COVID-19 Vaccine News
COVID-19 Vaccines News
COVID-19 has profoundly disrupted the lives of seafarers, fishers and their families. Vaccination is a key tool to stop the spread of the virus and allow the maritime world to continue to function. Thankfully, vaccination efforts for foreign seafarers are now found in an increasing number of ports around the world. For information on specific vaccination programs, see https://namma.org/vaccines/ and here https://icma.as/vaccines/.
In order to understand and encourage more of these vaccinations for seafarers programs worldwide, we share the below list of opinion pieces, policy statements, and news items. Please share additional news stories or write your questions to Dr. Jason Zuidema, Executive Director, NAMMA executivedirector@namma.org.
About NAMMA
With seafarers’ welfare provider members in more than 50 ports around North America, NAMMA’s mission is to support those in maritime ministry with professional development, fellowship, and advocacy: https://namma.org/
Australia
Details: Mon May 17 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: MUA calls for vaccination of all foreign seafarers calling at Australian ports
Phone: Jasmina Ovcina
Email: Offshore Energy
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: In an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading into the community, the New South Wales Ministry of Health plans to vaccinate a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports.The Maritime Union of Australia welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth. However, the union insists the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers.
Weblinks: https://www.offshore-energy.biz/mua-calls-for-vaccination-of-all-foreign-seafarers-calling-at-australian-ports/Details: July 7
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: AUSTRALIAN MARINERS’ WELFARE SOCIETY CALLS FOR SEAFARERS TO BE GIVEN ACCESS TO VACCINE
Phone: Ian Ackerman
Email: Daily Cargo News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: THE Australian Mariners’ Welfare Society is the latest local industry body to call for seafarers to be provided with access to COVID-19 vaccines.The organisation on Friday sent a letter to the secretary for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications saying that there is a critical need to ensure all seafarers are given the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19.In the letter, AMWS chair David Parmeter wrote seafarers can be considered a unique population with their own needs, constraints and requirements for international travel.
Weblinks: https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/staffing-crewing-and-training/australian-mariners-welfare-society-calls-for-seafarers-to-be-given-access-to-vaccine/Details: August 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Queensland: Australian-first COVID vaccinations for international seafarers
Phone: ITF
Email: Mirage
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Queensland will become the first Australian jurisdiction to administer COVID vaccines to all international seafarers arriving in local ports, with a trial program commencing in the coming weeks aimed at reducing the risk of serious illness and community transmission.
Weblinks: https://www.miragenews.com/queensland-australian-first-covid-vaccinations-621842/Details: 02-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Ports Australia urges governments to step up efforts to vaccinating international seafarers
Phone: Ports Australia
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Ports Australia is calling on governments around Australia to consider how they can contribute to increasing vaccination rates of international seafarers after Maritime Safety Queensland and QLD Health announced a trial program to begin in coming weeks.
Weblinks: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ports-australia-urges-governments-step-up-efforts-to-vaccinating-international-seafarers/Details: September 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Mission to Seafarers, NSW Ports & NSW Health collaborate to vaccinate crew
Phone: Rev Tay
Email: Shipping Australia Limited
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Sydney Mission To Seafarers, in collaboration with NSW Ports, has converted the mission bus (a Mitsubishi Rosa) to a Mobile Vaccination Station.The bus was stationed at the Bulk Liquids Berth, Terminal 1, and NSW Ports arranged with NSW Health for St George Hospital medical staff to administer AstraZeneca vaccine.There were 11 crew from the Inge Kosan who came to be vaccinated.
Weblinks: https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/mission-to-seafarers-nsw-ports-nsw-health-collaborate-to-vaccinate-crew/Details: October 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: In Conversation: Mission to Seafarers Newcastle Models Seafarer Vaccination Strategies
Phone: Abby williams
Email: Daily Cargo News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: FOLLOWING the vaccination of the Peruvian crew of a bulk carrier, Mission to Seafarers Newcastle is reviewing the outcomes of the vaccination process to set an example for similar procedures in other Australian ports. The 15 crewmembers were nearing 12 months on board the Wincanton, which had been sailing repeatedly between Newcastle and Gladstone during the pandemic. MTS Newcastle chaplain Matthew Couch told DCN the vaccine is the difference between the seafarers being stranded in Australia and returning home to Peru. In conversation with DCN, Mr Couch recalled the night the team administered the first doses with the help of a medically trained board member in hope that it may set a precedent for further vaccinations of international seafarers.
