The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KNVR) is in talks with airline KLM, among others, to arrange for flights for seafarers to depart from Schiphol. Crew are now staying on board longer, and according to the KNVR there is a threat of inhumane and dangerous conditions on the ships.
Annet Koster, Director of the KVNR (picture), says this to Dutch radio station BNR. Sailors can hardly be relieved due to the coronavirus, and that is beginning to wear them down. The fear is that overtiredness will lead to mistakes.
That is why shipping companies want to create an airlift, with special flights for seafarers. They are to pick up crew from the ship and bring them home, KNVR director Annet Koster says. Schiphol would be a good location, because there are several large seaports nearby, including Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Eemshaven and Bremen. Many seafarers come from the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia and Indonesia.
Source: ANP
