The UK Chamber of Shipping spoke with the Maritime Minister
Kelly Tolhurst today (17 March) and demanded an immediate multi-million pound
government support package to ensure the shipping industry can continue to
bring in the food, goods and medicines the UK will need to fight the
coronavirus.
After the conference
call, UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive Bob Sanguinetti said:
“The world is facing a monumental crisis. Shipping is the
lifeblood of our nation and we must do what we can as an industry to keep our
supply lines open for a strong and healthy UK. Shipowners will adapt to meet
the ongoing coronavirus challenges head on. It will mean changes to
infrastructure, employment and processes on ships and in ports, but it will
only succeed with the necessary leadership and support from government today.’
“We recognise we are living in unprecedented times and we
strongly urge the government to set up an emergency relief fund to help the
industry in the coming weeks and months. The UK shipping sector moves 95% of
our trade and employs over 180,000 people. Immediate and ongoing financial
support from the government is needed to guarantee the importation of essential
medical supplies, food, manufacturing components and other goods, and the
future prospects of our seafarers.”
To keep freight moving and to enable the UK to continue to
function, the UK Chamber of Shipping is specifically asking for:
A multi-million pound
fund for:
- Help with hugely reduced cash flows resulting
from dramatic loss of business, to keep freight flowing into the country; - Support with seafarers’ salaries in the short
term to prevent job losses and loss of expertise; - Grants to assist with the additional costs of
virus provisions which operators have put in place; - Grants to deal increased costs such as overtime,
agency fees and any other cost associated with providing sufficient crew.
Clear guidance to
ports and local health authorities to allow ships to continue trading, and for
the swift disembarkation / repatriation of crew members
Delays on VAT
payments
The use of credit
notes for future travel in lieu of refunding deposits
Relief from income
tax for seafarers onboard vessels which ordinarily spend over 183 days a year
outside the country
Ships laid up in UK
ports to continue to receive tax and duty relief for standard supplies
Assistance with the
safe return of UK cruise passengers from around the world
Sea News, March 20
