The relevance of carrying out marine warranty surveys (MWS) as mandatory insurable practice in mitigating associated operational risks within the offshore oil and gas industry, during the Covid-19 crises, was examined against the potential health risk and the various Covid-19 restrictions resulting from newly formed regulations. The health risk concerns to the surveyor and the impact of the Covid-19 policy restrictions for the surveyor’s business measured are against the risk of excluding MWS in assessing the suitability of procedures, analyses, and vessels involved in typical offshore marine operations. The purpose of any MWS undertakings ensures that all risks in operations, with potential to destroy property, life, and environment, are minimized—if not eliminated. A series of remote interviews across Africa and direct field observations were respectively conducted at the Takoradi port to develop an understanding of the MWS service product, to ascertain the conditions resulting from current challenges, and to determine contingencies and innovations to ensure full service. The study finds MWS service as paramount to the energy industry with its range of risk control checks for high-value assets and operations. Surveyors demonstrated high-levels of awareness for Covid-19 crises and regulatory policies while in adherence but noted challenges of high-cost and delays as by-products of the restrictions. Surveyors deemed site attendances as crucial in their practice at all time, though recognized the several social and technologically innovative approaches adopted industry-wide to facing the pandemic. The study highlights the need for ‘essential worker’ status and the introduction of innovative insurance packages. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40152-021-00220-7.
In this paper, three steps are made. First, an effort is made to show a consequential effect of maritime insecurity on seafarers and marine professionals; they are at risk of a complicated string of processes that impact their lives. Second, there is the risk to the environment and property. Third, the economic cost of traditional maritime crimes is examined against the potential maritime trade expansion from implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Third, the policy and regulatory measures implemented in the region against piracy are assessed to propose additional measures for improvement. Essentially, the study deploys a case study approach with a three-year field observation over the Gulf of Guinea region and is supported by outcomes of various remote interviews, in addition to online surveys conducted over three months—findings are juxtaposed with the estimated cost of piracy and potential implications for policies driving economic advancement. The results showed inadequate maritime surveillance despite enormous legal frameworks amidst the current structures of regional and international corporations. The piracy cost is high and inevitable as a factor of insurance coverage passed onto end consumers. Response to piracy has been reactionary rather than proactive, as attacks have continued in territorial and offshore areas into 2021. The impact will be visible on AfCFTA post-COVID-19. The study highlights the need for a community-based approach to surveillance modelled after the community policing model currently implemented in Ghana.
Despite the "Key Worker" status of seafarers in moments of demonstrable selflessnessensuring an adequate supply of food, medicines, consumables such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), and energy-there is a lack of genuine interest in their concerns, leading to various calls from major stakeholders such as the United Nations (UN) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) associated with COVID-19-related policies and regulations impacting the wellbeing of marine professionals and crews. Thus, to what extent are nontraditional seafaring nations of Africa impacted The study examines concerns identifying and investigating: implemented COVID-19 policies and regulations, their impact on maritime operations and crew 'wellbeing'; contingency measures and innovations aiding mitigate responses for minimal challenges to seafarers and marine professionals. The case study approach focuses on West Africa's maritime corridor, examining operations in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, and Angola to a host of varied ports and offshore installation operations. Direct field observations, survey questionnaires, and interviews of expert or 'eyewitness' accounts deployed via phone calls, online social media, and emails were carried out. The study finds that the international labor convention (MLC 2006
Despite the ‘Key Worker’ status accorded seafarers in moments of demonstrable selflessness -ensuring, adequate supply of food, medicines, consumables like personal protective equipment (PPEs), and energy - there is a lack of genuine interest in their concerns, leading to various calls from major stakeholders such as the United Nations and International Maritime Organization. These calls associate- with various covid-19-related policies and regulations having a direct bearing on the ongoing crew change crises, maroon and overstay of contracts, poor mental health, rise in covid-19 infections and other unrelated illnesses among ship crew. Thus, to what extent are non-traditional seafaring nations of Africa being impacted? The study examines these concerns by identifying and investigating implemented covid-19 policies and regulations and their impact on maritime operations and crew ‘wellbeing;’ the contingency measures and innovations aiding mitigate responses with minimal challenges to seafarers and marine professionals. The case study approach focuses on West Africa’s maritime corridor, examining operations in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria and Angola to a host of varied ports and offshore installations operations. Direct field observations, as well as questionnaires and interviews of expert or ‘eye witness’ account, deployed via phone calls, online social media and emails are carried out. The study finds MLC 2006 was not been complied with. Embarkation quarantine measures and testing implemented for offshore Ghana and Angola could not prevent the outbreak of cases onboard FPSO units respectively, though the process identified positive cases during quarantine. The stigma associated with positive cases amongst the crew were prevalent in the first six months of pandemic declaration. Of the survey conducted amongst 71 vessel crew, 32.14% were certain of having recorded Covid-19 positive cases on their various Jobsites, 91.06% showed support for IMO-led interventions against covid-19, 30% complained of uncertainty spared by rumours as fueling poor mental health. However, only 19% willingly addressed issues of their proximity to covid-19. Vaccine inoculations upon commencing March 2021 remained low in the region amongst marine professionals. Mitigating measures implemented include increased internet and call access, and extensive boarding protocols. In conclusion, lessons learnt within these periods of history going forward should inform the need for a comprehensively developed global emergency response contingency regulatory plan that identifies various potential threats, establishes adequate measures and make adjustment for review and amendments –to be instated only in times of global emergencies.
While the relevance of carrying out Marine Warranty Surveys (MWS) as a mandatory insurable practice towards mitigating associated operational risks within the offshore oil and gas industry in Africa through the 2020 Covid-19 crises, examined against the potential health risk and risks associated with various Covid-19 restrictions; remain central to understanding the impact of Covid-19 on the work and live of marine warranty surveyors, who form part of pool of marine professionals risking their lives daily to ensure continuous supply of essential commodity like energy and food that reaches every part of the Globe. As Sackey et al, [1] examined in issue 20 of springer maritime studies, to better appreciate the challenges of Covid-19 to the live and work of these selfless individuals, essentially identified the various risk interface along the ‘flight path’ of the MWS’s working practice in relation to marine professional and seafarers overall, for which we examine the ‘three pillar challenge’ Keywords: health and safety of marine professionals; Covid-19 challenges; offshore operations amidst COVID; Africa’s marine and offshore industry and COVID.
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