MR Marine Group has officially joined a critical global coalition, adding its name to the more than 450 companies and organizations who have signed the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change. This worldwide call to action seeks to urgently end the unprecedented crew change crisis caused by the cascading disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic. By committing to this declaration, MR Marine Group reaffirms its deep responsibility to the foundational workforce of the maritime industry and the stability of global supply chains.
The Unprecedented Crisis Facing Seafarers
The coronavirus pandemic triggered a humanitarian crisis at sea, leaving hundreds of thousands of seafarers from across the globe stranded working aboard ships. Many of these essential workers were forced to remain at sea far beyond the expiry of their initial contracts, unable to be relieved due to widespread border closures, flight cancellations, and quarantine restrictions.
The consequences of this prolonged isolation and overwork are severe and multifaceted. Fatigue after long periods at sea has significant, detrimental consequences on the physical and mental well-being of seafarers. This humanitarian issue rapidly translates into serious operational risks. Chronic fatigue not only increases the danger of maritime incidents and potentially catastrophic environmental disasters but also poses a grave threat to the very integrity of maritime supply chains, which are responsible for carrying approximately 90% of global trade. Resolving the crew change crisis is therefore not just a moral obligation but an economic imperative for global stability and logistical resilience.
The Four Pillars of Action
The Neptune Declaration defines four fundamental and immediate actions necessary to facilitate essential crew changes and ensure global supply chains continue to function reliably. MR Marine Group fully supports and commits to advocating for these critical steps:
Recognize Seafarers as Key Workers and Give Them Priority Access to COVID-19 Vaccines: Granting seafarers key worker status is paramount. This designation allows them to cross borders, facilitates travel for crew changes, and ensures they receive priority access to essential COVID-19 vaccines. This is the single most effective measure to restore the fluidity of global crew movement and protect the health of the maritime workforce.
Establish and Implement Gold Standard Health Protocols Based on Existing Best Practice: There is a critical need for internationally consistent, reliable, and standardized health protocols. These protocols must cover testing, quarantine procedures, and travel corridors to minimize the risk of virus transmission during crew changes while maintaining the highest levels of safety and predictability for both seafarers and port communities.
Increase Collaboration Between Ship Operators and Charterers to Facilitate Crew Changes: Greater collaboration and scheduling flexibility between ship operators, charterers, and port agencies are necessary to coordinate crew rotations efficiently. Commercial pressures must not supersede the need to conduct safe and timely crew changes, ensuring the well-being of the crew is prioritized in all operational decisions.
Enhance Regulatory Frameworks to Facilitate Crew Changes: Governments and international bodies must urgently review and adjust visa, immigration, and quarantine regulations to remove the bureaucratic obstacles that prevent the free movement of seafarers. A unified global approach is essential for a sustainable solution to the crisis.
MR Marine Group’s Commitment to Maritime Responsibility
MR Marine Group is proud to be associated with this vital cause. By adding our name to the declaration, we publicly recognize that we have a shared responsibility alongside ship owners, charterers, and governments to ensure that the crew change crisis is resolved as swiftly and effectively as possible.
As a company dedicated to operational excellence and maritime safety, MR Marine Group boasts a worldwide network of service engineers. These specialists provide essential services for:
Marine Elevator Services: Ensuring the safe and reliable operation of critical vertical transportation.
Ballast Water Treatment Services (BWTS): Supporting compliance with environmental regulations.
Instruments and Controls Services: Maintaining the functionality of vital vessel automation and safety systems.
Our work puts us in direct contact with vessel crews, giving us firsthand insight into the mental and physical stress caused by prolonged contracts. Our commitment to the Neptune Declaration reinforces our dedication to supporting the people who power the ships we service. We urge all industry stakeholders to join this movement to secure the welfare of seafarers and the future of global trade.
Seafarers are the frontline workers of the maritime industry carrying 90% of global trade , sustaining the flow of goods that powers the global economy. Their welfare is inextricably linked to the operational success of the entire logistics network. We recognize that we have a shared responsibility to ensure that the crew change crisis is resolved as soon as possible.
MR Marine Group boasts a worldwide network of service engineers, specialized in marine elevator services, ballast water treatment services and Instruments and Controls services.
Read the full press release.
The declaration can be found here.
