The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is part of a COVID-19 Industry Group which has collaborated with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) to develop a preliminary list of recommendations for Governments and relevant national authorities on the facilitation of maritime trade during the pandemic.

This COVID-19 Pandemic Industry Group comprises a broad cross section of global industry associations with consultative status at IMO representing the maritime transportation sector: ICS, BIMCO, CLIA, FONASBA, IACS, IAPH, IMCA, IMEC, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY, INTERMANAGER, INTERTANKO, IPTA, ITF, P&I Clubs and WSC (plus ASA and ECSA).

In publishing the Industry’s recommendations as an IMO Circular (Circular Letter No.4204/Add.6), the Secretary General of the IMO, Mr Kitack Lim, referred to the outcome of the G20 Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19 held on 26 March addressing International Trade Disruption.

The Industry Group’s initial recommendations cover the following areas:

• Providing access to berths in ports
• Measures to facilitate crew changes in ports
• Measures to facilitate port (and related) operations
• Measures to ensure health protection in ports

And Mr. Lim has invited Member States and international organizations to make use of the recommendations, as appropriate.

Margaret Fitzgerald, Head of Marine Policy & Regulatory Affairs at IMCA

Margaret Fitzgerald, Head of Marine Policy & Regulatory Affairs at IMCA stated

“These are unprecedented times for our industry and so being able to collaborate with representatives from leading industry groups in developing these recommendations to all IMO Governments ensures that our Members’ concerns are represented at the highest level and demonstrates IMCA’s value at such a critical time.”

Full details of the recommendations can be found on the Association’s website here.