covid-10 pandemic.
ITF calls for repatriation of cruise crew stranded off Australia
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has called on the Australian government to repatriate crew stranded on cruise ships off the Australian coast.
Italian ship operators get green light to reduce crew numbers
Italy's port administrations have accepted a request from the country's ship operators to revise regular crewing arrangements in view of the halt to passenger volumes on services to and from Italy's many small islands following the Covid-19 national health emergency.
ITF criticises flag states for failing to protect health during coronavirus
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has criticised flag states for failing to protect seafarer and passenger health during the coronavirus pandemic as cruiseships are repeatedly refused permission to dock and disembark passengers amid precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Union welcomes easing of Singapore crew change restrictions
Nautilus has welcomed news that Singapore has adopted a more pragmatic approach to crew changes on cargo vessels after pressure by unions and the maritime industry.
ILO calls for seafarer protection during Covid-19 pandemic
The International Labour Organisation has fired a warning shot to government and employers urging them to respect international labour standards for seafarers and to 'keep a human-centred approach' for all workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nautilus flags UK Government support measures for members
Nautilus has joined forces with the RMT and the UK Chamber of Shipping to demand clarity over specific measures to support the maritime industry from UK Shipping Minister Kelly Tolhurst.