Stranded, Exhausted Sailors Seen Adding to Risk of Oil Spills

The mental strains on ship crews stranded at sea by the pandemic are adding to the risk of oil spills and vessel crashes, according to an industry group that promotes the safe transport of oil and gas.

Covid-19 has led to as many as 300,000 crew members being stuck on ships for months on end because of government restrictions preventing sailors to return to shore in multiple countries around the world.

Now, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum, a 50-year-old industry group that includes some of the world’s largest energy firms, is warning that this is creating the conditions for ...