International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary-general Kitack Lim has endorsed a series of recommendations designed to ensure seafarers can quickly and safely access medical care ashore.

Seaborne trade is set to drop by 1bn in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic according to Clarksons, but there are signs the industry is passing “peak” impact.

Singapore has approved more than 4,000 cases of crew change to-date during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a move made possible with collaboration between the local authorities and industry players.

Despite the difficulties in conducting crew changes due to restrictions around the world to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic Fleet Management has scored considerable success in India and China.

A full crew change has been conducted in Singapore using new guidelines developed by the industry and authorities, with seafarers on chartered flights.

Inmarsat continues to ramp up its response to Covid-19, with additional initiatives to improve seafarer well being.

Certification in infection prevention has been introduced by DNV GL in a move to assist shipping in resuming operations better prepared to cope with Covid-19 or other emerging pathogens.

The Panama Canal is feeling the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic with a substantial drop in ships transit in April and May, Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez, said in a virtual forum organised by a local newspaper.

The COVID-19 pandemic is projected to lead to an “unprecedented decline” in world container trade, according to Clarksons Research director Trevor Crowe.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has raised the alarm on an increasing number of seriously ill seafarers being denied medical evacuation or access to ports during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.