The Neptune Declaration

on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change

Overcoming the Seafarer Crisis: Enabling Crew Changes and Repatriation

The Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented crew change crisis which has led to hundreds of thousands
of seafarers being impacted and in many instances left stranded on ships1, beyond the expiry of their contracts.
Despite significant efforts by international organizations, governments, industry associations, labor unions, NGOs
and individual companies including the adoption on 1 December 2020 by the UN General Assembly of a resolution
on International cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to
support global supply chains2, the issue is still far from resolved.

This is not an acceptable way to treat seafarers, who are the frontline workers of the maritime industry carrying 90%
of global trade. Fatigue after extended periods at sea has significant consequences on the physical and mental
wellbeing of seafarers. It also increases the risk of maritime incidents and environmental disasters, and poses a
wider threat to the integrity of global supply chains, which depend on safe and reliable maritime transport.

This is why a taskforce of stakeholders from across the maritime value chain has identified the following key issues
preventing crew changes, that require urgent action:

• While high-quality health protocols have been adopted internationally, they have not been consistently
implemented in practice. This has led authorities to perceive seafarers as a Covid-19 risk, which has limited
the possibilities of crew changes.
• Implementing high-quality crew change protocols will reduce the economic risk of disrupted supply chains
but will lead to increased short-term costs.
• The disruption of international air travel has reduced the number of flights, causing connectivity issues
between major crew change hubs and major seafaring nations, which has complicated crew changeovers.

Taking action to deliver on our shared responsibility

We, the signatories to The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change, recognize that we have
a shared responsibility to ensure that the current crew change crisis is resolved as soon as possible and to use the
learnings from the crisis as an opportunity to build a more resilient maritime supply chain.

We believe that the most effective way of addressing the crew change challenge and building a more resilient
maritime logistics chain, is by working together across the value chain with industry stakeholders, organizations
and with governments to implement solutions that work in practice.

Therefore, we commit to take action to resolve the crew change crisis, based on our position and role in the value-
chain, thereby ensuring the rights and wellbeing of the seafarers supporting global supply chains. We call on our
peers and other stakeholders, in particular relevant government bodies, to join us in our efforts.

1  http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_755390/lang--en/index.htm
2  https://www.undocs.org/en/A/75/L.37

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To make tangible improvements, the following actions should be implemented:

• Recognize seafarers as key workers and give them priority access to Covid-19 vaccines
Seafarers should be recognized as key workers by all governments in line with the UN General Assembly
resolution adopted on 1 December 2020 and the transition of seafarers across borders should be facilitated
based on internationally agreed, high-quality health protocols.
Governments and other stakeholders should work together with the maritime industry to ensure that
seafarers, irrespective of their nationality, get priority access to Covid-19 vaccines alongside other key
workers and health care professionals in recognition of their critical role in global supply chains and trade.
This should include developing protocols that ensure vaccinations are correctly certified and effectively
administered to seafarers as well as establishing a standardized format for health passes that contain
tamper proof information about vaccination and testing status to facilitate crew changes.
• Establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing best practice
The maritime industry and governments should implement The Recommended Framework of Protocols for
ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic3 which has been
recognized by the International Maritime Organization.
To minimize the risk of Covid-19, to build trust that crew changes can be carried out in a safe manner, and
to ensure that the measures taken can be universally accepted, the implementation of the Framework of
Protocols should be based on the highest practicable standards. The STAR Crew Change Protocols4, which
are based on existing best practice, are thus recommended for industry-wide adoption.
• Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew changes
Facilitating crew changes based on high-quality health protocols is a shared responsibility which will create
benefits for all by minimizing the risk of Covid-19 spread on vessels, minimizing the risk of disruptions to
global supply chains, while contributing to maritime safety and the wellbeing of seafarers.
Ship owners and charterers should share relevant information transparently and collaborate to ensure that
necessary crew changes can be carried out with the least impact possible in terms of cost and delays. The
owner should provide the charterer with as much notice as possible on intended crew changes, while the
charterer should make all reasonable efforts to accommodate crew changes including when the vessel has
to make a reasonable deviation.
No charter contracts should contain clauses preventing necessary crew changes from being carried out,
as the aggregate effect of such clauses could be a serious obstacle to the safe operation of maritime trade
and the protection of the wellbeing and rights of seafarers.
By implementing high-quality health protocols, ship owners can reduce the risk of trade disruption due
to Covid-19, which also creates benefits to charterers. These benefits should be reflected in chartering
decisions to create incentives for shipowners to implement high-quality health protocols and be
transparent about actions taken as well as costs incurred.
• Ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers
The aviation industry should work together with the maritime industry to ensure that airlift capacity is
established between major crew changing hubs and seafaring nations.
Additionally, the aviation and maritime industries as well as governments – involving all relevant ministries
and agencies – should work together to establish a universally accepted and harmonized framework of
standards for the validation of trusted health data for seafarers to facilitate border crossing and ensure the
long-term resilience of air connectivity.

