MSC.1-Circ.1636-IndustryRecommendedFrameworkOfProtocolsForEnsuringSafeShipCrewChangesAndTravel

INTERNATIONALEMARITIMEORGANIZATION4 ALBERT EMBANKMENTLONDON SE1 7SRTelephone:+44(0)2077357611Fax:+44(0)2075873210MSC.1/Circ.1636/Rev.122 April 2021INDUSTRY RECOMMENDED FRAMEWORK OF PROTOCOLSFOR ENSURING SAFE SHIP CREW CHANGES AND TRAVELDURING THE CORONAVIRUS(COVID-19)PANDEMIC1The Maritime Safety Committee,at its 102nd session (4 to 11 November 2020),inter alia,recognized the importance of the Recommended framework of protocols for ensuringsafe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus(COVID-19)pandemic,circulated bymeans of Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14/Rev.1 (the protocols),and that,so far as practicable,Member States and all stakeholders concemed should consider applying the protocols to themaximum extent possible.2The Committee noted that a broad cross section of global industry associations inconsultative status with the Organization representing the maritime transportation sector'werekeeping the protocols under review as the pandemic developed and that the protocols wouldneed further revision.The Committee therefore authorized the Chair and the IMO Secretariatto distribute any revised versions of the protocols as revisions of this MSC circular withoutwaiting for the Committee's prior approval.The Committee would then be invited to endorseany revised circular retrospectively at its next meeting.3The protocols have now been revised to take account of issues relevant to the globalrollout of vaccines and the critical part they will play in facilitating ships'crew changes and theefficient movement of world trade,including,inter alia,Circular Letter No.4204/Add.38of 25 March 2021 containing a Joint Statement issued by the Secretary-General of ICAO,theDirector-General of ILO,the Secretary-General of IMO,the Director-General of WHO and theDirector-General of IOM.The Joint Statement urges all United Nations Member States toprioritize seafarers in their national COVID-19 vaccination programmes,to protect themthrough vaccination as soon as possible and to facilitate their safe movement across borders.Member States are invited to consider the protocols,set out in the annex,and adviseowners,operators and managers of ships entitled to fly their flag,as appropriate,as well asshipboard personnel employed or engaged on such ships to act accordingly,taking also intoaccount the Recommended action to facilitate ship crew change,access to medical care andseafarer travel during the COVID-19 pandemic(resolution MSC.473(ES.2)).Intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultativestatus with the Organization are also invited to consider the protocols,and other guidance,asprovided in paragraph 4 above,and advise their membership accordingly.ICS,IAPH,BIMCO,IFSMA,INTERTANKO,P&I Clubs,CLIA,INTERCARGO,InterManager,IPTA,IMCAINTERFERRY,FONASBA,ITF and WSC with input from the International Maritime Employers'Council(IMEC),the International Maritime Heath Association(IMHA)and the International Air Transport Association(IATA).I:CIRCMS