SOS to earmark over $1.5m for crew change support

This will be used to defray costs for seafarers staying at the Seacare Hotel.

Maritime trade union Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) will be setting aside more than $1.5m to support safe crew changes and the shipping companies according to an announcement.

This will be used to help defray the cost of accommodation and meals for seafarers staying at the Seacare Hotel, one of the two facilities designated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to accommodate crew members unable to transfer directly to their vessel or flight. The hotel will be able to take in crew members starting 2 July.

SOS said that shipping companies participating in the Seacare Sailors’ Home Scheme (SSS) can utilise the e-vouchers to redeem full board accommodation at the Seacare Hotel. They will also double the e-voucher entitlements of each qualified shipping company during this period.

Further, the organisation will sponsor three daily crew meals for shipping companies that do not have collective bargaining agreements.

As of 17 June, SOS notes there are more than 100 shipping companies with valid SOS collective bargaining agreements, with the majority participating in the Seacare Sailors’ Home Scheme.

SOS president Kam Soon Huat urges shipping companies to expedite crew changes and use the opportunity to utilise the SSS e-vouchers at the Seacare Hotel to accommodate the seafarers.