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.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
ETC Report: Greece 3rd Most Popular Destination for Europeans
Italy and Spain are tied as the top destinations, each attracting 8% of travelers
Greece Battles EC to Protect Rice Industry and Public Health
Together with several other EU countries, Greece successfully blocked the European Commission's proposal to increase allowable levels of a banned pesticide commonly found in rice imported from southeast Asia
Eurostat: 3.2% Annual Inflation in Greece in April
The data shows that Greece ranks seventh in overall inflation within the eurozone and second in food inflation
Intrum’s 2024 Report Unveils Greek Businesses Embrace Digitalization for Growth
Looking ahead, over 40% of businesses prioritize development for 2024, with 65% recognizing the potential of digital business models as sustainable investments
IOBE: Mild Drop in April Business Confidence Index (BCI) in Greece
The positive balance of expectations for employment witnessed a marginal decline, while the index for production forecasts also recorded a mild drop
Greek PM Mitsotakis Calls on EU to Intervene Over Multinationals’ Pricing Policy
Speaking about price fairness, the Prime Minister emphasized, "Europe should also mean similar or uniform prices for the products sold by our multinational corporations.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 4% Decrease in EU, 0.3% Rise in Greece in Q4 2023
The EU's GDP remained stable with a marginal 0.2% increase in fourth quarter of 2023
HEREMA CEO: High Expectations from Natgas Exploration Off Crete
3D seismic surveys were conducted in the two offshore blocks west and southwest of Crete by a consortium comprised of ExxonMobil and HelleniQ Energy
EC Spring Forecast: Greek GDP at 2.2 in 2024, 2.3% in 2025
Besides Greek GDP inflation is expected to drop by a substantial 2.4% in 2024, settling at 2.8% from 4.2% in 2023 with 2025 recording a further decline to 2.1%
EBRD Raises Outlook for Greek GDP to 2.3% in 2024, 2.6% in 2025
Key downside risks remain, associated with possible delays in deploying Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds and weaknesses in key export markets and tourism source countries
