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Shipping companies assisting a large number of seafarers worldwide can book rooms at discounted prices for those who are quarantined or on standby while contributing to trade during the pandemic.

The global coronavirus outbreak has interrupted the operations of many industries in the country. However, a large number of seafarers are ensuring uninterrupted trade during the crisis. To support the community with access to lodging during sign on / sign off from ships, FabHotels, India’s fastest growing budget hotel brand, has collaborated with UK-based NGO ISWAN (the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network). Through the association, the leading hospitality brand will offer accommodation facilities to shipping companies directly assisting the seafarers worldwide at discounted rates.

ISWAN is an international NGO and registered charity that provides welfare support to seafarers and their families worldwide and provides them financial grants through the Seafarers Emergency Fund. During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the NGO is financially supporting a large number of seafarers who have been stranded overseas or are stuck in their home country, by helping them with their medical and essential livelihood needs. FabHotels have teamed up with them to offer their accommodation facilities to the seafarers at reduced prices and share the burden with the shipping companies they are associated with. Under the agreement, a portion of every room booking shall be contributed into Seafarers Emergency Fund (SEF), which is supporting seafarers facing severe hardship worldwide by looking after their essential needs such as rents, meals and medical treatment costs.

Commenting on this collaboration, spokesperson FabHotels said: ‘The world is fighting a full-fledged war against COVID-19. While each one of us is contributing by staying inside our homes to maintain social distancing, there are frontline warriors like seafarers who are venturing out of their homes to carry on the sea trade and keep the economy running. Recognising their significant contributions during the global pandemic, FabHotels has teamed up with ISWAN to share the financial burden of shipping companies assisting the seafarers worldwide and take charge of providing them accommodation facilities at cheaper rates.’