Singapore Prepared To Donate 12,000 Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccines To International Seafarers

Singapore has reportedly spoken about delivering at least 12,000 vaccination doses to international seafarers in the next phase of its vaccination scheme. Per Seatrade Maritime News, in August, the country had begun inoculating non-resident seafarers via the Sea Crew Vaccination Initiative.

So far, over 8,000 non-Singaporean crew members have received at least a dose in the Republic. On the other hand, 90 percent have been completely vaccinated.

It said these comprised about 5,200 resident members of the crew working in harbor waters and 2,800 non-resident crew members

Per Sea Vaccination (SeaVax), international seafarers can now be vaccinated easily. They will be able to receive a dose of Moderna while going for a crew change in Singapore waters or while on vessels call at a port. The vaccine’s first, second, and booster doses are available. The cost is borne fully by the maritime industry.

Kitack Lim, IMO’s Secretary-General, said that he is delighted to hear the extension of the scheme to make at least 12,000 doses available to vaccinate crew members on ocean ships.

While vaccinating international seafarers is increasing in several states in Europe, the US, Asian nations have consistently been slow in following the trend.

Authorities have said that the country is capable of providing more than 12,000 doses of vaccine if it experiences demand from the seafarers and shipping lines.

The vaccination program is conducted by the Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience Taskforce spearheaded by the Singapore Shipping Association.

Singapore’s crew change program continues and is expected that 200,000 crew exchanges will soon be facilitated by end of December from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Now, the number is close to 190,000.