The worsening public health situation in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic is now also directly affecting global shipping.
For instance, two international shipping and maritime hubs, Singapore and the UAE, have now suspended crew transfers at their ports for vessels arriving from India.
Another “specter” on the horizon is the massive scope of expansion of the so-called “Indian” strain of the virus, and the rate of vaccination for merchant seamen, a combination that risks keeping numerous vessels anchored around the world.
According to Rajesh Unni, the CEO of India-based Synergy Marine, the Covid-19 strain now plaguing India is a “recipe for disaster” for shipping, given its rapid transmission rates aboard vessels. He warned that without a vaccination program many vessels would be idle for at least two weeks.
On a national level, governments have still not prioritized the vaccination of merchant seamen, excluding Belgium and India.
Based on the latest information, Indian seamen will be vaccinated at the Mumbai Port Trust Hospital, while on-board “jabs” were announced by the Union of Belgium Shipowners.
Another problem is that the vast majority of lower crew members hail from countries where the vaccination programs are moving at slow rates.
According to Lloyds List, the International Maritime Employers’ Council, in cooperation with other international organizations, are moving quickly to offer mass testing in Manila to Filipino merchant seamen – possibly the biggest group of crew members worldwide. Another initiative involves a plan to offer mass vaccinations with the Covax line.
