V.Group repatriates over 7,000 seafarers, crew change number one issue

V.Group repatriates over 7,000 seafarers, crew change number one issue
Marcus Hand | Jun 12, 2020 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/vgroup-repatriates-ove...

Ship management group V.Group has managed to repatriate over 7,000 seafarers in the last three months but says that crew change remains the number one challenge facing the maritime industry

Despite restrictions on travel and a lack of commercial air flights due to measures by governments across the globe to try and stem the Covid-19 pandemic V.Group has successfully repatriated 7,315 seafarers since 17 March. The seafarers comprised 89 nationalities and were moved from 662 vessels.

V.Group is part of the Crew Change Project steering group along with Wilhelmsen, Synergy, PTC, Magsaysay and Inchcape.

Allan Falkenberg, group managing director, Crew Management at Group, said: “Our global network means we have been able to work collaboratively across our network of offices to facilitate repatriations. We continue to work around the clock to repatriate as many seafarers as possible but there is a long way to go.

“Crew change remains the number one challenge facing the maritime industry during this crisis and it is essential we find a solution. The situation is quickly reaching breaking point with seafarers either unable to get home to support their families at an extremely difficult and stressful time or unable to get onto ships and begin working.”