SIMIC

CrewSafe is the creation of the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund Task Force (SFTF), which was established by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officer's Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) and later joined by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), the International Maritime Employers' Council (IMEC) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

The programme is based on Singapore's crew change model to establish safe crew change corridors.

"DNV is fully supporting and facilitating this programme as seafarers are the true backbone of our global industry. Seafarers need to be fully recognised as key workers, and CrewSafe is one such programme assisting crew source nations and fostering a higher level of confidence and quality control checks in the crew change processes," said DNV Maritime CEO Knut Orbeck-Nilssen.

"The ongoing crew change crisis shows that international problems need international solutions. CrewSafe is one such initiative DNV is rightly proud to be assisting," said Mr Orbeck-Nilssen.

Said MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon: "Singapore takes its responsibility to facilitate safe crew change seriously. We are pleased to welcome DNV on board due to its renowned quality audits and look forward to working with our tripartite partners in ensuring facilities remain safe for crew change amid the pandemic."

Said SSA executive director Michael Phoon: "Many governments around the world are restricting travels to prevent Covid infections in the community. To provide assurance to all crew change stakeholders and facilitate safe crew change, the SG-STAR Fund Task Force initiated the CrewSafe program. We are glad to have the support of DNV to conduct stringent audit checks on holding and medical facilities to ensure that the necessary quarantine and testing requirements can be fully met."