May 2023

This document has been prepared based on the evidence currently available about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. The target audience of this documents is any authority involved in public health response to a COVID-19 public health event on board ships.

Joint statement in support of keeping ships moving, ports open and cross-border trade flowing during the covid-19 pandemic.

WHO Guide to Sanitation and Health Requirements for Shipbuilding and Operation. It concerns the harmonization of sanitary measures on ships, the protection of the health of travelers and employees, and the prevention of the spread of infection. It also describes the importance of maritime transport for public health in relation to the spread of disease and the importance of applying appropriate control measures.

The document describes guidelines, methods, ways and procedures during a pandemic on a cargo or fishing vessel. Pandemic management procedures are described. Guidelines on, among others: protection measures, dealing with infected persons, post-contact procedures, crew replacement and vaccinations were included.

An article on statistics and methods of providing remote assistance to seafarers by the Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (C.I.R.M.) in 2017-2020. Almost 16,000 cases have been published. The age, gender, degree and types of diseases of seafarers requiring assistance were taken into account. Typical symptoms of COVID-19 infection such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms were analyzed. It describes how the use of personal protective equipment, good environmental hygiene and other standard precautions can help minimize risk factors for the spread of infection.

This document provides tools to help shipowners, masters and seafarers cope with stressful situations and detect suicidal behaviour.Shipping companies should take a mental health emergency as seriously as a physical threat. A seafarer experiencing a mental health crisis feels helpless and is incapable of coping, especially during a pandemic.

The document outlines the plans and procedures that should be put in place to prepare the ship for shore-based personnel boarding and to protect seafarers from the dangers of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The IMO Document outlines the issues relevant to crews sailing during pandemi coronavirus (COVID-19).Travel restrictions imposed by governments around the world and limited access to vaccines have created significant obstacles to crew changes and repatriation of seafarers . This has humanitarian and security implications. The IMO has called on its member states to designate seafarers as key personnel to be able to travel between their ships of employment and their countries of residence.