Singapore is one of the nations that is working to support the effort to facilitate crew changes both due to the humanitarian needs as well as those of the shipping companies. Local authorities have been assisting with a range of efforts including charter flights, and developing a new safety protocol, as designed to support the crew change initiatives.  Since March, more than 4,000 cases of crew sign-on and sign-off for over 300 companies have been approved for Singapore. Organized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) working with other government agencies, unions, and the shipping industry this had included more than 500 vessels ranging from tankers to bulk carriers, container ships, and offshore vessels.