What’s your take on the seafarer's situation regarding crew changes?
Is progress being made? Can more be done?
MPP Charterer: "We do see progress here definitely. In Asia, more ports are open to crew changes, now realising the situation that many of them are in. It's all round necessary as it also affects the safe performance and operation of vessels. In australia especially, AMSA has taken a very strict approach to facilitating crew changes once crew have seen out the duration of their contract."
Shipping Business Owner: "It is still a disaster. However like many things in shipping, we operate out of sight. This works to a lot of companies advantage but when something like this happens it is difficult to catapult a conservative industry in front of the public to get support. Most of the public know nothing about how the world is supplied. So trying to compete for public attention when you avoid it in most situations will be difficult with all the other people suffering in sight of the public. Especially since these people were also in front of the public in good times too."
S&P Broker: "Progress is being made, but States who benefit from shipping and trade should spend more to make sure crew can get home and get to work."