The impact of the outbreak of the
coronavirus is estimated to be costing the shipping industry USD 350 million a
week in lost revenues, according to the International Chamber of Shipping
(ICS).
coronavirus is estimated to be costing the shipping industry USD 350 million a
week in lost revenues, according to the International Chamber of Shipping
(ICS).
The virus outbreak is having a
significant impact on the shipping sector and the industry is working closely
with the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that guidelines for industry
and governments help limit the spread of the virus, whilst maintaining
international trade.
significant impact on the shipping sector and the industry is working closely
with the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that guidelines for industry
and governments help limit the spread of the virus, whilst maintaining
international trade.
The World Maritime News reports that as such, the ICS Secretary
General, Guy Platten, is leading a delegation of industry leaders to meet with
WHO in Geneva and discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
General, Guy Platten, is leading a delegation of industry leaders to meet with
WHO in Geneva and discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the industry.
ICS estimates that more than
350,000 boxes have been removed from global trade as a result of the outbreak.
350,000 boxes have been removed from global trade as a result of the outbreak.
As informed, global supply chains
continue to suffer, and issues remain around the quarantining of ships at
ports, crew changes, and ensuring the health of seafarers and passengers.
continue to suffer, and issues remain around the quarantining of ships at
ports, crew changes, and ensuring the health of seafarers and passengers.
“We have proposed a collaboration
with WHO to evaluate and refine best practices regarding managing health
threats in a shipboard environment. The cruise industry, in particular, has
highly advanced practices and procedures and we are looking for practical ways
to adapt those to broader maritime applications.
with WHO to evaluate and refine best practices regarding managing health
threats in a shipboard environment. The cruise industry, in particular, has
highly advanced practices and procedures and we are looking for practical ways
to adapt those to broader maritime applications.
“We hope this effort will help
provide some additional clarity and consistency for shoreside authorities when
addressing ships during a health emergency,” Platten said.
provide some additional clarity and consistency for shoreside authorities when
addressing ships during a health emergency,” Platten said.
“Our thoughts are especially with
the Chinese people and the maritime industry is standing ready to be a powerful
engine that helps them recover when this situation improves.”
the Chinese people and the maritime industry is standing ready to be a powerful
engine that helps them recover when this situation improves.”
ICS has been advising all members
to closely follow the WHO-backed guidelines on how to limit the risk of
infection.
to closely follow the WHO-backed guidelines on how to limit the risk of
infection.
