15 December 2020 10:04 GMT Updated 15 December 2020 13:12 GMT
The holiday season is approaching fast for much of the world’s population and will be an opportunity for many to spend time with family and friends. But for thousands of seafarers, the ongoing crew-change crisis deprives them even of the hope of being home in time for the holidays.
Many governments have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by closing their borders and banning seafarers from coming ashore, even for medical treatment in some cases. These restrictions have led to many of the world’s seafarers becoming trapped working aboard cargo vessels well beyond the expiry of the initial contracts they signed up for.