Weblinks: https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/bulk-trades-shipping/in-conversation-mission-to-seafarers-newcastle-models-seafarer-vaccination-strategies/Details: October 27
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinating Seafarers in Port Kembla
Email: TVBlueScope
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: On 27 October 2021, we had the chance to meet a number of seafarers at Port Kembla in Australia, who came ashore to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Facilitated by NSW Health and Mission to Seafarers Australia, we were pleased to support and record this initiative, which is extremely important to the seafarers, so that they may get home to visit their friends and families. This video features Colin Booth (Throughput Engineer, BlueScope) and John Kewa (Manager, Chaplain and Ship Welfare Course Instructor, Mission to Seafarers in Port Kembla), who is also Wollongong Citizen of the Year for 2021. Together, they speak about the importance of this effort and what it means to the seafarers.
Weblinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiAiucuqXoEDetails: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Isolated Seafarers Jabbed at Sea by Makeshift Clinics
Phone: Jane Goldsmith
Email: NBN News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: There were 10 new covid cases in the Hunter today, and while most freedoms have returned for the double jabbed, hundreds of seafarers remain stuck on ships off our coast.But there’s now a ray of hope for isolated crew members, with nurses from Hunter New England Health setting up makeshift vaccination clinics.
Weblinks: https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2021/11/22/isolated-seafarers-jabbed-at-sea-by-makeshift-clinics/Details: Feb 14, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination, Shore Leave
Contact: Push for international seafarers to access COVID-19 vaccines and be allowed to come ashore
Phone: Emily Bissland and Jeremy Lee
Email: ABC South West Vic
Additional Information: Inside the gates of Victoria's Port of Portland, out of public view, unfolds the plight of the international seamen who work aboard cargo ships importing and exporting goods around the world. The Ocean Jubilee has been loading wheat grain from Victoria's west for the past nine days. But its crew of 20 haven't set foot in the town or even in the port's Mission to Seafarers centre, a special respite room for international seamen. For the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers haven't been allowed off their ships any further than this long, empty gangway.
Weblinks: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-14/push-for-international-seafarers-shore-leave-covid-vaccinations/100813030Details: March 4, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination ship comes in for maritime workers
Weblinks: https://cathnews.com/cathnews/43509-vaccination-ship-comes-in-for-maritime-workersDetails: March 4, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: VACCINATION CAMPAIGN BY STELLA MARIS MELBOURNE
Phone: Roslyn Rajasingam
Email: Stella Maris
Additional Information: On 26 February, Saturday evening at around 9.00 pm, Lee-Anne Diano (Manager), Seamus Quinn (President) and June Villadolid (Ship Visitor), all from Stella Maris Melbourne, pulled off a co-ordinated task and vaccinated eleven (11) crew on the TSL Rosemary ship that docked at the Melbourne Port. The event took days of preparation, endless phone calls and met many hurdles. Seamus recorded one hundred and eighteen (118) phone calls in the three (3) days prior to the vaccination campaign. Approval from Border Force was only received the day before as they were waiting for the written approval from The Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria. Seamus contacted Adam Reilly who was a commander at the Centre from The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing during the operation at the centre last year. Adam was on holidays but responded to Seamus’ plea by attempting to contact Jeroen Weinmar. He got hold of Brett Sutton who then referred the request to Dr Rachel Heenan, Senior Medical Outbreak Lead, Victorian Department of Health. She then set out to get approval, with many conditions listed, one being that the crew needed to have Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) done prior to going down the gangway. Eleven (11) RATs were located from various sources. During the day, Lee-Anne had to complete an on-line vaccination course to be able to administer the vaccines. This also cost the team a few hours of time. June prepared two buses with barricades, safety cones, trestles (some had to be bought that day), PPE, water for the seafarers, chairs, lights, and other resources while still in