The Liberian Registry has become the first ship registry to sign onto the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change.
The Liberian Registry joins over 300 owners, operators, and maritime organisations in this worldwide call to action to end the unprecedented crew change crisis caused by COVID-19.
“I am very proud to have the Liberian Registry join as signatory to the Neptune Declaration. It is an honour for us to sign, and we pledge to continue our efforts in facilitating crew changes aboard our 4,600 vessels around the globe,” said Alfonso Castillero, Chief Operating Officer of the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR).
“COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges, and we have been fighting for the facilitation of crew changes since the early days of the pandemic, working closely with industry bodies such as ICS and ITF, port and coastal States, and with the owners and operators of Liberian flagged vessels.”
In signing on the Neptune Declaration, the Liberian Registry pledges to continue the fight to recognise seafarers as key-workers and give them priority access to Covid-19 vaccines; to establish and implement gold standard health protocols based on existing best practices; increase collaboration between industry stakeholders to facilitate crew changes; and to ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs.
“There is so much more work to be done to solve this crisis, and we will continue to work day and night in support of this along with the other partner signatories of this very important declaration,” Castillero added.
