A study on the effects of COVID–19 pandemic on Nigerian seafarers

Abstract

There is no doubt that Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted negatively on global shipping and the effects are also being felt in the Nigerian shipping industry. Through review of extant literature, the effects of COVID-19 on Nigerian shipping industry with specific focus on port operations and Nigerian seafarers were examined. The findings revealed that lock down of the economy and restriction of movements in Nigeria presented a challenging situation for stakeholders in the shipping industry to fulfill their contractual obligations, import and export operations are hampered , Nigerian seafarers are mentally and psychologically disturbed as a result of lack of social support and extension of contract beyond the agreed contractual term with exhausting workload onboard with little or no support from the management who are more concerned about contract execution than the welfare of the crew onboard. However, it was recommended that living and working conditions of Nigerian seafarers onboard in this pandemic era should be given utmost attention by applying practical and pragmatic approach on issues bordering on facilitation of crew change, resupply, repairs, survey and certification and licensing of seafarers.