ICS launches health emergency guide

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  • ICS Publications has launched the Global Health Emergency Guide for the shipping industry
  • The guide is a comprehensive resource designed to aid shipping companies and crew during global health emergencies
  • It draws on critical lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and other global health emergencies that have impacted shipping operations
  • The guide sets out a step-by-step plan that can be implemented within a company’s safety management system and incorporated into their crisis management plan
  • The goal is to provide a roadmap that will help safeguard the health and wellbeing of seafarers and ensure operational continuity in the face of global health threats

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has launched the Global Health Emergency Guide publication designed to aid shipping companies and crew during global health emergencies.

The guide draws on critical lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and other global health emergencies that have significantly impacted shipping operations.

It sets out a step-by-step action plan that can be seamlessly implemented within a company’s safety management system (SMS) and incorporated into their crisis management plan (CMP).

“The Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the maritime industry, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive health emergency preparedness,” said Guy Platten, ICS secretary general, in a press release.

“This guide reflects on the industry’s collective response to the pandemic, incorporating best practices and lessons learned to better equip companies and crews for future health crises. Our goal is to provide a roadmap that will help safeguard the health and wellbeing of seafarers and ensure operational continuity in the face of global health threats,” Platten added.

The guide features extensive insights from global agencies, shipping companies, crews, medical professionals, and welfare organizations. These combined perspectives ensure companies are well-equipped to prepare for, act on, and recover from global health emergencies, thereby maintaining operational continuity and safeguarding the wellbeing of their crews, ICS said.

The guide includes:

• Roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders;

• Seafarer health and wellness, including mental health support;

• Strategies to reduce the risk of an outbreak on board;

• Crew change protocols for both crewing managers and seafarers;

• Procedures for managing outbreaks in port and at sea;

• Access to medical care on board and at port;

• Emergency communications planning;

• Re-assessing protocols and implementing lessons learned post-emergency; and

• Maintaining compliance with international regulations, including the WHO International Health Regulations 2005, the ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006, and the FAL Convention.

Each section of the guide is supported by a toolkit containing over 30 checklists, posters, templates, and forms.

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