contact with the Ship Captain and crew making sure they had their Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) numbers from Services Australia, and that MyGov registrations were ready. There were some issues due to the fact that some seafarers do not have permanent addresses and are using multiple names (some had four names listed). The Captain was extremely helpful and co-ordinated the RATs on board with his crew. At the same time, Dr James Quinn drove to his clinic to prepare and draw the vaccines, making it easier for Lee-Anne, a Registered Nurse, to administer. He created a mobile vaccination pack, including resources to cater for any anaphylactic issues, sharp containers, needles and swabs. During the day, face shields were purchased from a local chemist. Eventually, ‘all systems were go’ and the crew got their vaccines. Needless to say, the Captain and crew were delighted and could not thank Stella Maris Melbourne enough for their efforts. After the task was complete, Dr Quinn (with the help of June) then started registering the seafarers’ vaccinations onto the Government website. He then made sure that the seafarers were going to get a printed copy of their vaccination Certificate. All the tasks were completed at around 11.20 pm. Meanwhile, Dr Rachel Heenan will organise her Maritime team to work on a brief Vaccination Guidance document which the team can utilise in the future. Roslyn Rajasingam, National Director of Stella Maris Australia, thanked the Stella Maris team in Melbourne for a job well done. “At this point of the pandemic, when Australian citizens are being urged to take their boosters, thousands of seafarers are still waiting for a chance to get vaccinated in one of the ports they are visiting. These seafarers who have worked so hard during this pandemic to provide supplies have not been considered as key workers by several companies and governments. Stella Maris Melbourne has certainly assisted in easing the worries of some seafarers in the current situation.”
Weblinks: https://stellamarisaustralia.org/2022/03/04/vaccination-campaign-by-stella-maris-melbourne/Details: March 28, 2022
Contact: VIDEO: Calls to vaccinate merchant sailors docked at Australian ports
Phone: ABC News
Email: Video
Additional Information: The global charity Mission To Seafarers is calling on the West Australian Health Department to provide covid vaccinations to merchant sailors docked at ports around the state.
Weblinks: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-28/call-to-vaccinate-merchant-sailors/13815260Details: June 14, 2022
Contact: Vaccination program sees supply chain workers protected
Phone: Holly Tancredi
Email: Infrastructure
Additional Information: An initiative of New South Wales Ports and Health has seen 1,500 global seafarers protected against COVID-19. The Seafarers Vaccination Program (SVP) began in May 2021 to vaccinate seafarers at Port Botany, Australia’s largest trade gateway. It was the first Australian port to offer vaccinations, with similar programs now in place at Port Kembla terminals, as well as other New South Wales and interstate ports. Since its inception, 85 ships berthing at Port Botany have had crew members vaccinated; with almost 1,500 vaccinations administered in the past 12 months. New South Wales Ports, Port Operations Manager, Wayne Ashton, said the business is proud to help vaccinate seafarers, who play an integral role in the supply chain on which we all rely. “This program is helping to protect the health and welfare of the critical workforce of seafarers who crew the cargo ships that deliver essential goods around the world,” Mr Ashton said. There are more than 1.6 million seafarers who work on merchant ships world-wide – many of whom spent more than 12 months on ships during the peak of the pandemic when health protocols restricted crew changes. Often their only contact was with the Mission to Seafarers, whose dedicated staff have also helped deliver the vaccination program. “By delivering vaccines, we’re helping to fortify the maritime workforce and broader industry, so seafarers receive the health support they deserve, and supply chains remain resilient,” Mr Ashton said. “I’ve never seen people more grateful to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. We’ve delivered many initial jabs to seafarers, and I’m really pleased that second doses and booster jabs are being provided to crews now as well.” New South Wales Health’s State Emergency Operations Centre Controller, Joanne Edwards, said the Seafarers Vaccination Program is critically important to boosting vaccination rates among seafarers. “This collaboration between NSW Health and NSW Ports is evidence of how versatile and far-reaching the COVID-19 vaccination effort has been in New South Wales,” Ms Edwards said.
