Marina Administrator Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said the country was an ideal place for crew change because its seafarer green lanes were operational and many ports would be opened for disembarkation. “We recommended to the Inter-Agency Task Force [for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] to make the country an international hub for crew change. The ship principals were coming here for crew change and it’s an opportunity to stimulate the economy,” Empedrad said at The Manila Times’ maritime forum on Tuesday. Marina is pushing for the Philippines as an international crew change hub, as it will do good for the economy,” Empedrad said. Patrick Ronas, president of the Association of International Shipping Lines Inc. said crew change required a global response.

Source: Manila Times August 25, 2020 16:18 UTC