3  https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/COVID%20CL%20
4204%20adds/Circular%20Letter%20No.4204-Add.14%20-%20Coronavirus%20%28Covid-19%29%20-%20
Recommended%20Framework%20Of%20Protocols.pdf
4  http://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/content/2020/12/The-Neptune-Declaration-STAR-protocols.pdf
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Signatories

2020 Bulkers Apollo Ship Management Blue Ocean Marine and Offshore
3Seas Shipping APORMAR Seafarers Portuguese Solutions
Agency Blue Planet Shipping
A
Apostleship of the Sea of the United BMT
A. M. Nomikos Transworld Maritime States of America Borealis Maritime
Agencies
Aquatrade BOURBON
A. P. Møller-Mærsk
ARCADIA SHIPMANAGEMENT BP
A. Pérez y Cía
Ardmore Shipping Brentwood Communications
ABC Maritime
ARGELAN SHIPS SERVICE Bridgefort Crew Management
Aderco International
Argo Crew Briese Crew Management
ADNOC Logistics & Services
Armateurs de France Briese Schiffahrts
Adriatic Crewing and Maritime
Asahi Shipping Bureau Veritas
Agency
Ashley Chartering Limited Burmester & Vogel
Advanced Polymer Coatings
Asiatic/Atlantic Lloyd Group Burnley Marine Services
Advent International
Assarmatori BW Group
Airports Council International (ACI)
World Associated Steamship Agents
C
Alandia Association of Malaysia’s Maritime
Professionals/IKHTISAS KELAUTAN Camellia Line
Alassia NewShips Management
MALAYSIA (IKMAL) Cape Shipping
Alberta Shipmanagement
Atlantic Ship Management Caravel Group
Asahi Shipping
Atlantska Plovidba Cargill Ocean Transportation
Alfa Laval
Atlas Professionals Carisbrooke Shipping
Alfa Ship & Crew Management
ATPI Marine & Energy Celsius Shipping
Algeciras Bay Port Community
Auerbach Schifffahrt Centrum Marine Consultancy
(COMPORT)
AV Global Marine CF Sharp Crew Management
Allmode Global
Avance Gas Holding Channel Bunker Services
All-Ukrainian Association of Crewing
Companies AVB Ahrenkiel Vogemann Bolten Charles Taylor Investment
Management Company
Alma Maritime Group Corporation B Chevron Shipping Company
ALP Maritime Services Bahri Ship Management
China LNG Shipping (International)
Altera Infrastructure BAO-NYK Shipping
China Merchants Energy Shipping
American Maritime Services BBC Chartering (Singapore)
AMSOL - African Marine Solutions Belships Management (Singapore) Chios Navigation (Hellas)
Anchor SM (Singapore) BEMAC Corporation Chugoku Marine Paints
Anglo-American Ben Line Agencies Citi
Anglo-Eastern Univan Group Berge Bulk Cluster Maritime Français
Anosis Maritime BHN Shipping Group CMA CGM Group
Anglo International Shipping Bibby Marine CMAF- Comité Marseillais des
Operations
BIMCO Armateurs de France
Anthony Veder Group
Black Sea Contractors CNMAR Shipping
Apex Ship Management
Blackbird Air Charter Coastal Shipping Limited

