Georgia strives to become regional hub for repatriation of seafarers

Georgia is ready to perform the function of a transit country in the process of the repatriation of seafarers starting June 15, announces the Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava.

Turnava said that Georgia has taken into account the guidelines and requirements of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), which, despite the strict safety standards, greatly simplifies the process of moving seafarers across the country. Special rules have been developed for the admission into and departure of seafarers from the country and transfer them to quarantine space.

Following the requirements of the IMO and the WHO, Georgia designated seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, offshore energy sector personnel, regardless of nationality when in their jurisdiction, as 'key workers' providing an essential service. 

Georgia has a favourable geographical location. Given the low and strictly controlled epidemiological situation in the country against the background of the global pandemic, our readiness to become a transit country for seafarers will be of interest to international shipowners as the rotation of seafarers remains an important challenge", said Turnava.

There are about 1.2 million seafarers in the world who serve on 65,000 ships. The replacement of crews has been suspended for the last two months. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 300,000 sailors need to be rotated today, whose health and safety is 'under risk and inaction will affect the timely shipment of vital goods'. 

The process of changing the crew will be organised and coordinated by the Maritime Transport Agency.

Turnava said seafarers are persons with a low level of risk, because due to the coronavirus pandemic, their contact with land has been limited. She noted that a facilitated procedure does not mean easing the security standards.

The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia has already assisted more than 600 sailors. We used the 'green corridors' with different countries for the timely return of sailors to their homeland",  Turnava stated.

She also added that stimulation of the rotation of Georgian sailors, several vessels were exempt from the fee for entering the ports of Georgia, when this entrance was only to change the crew.