In the Arctic, a international with great interest followed the Expedition. The German research vessel Polarstern drift, frozen in the pack ice, through the Northern polar sea. In April, the Experiment had to be interrupted however, The exchange of 100 scientists was the COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

After a total of three weeks, the Problem could be solved finally, The two research vessels Sonne, and Maria S. Merian brought relief team from Bremerhaven to Spitsbergen, after the scientists had spent two weeks in quarantine, and thus as not infected were.

"unacceptable"

What works for a project, except such as the Arctic research relatively smoothly, but not to the entire Maritime transfer. For the International "day of the seafarer" on 25. June was committed, defendant, the Association of German shipowners (VDR), the precarious situation of the seafarers.

"It is unacceptable that Crew changes are still allowed in nearly sufficient", had Alfred Hartmann, shipowners from said Leer in East Frisia, and President of the VDR. According to an estimate by the Association at the end of June, waited another 200,000 seafarers on Board on detachment, so many to Land on your bet.

"Urgent than ever"

The situation had eased in recent weeks, says Maya schwieger Hausen-Lüth now to the DW. It is in the Verdi trade Union for maritime economy. However, "even if the number of the Stranded could be reduced, is pressing the issue more than ever."

estimates of the Maritime organisation IMO, a United Nations Organisation, and surveys by the International transport workers ' Federation ITF, according to the waited, "today is still 120,000 to 150,000 seafarers to be able to leave your Desk and go back home," said schwieger Hausen-Güth. And it is reminiscent of "a similarly large number of seafarers who are waiting at home to be able to back your service on Board of ships to compete."

The carousel is not spinning

The Corona-crisis slowed down a complicated, but since the years of functioning of the personnel carousel out: More than 1.2 million seafarers working worldwide around 55,000 merchant ships, and about 200,000 of them per month are replaced by fresh Crews replaced.

This no longer works. Because in the course of the Corona-disease control must now be followed locally different quarantine regulations and ever-changing visa regulations to be observed. There is also no way to continue your journey by plane is often.

economically problematic

In more and more ports are Crew although possible, the Problem is not solved for a long time. "Let us not deceive"; thus, VDR-President Hartmann to the "day of the seafarer". Successful exchange of the crews, the exception, not the rule be "."

Here, the shipowners had also pointed to the economic problems caused by the difficulties in the exchange of the Crews: "If the Situation does not change, the logistics of tearing chains, because ships can't go any further," said Hartmann. "Then the supply is for all of us in danger." In fact, around 90 percent of the world's traded goods are transported by sea.

Private help, and papal assistance

on their ships stuck seafarers will take the time getting longer and longer and on-Board interpersonal tensions. No wonder, if in a relatively small space a lot of increasingly frustrated people are locked together.

For the Afflicted, there is rarely solid help, you can't stay more than consolation and encouragement of the private sector. In the ports, the seamen's mission, the churches or private persons to the fixed deal ends.

in addition, in the past few weeks, in addition to others, Pope Francis, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the EU Commission and the International Maritime organisation IMOfür the seafarers.

drops on a hot stone

Small successes already there is; Maya-in-law Hausen-Güth gives an example: "In the cruise sector, we have been able to achieve for Germany and the TUI fleet, that at least the Basic wage will continue to be paid." Nevertheless, the Situation on Board was often unbearable, especially for seamen, "which need not extend to the second or third Time in their contracts, because they come from the Board. In the case of these seafarers, the burden and the mental pressure increases. In recent times, we are told more and more often of suicide - not surprising in an industry that according to an OECD study of 2019 is a high congestion situation and the risk of suicide."

a cry for help to the policy

Even legally, the Situation for seafarers is complicated: There are not just German, work on the German ships, on-the-go. In addition to the crew members with a German passport, there are colleagues from many countries, often from Asia. This German ships often go under other flags - those from EU countries and very often from other, so-called flag States from Africa or the Caribbean, where the ship operation is less strictly regulated, and much cheaper.

Also for the representatives of the employees of Verdi that is a Problem. Maya schwieger Hausen-Güth often feels "from the 'large' flag States such as Panama, the Marshall Islands or Malta left alone. "Rarely flag States take their responsibilities and for the seafarers on the ships in their Register."

trade unionist schwieger Hausen-Güth I wish, therefore, that the policy of the on-Board shut-in sailors accept. The German policy had to convince to "deny nation-States to which travel restrictions on seafarers repealed and to take all necessary measures to ensure that a safe crew change is possible."

author: Dirk Kaufmann

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*The post "Due to Corona: released seafarers worldwide in forced quarantine" is from Deutsche Welle. Contact with the executives here.

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Date Of Update: 11 July 2020, 09:27