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Signatories

Coaster Ship Owners and Operators Diana Shipping Services F

Association (KOSDER) Döhle Seafront Crewing (Manila) F. Laeisz
Columbia Cruise Services Donnelly Tanker Management Fednav
Columbia Shipmanagement Dorian LPG Management Fidelity International
Compagnie Maritime Nantaise - MN Doun Kisen Filipino Association for Mariners’
Concordia Maritime Drew Marine USA Employment (FAME)
Confidence Shipping Company Dromon Bureau of Shipping Filipino Shipowners’ Association
CONFITARMA - Italian Shipowners’ Dufferin Maritime (FSA)
Association Filistos ASCOT
Dynarep Shipping Consultants
Contships Management First Ship Lease Trust
Corpus Christi International E Flagship Ship Agencies
Seamen’s Center Eagle Bulk Shipping Fleet Management
Cosmos Agency Eagle Industry FLEX LNG
CPO Containerschiffreederei Eastern Pacific Shipping FONASBA
COSCO SHIPPING Lines EDT Offshore Group Foreign Owners Representatives and
CoShip Element Shipmanagement Ship Managers Association
Crowley Maritime Corporation Elettra Foremost Group
Cymona Shipping Management Emarat Maritime Foresight Group
Cyprus Shipping Chamber Emirates Ship Investment Company Frontline
Charles Taylor Investment EMS-Fehn-Group FrontM Limited
Management Company ENESEL Group Fugro
Chevron Shipping Company ENL Services France LNG Shipping
China Merchants Energy Shipping Enterprises Shipping and Trading Fratelli Cosulich
(Singapore) EP Resources Fukujin Kisen
Chugoku Marine Paints EPI Group Holdings FUKUSHIMA
D Epic Gas FURUNO ELECTRIC
d’Amico Soc. di Navigazione EPSCO Group
G
D. Oltmann Reederei Ernst Jacob
G Travel
Daihatsu Diesel ESGPlus
G2 Ocean
Daikin MR Engineering Esvagt
GAC
Daiwa Kisen Euronav
GasLog
Danaos Shipping European Community Shipowners’
Associations Gazocean
Danica Crewing Specialists
Evergas Gearbulk Norway
Dee4 Capital Partners
Evergreen Marine Corp Genco Shipping & Trading
Demurrage Desk
EveryWay Travel Genid Shipping & Logistics
Denholm Group
Excelerate Technical Management GERMAN MARINE AGENCIES
Deutsche Seemannsmission
Executive Ship Management Global Marine Group
DFDS
EXMAR Global Maritime Consultants Group
DHT Holdings
Exporters Competitive Maritime Global Maritime Forum
Diamond S Shipping
Council Global Seaways

