The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is assisting hundreds of seafarers currently stranded on board six Global Cruise Lines managed cruise ships in the UK.
Five ships are lying idle at Tilbury and the sixth is at Bristol (Avonmouth) –
(see ICSI News, 27th June).
The seafarers have been stuck on board the CMV operated ships for several months, due to the global travel restrictions brought about by the global pandemic.
Many are now faced with expired contracts after spending more than 12 months on the ships, which has alerted the UK’s Maritime & Coastal Agency, which issued detention notices.
This week, the ITF and Global Cruise Lines reached an agreement that will see the crew continue to be repatriated over the coming days.
Christian Verhounig, Global Cruise Lines CEO, said: “We appreciate the good relations we have with the ITF and the support they are providing in these difficult times. Their involvement has greatly assisted us in speeding up the repatriation of all our valued crew members.”
Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, added: “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on the maritime industry, especially the cruise industry. The ITF recognises that this company is a victim of these circumstances.
“The crew of the vessels are of many nationalities and we appreciate the continuing efforts of the company to arrange repatriations. We look forward to Global Cruise Lines returning to normal operations and to continuing the long-standing relationship with them,” he said.
