This panel acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious crisis for the shipping industry. Ships are being denied of services such as survey and certification, while crew and passengers are denied port access for me dical treatment and repatriation. The panellists called for an improvement of the global governance framework of international shipping, in particular under the IMO, and more cooperation not only between States but also between different government agencies and between governments and the shipping industry. On the other hand, COVID-19 offers an opportunity for digitalisation and automation of services and transformation of the maritime workforce. The panellists also addressed humanitarian concerns arising at this time, including the right of seafarers and ship passengers to port access for medical care and other needs.

Moderator: Prof Tommy Koh, Panellists: Prof Robert Beckman (CIL), Mr Simon Bennett (ICS), Ms Quah Ley Hoon (MPA) and Prof Koji Sekimizu (Secretary-General Emeritus of IMO).

Recorded live on Zoom on 3 June 2020.