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Signatories

Golar LNG I International Parcel Tankers

Gram Car Carriers Ibamari Shipbuilding Association
Golden Ocean ID Shipping Agency International Seafarers’ Welfare and
Assistance Network (ISWAN)
Gorrissen Federspiel IDWAL
International Seaways
Grieg Star Ignazio Messina & C.
International Ship-Owners Alliance
Grieg Maritime Group IHI Power Systems
of Canada (ISAC)
Grimaldi Group IMC Shipping
International Support Vessel Owners’
Grindrod Shipping INCARGO Association
Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) Ince International Transport Workers’
Gungen Denizcilik ve Ticaret Inchcape Shipping Services Federation
Gunvor Indeets Consulting International Union of Marine
ING Insurance (IUMI)
H
Inmarsat Internavis
H. Vogemann Group
Indian Maritime Foundation Internship Navigation
Hachiuma Steamship
INTERCARGO - International Interorient Shipmanagement
Hadley Shipping Group
Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners INTERTANKO
Hafnia Pools
InterManager - - International Ionic
Halcyon Recuitment Association of Ship and Crew IQrew Management (IQM)
Hamanaka Chain Manufacturing Managers
IRIS Security
Hammonia CrewCo International Association of
Irish Institute of Master Mariners
Hammonia Reederei Classification Societies (IACS)
IS Container
Hapag-Lloyd International Association of
Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) ISGAM
HarpainGas
International Association of Ports ISM Shipping Solutions
Harren & Partner
and Harbours ITF Seafarers’ Trust
Hartmann Dry Cargo Germany
International Bunker Industry
Hartmann Gas Carriers Germany J
Association
Helm Specialist Recruitment J&J Denholm
International Chamber of Shipping
Hempel Japan Marine United Corporation
International Christian Maritime
HMM Association Japan Radio
Höegh Autoliners International Federation of JCRS
Höegh LNG Shipmasters’ Associations Jebsen PTC
Honda Heavy Industries International Harbour Masters’ Jebsen PTC Maritime
Hong-Kong Maritime Museum Association JIFMAR OFFSHORE SERVICES
Horizon Maritime Offshore International Marine Contractors John T. Essberger
Horizon Maritime Services Association Joint Ship Manning Group (JMG)
Houston International Seafarers’ International Marine Purchasing Junge & Co. Versicherungsmakler
Center Association (IMPA)
International Maritime Association K
Human Rights at Sea
of the Philippines (INTERMAP) K Line Ship Management (Singapore)
Hunterlink EAP
International Maritime Employers’ Kaptanoglu Shipping
Council Kawasaki Heavy Industries

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Signatories

Kawasaki Kisenn Kaisa (“K” LINE) Magsaysay People Resources Michele Bottiglieri Armatore
KOTUG group of companies Corporation (MPRC) / Magsaysay MINSHIP Shipmanagement
Maritime Corporation (MMC)
Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi MISC Group comprising MISC Bhd,
Manabe Zoki AET and Eaglestar Marine Holdings
Kumiai Navigation
Manaco Marine (L)
Kumiai Senpaku
MarCoPay Mitsubishi Ore Transport
Kyklades Maritime
Mare Supply & Services Mitsubishi Shipbuilding
Kyla Shipping
Marfin Management Monaco, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Company
Kyoei Tanker
Managers for Topic Fleet Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
L Marin Shipmanagement MK Centennial Maritime
LADOL Free Zone Marine & Offshore Div., Bureau (Netherlands)
Landbridge Ship Management (HK) Veritas Japan MK Centennial Maritime (Singapore)
Latsco Marine Management Marine Benefits MM Marine
Lauritzen Bulkers Marine Capital MMA Offshore Limited
Lauritzen Kosan Marine Services Group MOL LNG Transport
Lemissoler Marine Tours MOL LNG Transport (Europe)
Leonhardt & Blumberg Marine Transport Workers Trade MOL LNG Transport (Asia)
Shipmanagement Union of Ukraine
MOL Ship Management
Leth Agencies Marine Underwriting Services
MOL Ship Management (S)
Liberian Registry MARINO Party-List
MOL Tankship Management
Lighthouse Shipmanagement Phils Maritima
MPC Container Ships
Lindholm Shipping Maritime Association of Shipowners,
MR Marine Group
LLC Novikontas Kaliningrad Shipmanagers & Agents
MSC Mediterranean Shipping
Lloyds’ Register Maritime Industry Australia
Company
Load Line Marine Maritime Trainer
MSea Management
Logbridge (UK Southhampton) Marlow Navigation
MTM Ship Management
Lomar Shipping Marsh
Multiport Ship Agency Network
London Ship Managers Marshal Ship Management
Munich Re Syndicate
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs MarTrust Corporation
MURELOIL
Louis Dreyfus Company MasOceans
Mastermind Shipmanagement N
Lubeca Marine Management
Mastership (MASTER MARITIME Naftomar Shipping and Trading
Lucent Global Ship Services
AGENCIES) Nagasaki Sempaku Sobi
M Matrix Ship Management Nakakita Seisakusho
M.T. Maritime Management (USA) McNeal Law Firm Namura Shipbuilding
Mærsk Drilling HURTWORKINGOFFSHORE.com Nautilus Labs
Maersk Supply Service Memisoglu Kurun Law Firm Navig8 Chemical Tankers
Mærsk Tankers Merchant Navy Welfare Board Navigator Gas
Maestro Shipmanagement Metrostar Management Neda Maritime Agency
Magsaysay MOL Ship Management MF Shipping Group NET Ship Management
MH Bland Group Netvision

