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Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to the comments made surrounding access to crew during the port call of MV Metis Leader in October.

The aforementioned comments and version of events are not correct. Wilhelmsen’s agency team handled this port call as they would any other, professionally, efficiently, and with the health and welfare of the crew of paramount importance. Crew access, vessel boarding and the communication supporting both was clear and timely. Upon ITFs request to board the vessel, our ships agency colleagues contacted the Master on the vessel, as is standard, who immediately approved ITF to board the vessel. In line with Port Authority security requirements, the names of the ITF representatives were then forwarded to the port in order for them to gain quick access to the port. In parallel with these arrangements the ITF were informed that in line with COVID-19 precautions, to minimise the frequency and number of personnel boarding NYK vessels our staff would not be accompanying the ITF representatives boarding the vessel. We were also actively working with AMSA throughout the entire process.