By 24th September 2020, at a time where about 1.65 million seafarers were transporting more than 11 billion tonnes of cargo across the globe^(1,2,3), while also dealing with the consequences of a global crew change crisis, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres explained that:

“Despite the unprecedented conditions brought about by the pandemic, seafarers have continued to tirelessly support the often invisible global logistics chain. Physically and mentally exhausted, away from their families and loved ones, their time at sea has now been extended far beyond the standards stipulated in international conventions, with some tours of duty now stretching more than 17 months”⁽³⁾.

In his appeal to the UN Assembly, Guterres stressed that seafarers needed recognition as key workers, “ensuring safe crew changes” and “allowing stranded seafarers to be repatriated and others to join ships”⁽³⁾. As part of an international campaign, the year 2021 was proclaimed as the “year of action for seafarers”⁽⁴⁾.