The effect of covid-19 pandemic on the maritime industry and the role of the ship registries

Saviolakis, P.; Pazarzis, M.

Objectives: The current paper focuses on the impact of the unexpected event of the Covid-19 pandemic on the maritime industry. It searches the role adopted by key stakeholders of the shipping community with particular emphasis on the Ship Registries. Methods/Analysis: In order to conduct the research, there has been a thorough investigation concerning the initiatives taken by both governmental and private sector entities. Regulations and announcements issued to handle the Covid-19 pandemic are analysed and properly assessed. Findings: The response of the shipping sector, including the Ship Registries, was decisive and covered numerous aspects of maritime activity. Some of these actions taken can only be regarded as a temporary reply of the maritime industry to the threats imposed by the disease. At the same time, a significant part of these initiatives have a more permanent character and their acceptance by the maritime industry underlines their future potential. In this case, the appearance of the random event of the Covid-19 disease acted as a catalyst for developments in the shipping sector. Novelty/Improvement: This study is expected to contribute to the scientific orientation concerning the reaction towards the impact of future unexpected events with particular emphasis on the role of the Ship Registries. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee ESJ, Italy.