Weblinks: https://infrastructuremagazine.com.au/2022/06/14/vaccination-program-sees-supply-chain-workers-protected/Details: June 20, 2022
Contact: Port Kembla seafarers queue up to get the COVID shot
Phone: Glen Humphries
Email: Illawarra Mercury
Weblinks: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7787148/port-kembla-seafarers-queue-up-to-get-the-covid-shot/
Bahamas
Details: Wed Jun 02 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: 87% of seafarers still to receive a first vaccine according to initial results of BMA mental health survey
Phone: The Bahamas Maritime Authority
Email: Press Release
Provider: Bahamas, Survey
Additional Information: The Seafarer COVID-19 Welfare Survey announced recently by The Bahamas Maritime Authority has already garnered very high levels of support from maritime organisations and seafarers themselves. But the initial responses received from seafarers are demonstrating that the vast majority, 87%, are still to receive a first vaccine. Of the respondents to date, 86% would be willing to have the vaccine if offered and 65% would feel safer if they had been vaccinated. Initial results also show that more than half of those who have been at sea during the pandemic have been impacted in terms of shore leave and ability to get on or off the vessel. These are very much based on first responses and researchers are receiving many more on a daily basis.
Weblinks: https://www.bahamasmaritime.com/bma-news/87-of-seafarers-still-to-receive-a-first-vaccine-according-to-initial-results-of-bma-mental-health-survey/
Belgium
Details: June 3
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Belgium Starts EU’s First Seafarer COVID Vaccinations
Email: News2Sea
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Belgium has become the first country in the European Union to launch a program to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for seafarers. The effort, which began on June 1, joins a growing number of countries that are launching programs to make the inoculations available to the maritime community.The vaccination program for seafarers started in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and the North Sea, Vincent Van Quickenborne. The vaccinations are currently taking place in the Port of Antwerp and will also begin in the Port of Zeebrugge in the coming days. The goal is to vaccinate approximately 2,200 seafarers this month.
Weblinks: https://news2sea.com/belgium-starts-eus-first-seafarer-covid-vaccinations/Details: June 14
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Covid-vaccinatieprogramma voor zeevarenden gaat van start
Phone: Nautilus nieuws
Email: Nautilus International
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: A vaccination program for seafarers will be launched in the Netherlands on 15 June. All seafarers who work on seagoing vessels under the Dutch flag or under Dutch management are eligible for this COVID-19 vaccination program under the management of the KVNR. Thanks to this program, seafarers can safely continue their work on board seagoing vessels worldwide.
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/nl/nieuws-achtergrondinfo/nieuws/covid-vaccinaties-voor-zeevarenden-gaat-van-start/Details: Wed Jun 02 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Eerste zeelui krijgen hun vaccin
Email: atv
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: En vanmorgen hebben de eerste 2 Belgische zeelui hun coronavaccin gekregen. Dat gebeurde in Mediport, een huisartsenpraktijk op de Italiëlei die zich op zeevarenden richt. Zeelui krijgen voorrang in de vaccinatiestrategie, omdat zij vaak maanden op zee zitten, en zo moeilijk bij een vaccinatiecentrum kunnen langsgaan.
Weblinks: https://atv.be/nieuws/eerste-zeelui-krijgen-hun-vaccin-119755Details: Mon Jul 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Belgium now inoculates foreign seafarers via roving vaccination teams on board ships
Phone: Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA)
Email: Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA)
Provider: Vaccination, RBSA, Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge
Additional Information: Following the successful COVID-19 vaccination of Belgian seafarers that started on 2 June, Belgium is going boldly beyond by moving a level up with a proposal by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the North Sea, Mr Vincent van Quickenborne, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association (RBSA) and the Directorate-General of Shipping. The Vaccination Task Force and the Interministerial Conference on Public Health started a vaccination campaign from 26 July onward for all seafarers arriving in a Belgian port, regardless of their nationality. In order to give this hard-to-reach target group the maximum opportunity to be vaccinated, roving medical teams will go on board the vessels in the ports. This makes Belgium the first country in the world to provide the vaccination for seafarers in this way.
Weblinks: https://kbrv.be/belgium-now-inoculates-foreign-seafarers-via-roving-vaccination-teams-on-board-ships/Details: Mon Jul 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: België is het eerste land dat vaccinatie van internationale zeelui in grote havens grootschalig organiseert
Phone: Camille Jonckheere
Email: vrt NWS
Provider: Vaccination, Belgium
Additional Information: As of today, international seafarers will be vaccinated in the ports of Zeebrugge, Antwerp and Ghent. Belgium is the first country where, in addition to its own seamen, the crews of international ships will also be vaccinated. They will get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, because only 1 shot is needed.