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Signatories

Nihon Shipyard Olympic Shipping & Management PROPEL Social

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) OMA Group West Africa PSA International
Nippon Pusnes Oman Shipping Company Q88
Nissen Kaiun OMS Group
Q
Nitta Kisen Kaisha Orange Marine
Qatar Gas Transport (Nakilat)
Norbulk Shipping UK ORION Reederei
Queensway Navigation
Norden Ortaköy Maritime Alumni Association
Queensway Services
Nordic Bulk Carriers Oshima Shipbuilding
Nordic Hamburg Shipmanagement Osiris Consultants R
Nordic P&I Group OSM Maritime Rederiet Stenersen
Norse Shipholding OSPR - The Offshore Safe Reederei Bernd Sibum
Norstar Ship Management Professionals Register Reederei Hamburger Lloyd
North American Maritime Ministry “Reederei Nord Shipmanagement
P
Association on behalf of
P&O Maritime Logistics REEDEREI NORD Group”
Northern Lighthouse Board
Pacific Basin Shipping Ridgebury Tankers
Northern Marine Group
Pacific Carriers Limited RightShip
Norwegian Shipowners’ Association
PACIFIC GAS Rio Tinto
Nova Marine Carriers
Pacific International Lines Rocktree Logistics
NRP Finans
Pangaea Logistics Solutions Roll Group
NRP Maritime Asset Management
Petredec
NSB Group S
PetroStrat
NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers S5 Agency World
Philippine Association of Manning
NYK Bulkship (Asia) Agencies and Ship Managers Safe Bulkers
NYK Bulkship (ATLANTIC) (PAMAS) Safe Bulkers Management
NYK Bulkship (Korea) Philippine Transmarine Carriers Safebridge
NYK Cruises Philippine-Japan Manning Safety Management Overseas
NYK Energy Transport (Atlantic) Consultative Council (PJMCC) Saga Shipholding (Norway)
NYK Energy Transport (USA) Phoenix Shipping Group Saga Welco
NYK FIL Maritime E-Training Pleiades Shipping Agents Sailors’ Society
NYK Line Pole Star Samudera Indonesia
NYK LNG Shipmanagement (UK) Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Santoku Senpaku
NYK LNG Shipmanagement Center
Scalabrini Center for People on the
NYK Shipmanagement POSH Fleet Services Move
NYK-FIL Ship Management POSH Saudi Scalabrini Development Office
NYK-TDG Maritime Academy Potentia Unleash The Power of Scorpio
People
Sea Globe Management & Trading
O Precious Shipping PCL
Sea World Management & Trading
Ocean Networks Express PREVENTION at Sea
Seacor Marine
Ocean Technologies Group probunkers
Seafarers UK
Oceanwide Expeditions Promar
Seamar Management
Odfjell SE

