Neptune Declaration:
The Maritime body MUI urged the government to take cognizance of the” Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change” in order to formulate the Maritime India Vision 2030.
- The “Maritime India Vision 2030” will be formulated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India.
Neptune Declaration:
- The Neptune Declaration was signed by more than 450 organizations.
- The declaration highlights the main actions that are required to be taken in order to resolve the crew change crisis.
- The daily lives and wellbeing of seafarers were highly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- It led to a humanitarian crisis at sea.
- This declaration has mentioned four main actions that is needful to address the crew change crisis:
- To recognize the seafarers as the key workers and provide them priority access to Covid-19 vaccines.
- To establish and implement the gold standard health protocols which are based on the existing best practice.
- To increase the collaboration between the ship operators and charterers so as to facilitate the crew changes.
- To ensure the air connectivity between the key maritime hubs for seafarers.
Maritime Union of India (MUI):
- The Marine Union of India is the oldest marine office. It represents the Merchant Navy Officers who are its members.
- The office is affiliated with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), London, United Kingdom.
- It has around 700 unions that represent over 4.5 million transport workers from150 countries.
- The office is also affiliated with the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), New Delhi.
