Some movement on much-needed ship crew changes

THERE are some grounds for cautious optimism that the logistical crisis that has seen many seafarers stuck on their ships for far longer than they should have been is starting to ease. One sign of this is that the number of crew repatriated to the Philippines is increasing.

Singapore-based Sharp Crew Management reports that it has taken part in the successful repatriation of more than 8,000 cruise industry crew members from throughout the world.

Managing director Roger Storey says: "Over the past seven weeks we have repatriated more than 8,000 crew from Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises - thanks to the provision of 13 full charter flights and two commercial flights. Needless to say, this mass repatriation has not been an easy task to accomplish!"