Weblinks: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2021/07/26/belgie-is-het-eerste-land-om-internationale-zeelui-te-vaccineren/Details: Mon Jul 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: MSC Welcomes Belgium's Seafarer Vaccination Initiative
Phone: Press Release
Email: MSC News
Provider: Vaccination, Belgium, MSC
Additional Information: MSC, a leading transportation and logistics company, welcomes initiatives such as Belgium’s efforts to vaccinate all seafarers who visit Belgian ports. Antwerp is a strategic location for MSC and seafarers on many MSC ships will now be able to take advantage of the programme.Following a successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign aimed at Belgian seafarers, Belgium is now extending their vaccination programme to cover all seafarers arriving in Belgium. This recent example follows other initiatives already in place such as in the U.S. as well as in the UK, the Netherlands and Greece.
Weblinks: https://www.msc.com/che/news/2021-july/msc-welcomes-belgium-seafarer-vaccinationsDetails: 06-Dec-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: België start met boosterprik voor zeelieden
Phone: Jolien De Bouw
Email: vrt NWS
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: België start met boosterprik voor zeelieden Als één van de eerste landen start België vandaag met de boosterprik voor zeevaarders. Die kunnen in Zeebrugge en Antwerpen terecht bij erkende medische centra voor een derde prik. Sinds 26 juli gaan ambulante vaccinatieteams ook aan boord van de schepen in onze havens om er buitenlandse zeevarenden te vaccineren.
Weblinks: https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2021/12/06/belgie-start-met-boosterprik-voor-zeelieden/Details: 08-Dec-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Belgium Begins Booster Vaccine Campaign For Seafarers
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Following the inoculation of foreign and Belgian seafarers since June, Belgium is once again spearheading a booster vaccine campaign for these maritime workers starting 7 December.
Weblinks: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/belgium-begins-booster-vaccine-campaign-for-seafarers/
Canada
Details: June 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: With trouble securing doses at home, Canadian sailors turn to U.S. for vaccinations
Phone: Eric Atkens
Email: Globe and Mail
Provider: Vaccination, Domestic Seafarers, Chamber of Marine Commerce
Additional Information: \"Bruce Burrows, head of the Chamber of Marine Commerce, said on Tuesday it has been 'extremely frustrating' trying to get the province to arrange mobile clinics or supply doses for the crew members of the Canadian ships. The group has hired private nurses to administer the doses, but cannot get a supply of vaccine, he said by phone. [...] Brigitte Hébert, a spokeswoman for ship owner CSL, said Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin have been vaccinating non-U.S. citizens since May. Health authorities in Ontario’s Thunder Bay and Niagara regions have let sailors get shots at clinics with 24 hours’ notice, and the Port of Quebec City gave vaccines onboard.\"
Weblinks: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-canadian-seafarers-turning-to-us-health-authorities-to-get-covid-19/Details: June 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: \"Vessels across Canada will sound horns at noon Friday; crews struggling to get vaccinations\"
Email: Welland Tribune
Provider: Vaccination, Domestic Seafarers, Chamber of Marine Commerce, Day of the Seafarer, Chamber of Shipping
Additional Information: \"Friday, the Day of the Seafarer, vessels at ports across Canada will sound their horns at noon (local time) as part of a worldwide effort to recognize the critical role marine workers have played during the pandemic and urge governments to prioritize vaccinations for crews aboard ships.\"
Weblinks: https://www.wellandtribune.ca/business/2021/06/23/vessels-across-canada-will-sound-horns-at-noon-friday-crews-struggling-to-get-vaccinations.htmlDetails: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Crews on cargo ships say they’re having trouble getting vaccinated
Phone: Manesa Dhanabalan
Email: CHCH News
Provider: Vaccination, Domestic Seafarers, Chamber of Marine Commerce
Additional Information: \"The Chamber of Marine Commerce head Bruce Burrows says these essential workers are struggling to get their vaccines. 'Our marine workers are on-board for weeks and weeks at a time in a congregate setting. A ship might have 25 women and men working side-by-side, during the day and night; it's a 24/4 operation. [...] We have what we call a 'minimum complement' of crew members that are required by law to stay on the ship, and so sometimes we just can't afford by law to let crew members leave the ship. Ideally we would like nurses to come on board and vaccinate the seafarers while they are in movement.'\"
Weblinks: https://www.chch.com/crews-on-cargo-ships-say-theyre-having-trouble-getting-vaccinated/Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Marine industry seeks government help to get ship crews vaccinated
Phone: Paul Morden
Email: Sarnia Observer
Provider: Vaccination, Domestic Seafarers, Seafarers' International Union, Day of the Seafarer
Additional Information: “'It’s possible there were operational or other constraints that made it difficult for the ships in port to sound their horns,' Karen Kancens of the Shipping Federation of Canada said in an email. The federation is one of several industry organizations calling on governments to do more to help ship crews get their shots. Alex Morris, a spokesperson for the Seafarers’ International Union of Canada, said he hopes the campaign “sparks a fire under the government” to provide immunizations on ships “so we can eventually get our members fully vaccinated.”
