Ports and Shipping-Shipping bodies call on Jeff Bezos to take a stand for stranded seafarers at industry round table.

The leaders of the major shipping bodies met virtually to discuss the most pressing issues facing the industry as we move into 2021. The Round Table chairs reiterated the that the industry is fully committed to finding solutions to the crew change and climate crises. Top of the agenda was the continued lack of international recognition for seafarers as key workers. Despite 90 percent of global trade relying on shipping in some part.

The upshot was a joint open letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos from, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and INTERTANKO. The letter calls for Bezos to use his influence and profile as the world's leading retail entrepreneur, who business relies upon global shipping, to take a stand for the 400,000 seafarers stranded at sea and exert pressure on the incoming Biden administration in the US and other world leaders to recognise seafarers key workers.

The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations was also a hot topic at the Round Table. With several vaccines having made headlines around the world for their high levels of efficacy, the issue of ensuring that seafarers who should be treated as key workers receive vaccinations quickly and efficiently was raised. Headlines have been made around the world throughout 2020 concerning the hundreds of thousands of sailors who...