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Signatories

Seamen’s Church Institute Stichting Pastoraat Werkers Overzee The Shipping Professional Network
Seanergy Stena Shipping and Ferries London
Seaspan Ship Management Stolt Tankers The Standard Club
SeaTankers Services (UK) StratumFive Thomas Miller Holdings
Senator Crewing (Manila) Subsea Global Solutions Tidewater
SFG Engineering Services Sunrui Marine Environment TMS-Hamburg Technical Marine
Engineering Services
SFL Corporation
Sunship Schiffahrtskontor Thome Group
Shell Shipping & Maritime
Sustainable Shipping Initiative Tohmei Shipping
Shin Kurushima Dockyard
Swire Pacific Offshore Tokyo Keiki Inc. Marine Systems
Shinko
Company
Shinkoh Swire Shipping
Tomini Shipping
Shinyang NF Shipping Swiss Ocean Yacht Management
Torm
ShipMoney Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
Tortoise Engineering
Shipping Australia Synergy Marine Group
Torvald Klaveness
Shunzan Kaiun T Total Marine Solutions
Singhai Marine Services (Shanghai) Tagashira Kaiun Tototheo Maritime
Sirius Ship Management Taiheiyo Kisen Kaisa Trafigura
Sitara Shipping Taihua Ship Management Transmed Maritime Limited
Skuld TAIKO KIKAI INDUSTRIES Transmed Shipping Co. Ltd.
SMT Shipping Poland Tamar Ship Management Transocean Shipmanagement
SOCATRA Ta-Na Crew Manning Agency (Phils)
Sogestran Shipping Tankerska plovidba Transportation Institute
Solstad Offshore Tata NYK Shipping TriNøden Marine
Someca Transport Taylor Maritime (HK) Tsakos Shipping and Trading
Sonangol Marine Services TCC Group Tsuneishi shipbuilding
Songa Container Team Tankers International Tufton
Songa Shipmanagement Technomar Shipping Turkish Chamber of Shipping
South Trade Shipmanagement Teekay Group Turkish Maritime Federation
South32 The China Navigation Company Turkish Ocean-going Masters’
Southfield Agencies The CSL Group Association
Sovcomflot The Dow Chemical Company Turkish Shipowners’ Association
Star Bulk Carriers Corp. The Merchant Navy Association Türkiye Denizciler Sendikası
Stealth Maritime The Mission to Seafarers (Seafarers’ Union of Turkey)
Stella Maris The Nautical Institute U
Stella Maris - Catholic Diocese of The Nautical Institute - US Gulf U Ming Marine Transport
Beaumont, Texas USA Branch UK Chamber of Shipping
Stella Maris - Manila The Nautical Institute of Ukraine UK Club
STELLA MARIS Rio de Janeiro The Naval Connection Ultranav
Stella Maris Scalabrinian Network The Shipping Corporation of India Uni- Tankers
Stena Bulk

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Signatories

Unibaltic Shipping World Marine Offshore

Unicrew Management
X
Unifeeder
X-Press Feeders
Unilever
Xiamen Hailong Manning Service
Unisea Philippines
XT Management
Unisea Shipping
Uniteam Marine Limited Y
United European Car Carriers YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY
United Offshore Support YDK Technologies
Ushio Reinetsu Yokogawa Electric Corporation
Utkilen Z
V Zeaborn Ship Management
V. Group ZIM Integrated Shipping Services
Vale Z-Mariner
Van Ameyde McAuslands Zodiac Maritime
Vanmar Shipping
Vento Shipping
Viridian Maritime
Vitol
Vortexa
Vroon

W
Wah Kwong Maritime Transport
Holdings Limited
Wallem Group
Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Wan Hai Lines
WaterFront Maritime Services DMCC
Wesmans
Western Shipping
Wilhelmsen Ahrenkiel Ship
Management
Wilhelmsen Ship Management
Windward
Wisby Shipmanagement
WISTA International
WISTA USA
World Economic Forum
World Fuel Services Corporation

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