Katy Ware, who is also the UK’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, says the industry should be assured that the MCA will do all it can to help during the current hashtag#COVID-19 pandemic. Survey and inspection activity of ships is currently suspended, however the MCA has put in place a number of measures to make sure shipping of freight and other vital lifelines will continue.

Katy, who like most of the MCA, other than emergency response teams, is now working from home said: ‘We’re living in exceptionally challenging circumstances. None of us could’ve foreseen this and at the moment, we can’t see a definite end. Now, more than ever, it becomes critical that we work with industry and seafarers who will be bringing in so much of what we need to get us through these next few weeks, even months. ‘While we can’t compromise on safety, there are a number of temporary measures we have and are taking to ensure shipping doesn’t come to a standstill and seafarers can keep working.’

Links to the full guidance can be found here