Investors call for high-level action on humanitarian crisis at sea

Covid-19 strands 400,000 seafarers

Fidelity International is leading a group of 85 investors, managing assets worth over $2trn, calling on the United Nations to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis as 400,000 seafarers remain stranded at sea.

Several governments 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. According to International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), there are an estimated 400,000 seafarers (roughly 30% of the global seafarer population) trapped working aboard vessels, even though their contracts have ended, unable to be repatriated.  Many have been working for up to 17 months, much longer than the...