Maritime Supply Chains Protected by New National Maritime Policies

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of resilient maritime policies in mitigating supply chain disruptions and fostering environmental responsibility, according to a new ITF report.

As the world recovers from the pandemic, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) emphasizes the need for governments to adopt strong national maritime policies to ensure stable supply chains and address climate challenges.

The report, titled Opportunities for Seafarers and National Maritime Policies: Navigating Beyond the Pandemic Chaos, explores the pandemic’s impact on global supply chains and offers practical solutions for governments to protect their citizens and the environment.

Chris Given, Secretary-Treasurer of the Seafarers' International Union of Canada (SIU Canada) and co-author of the report, explained that countries with well-established national maritime policies were better equipped to recover. These nations quickly secured essential supplies, such as medicines and fuel, for their citizens.

"During the pandemic, many countries experienced shortages of critical goods like medicines and fuel," Given said. "However, nations with robust maritime policies were able to use their strategies to get people supplied and fuelled, enabling faster economic and health recovery."

The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, with shipping containers scattered worldwide and ports experiencing severe congestion. These issues caused shortages of essential goods and increased the strain on overextended supply networks. At the same time, travel restrictions left up to 400,000 seafarers stranded aboard vessels, compounding the crisis.

The report highlights that countries with sustainable maritime policies were better positioned to weather the crisis, while those without such frameworks faced significant economic and social risks. For example, Australia lacked key fleet planning, leaving businesses and consumers at the mercy of an unpredictable global shipping market.

David Heindel, ITF Seafarers' Section Chair and President of the Seafarers International Union of North America (SIU), stressed that strong national maritime policies act as a safeguard for a country’s economic, health, security, and environmental interests. The report spotlights recent efforts by nations such as Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, South Africa, the UK, and the USA to bolster maritime policies through domestic legislation and planning.

"The standout performance of our domestic shipping sectors, not just in the U.S. but elsewhere during these crises, shows that when you invest in your people, infrastructure, and industry, you are better equipped to support your citizens regardless of global headwinds," Heindel said. "Our story is a success, but there is still more to do, with more governments needing to back this critical sector worldwide."

As the shipping industry moves toward rapid decarbonization, ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith emphasized the importance of investing in seafarer training and retraining to handle future fuels and ships. By 2030, up to 800,000 seafarers will require some form of retraining or upskilling. Smith urged governments to implement sustainable national maritime policies.

"Now is the time for governments to invest in a resilient future by adopting sustainable national maritime policies. It’s not only for our people but also for our planet," Smith stated.