Weblinks: https://www.theobserver.ca/news/local-news/marine-industry-seeks-government-help-to-get-ship-crews-vaccinated/Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: The Port of Quebec and several partners join forces with other companies to form a vaccination hub
Phone: Julie Gedeon
Email: Chamber of Marine Commerce
Provider: Vaccination, Cruises
Additional Information: \"Managing Director Mario Girard says the Quebec Port Authority was happy to provide the space – which has yet to welcome cruise lines because of COVID-19 – as well as mobilize the port’s operations and security teams.'This initiative is a natural for us as we commit ourselves every day to guaranteeing the health and safety of all essential workers on the ground, as well as visitors and crew,' he says. Pascal Raby, Vice President, Operations and Environment, says the port and its partners responded to the province’s call to help speed up vaccinations. 'It took some organization, but isn’t that different from moving travelers on or off a ship,' he says. The cruise terminal filled a need in an area with few large venues.'The building’s size facilitates social distancing along with lots of free parking,' Raby says.\"
Weblinks: https://www.marinedelivers.com/2021/06/the-port-of-quebec-and-several-partners-join-forces-with-other-companies-to-form-a-vaccination-hub/Details: July 2
Vaccine: Crew Change
Contact: The high, human cost of global shipping in the pandemic: Sailors stuck at sea for months
Phone: Peter Armstrong
Email: CBC News
Provider: Crew Change, ITF
Additional Information: \"From the very first days of the pandemic, the business of shipping has been clobbered. As billions of people around the world found themselves stuck at home, demand for products surged. Those first lockdowns in China hit some of the biggest shipping ports in Asia. Then there was a sudden shortage of containers at major European ports. The next thing you know, the Ever Given was stuck in the Suez Canal, causing a global backlog as vessels were forced to decide if they should re-route and go around Africa to deliver their cargo. \"You have a little bit of a perfect storm, with little things all happening together,\" said Opher Baron, a professor of operations management at the Rotman School of Business in Toronto.
Weblinks: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/armstrong-shipping-sailors-seafarers-1.6086650Details: July 14
Vaccine: COVID-19
Contact: Three more COVID-19 cases confirmed aboard ship anchored off coast of Newfoundland
Phone: The Canadian Press
Email: TimesColonist
Provider: COVID-19, ITF
Additional Information: \"The ship, called the Princesa Santa Joana, is one of two vessels now sitting off Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula with COVID-19 infections confirmed among their crew. \"It's definitely a concern,\" said Karl Risser, an Atlantic Canadian inspector with the International Transport Workers' Federation.\"
Weblinks: https://www.timescolonist.com/three-more-covid-19-cases-confirmed-aboard-ship-anchored-off-coast-of-newfoundland-1.24342165Details: Wed Jul 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SEAFARERS CALLING AT THE PORT OF MONTREAL TO BE VACCINATED
Phone: Montreal Port Authority
Email: Port of Montreal website
Provider: Montreal, Vaccination
Additional Information: The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) team is pleased to participate in the collective effort to make it easier for seafarers of all nationalities who call at the Port of Montreal to be vaccinated, an initiative led by the Mariners' House of Montreal and the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board. In recent weeks, more than 100 seafarers have been vaccinated through this collaborative effort.This initiative recently received strong support from the city’s public health department. Santé publique de Montréal is now offering international seafarers the opportunity to be vaccinated at walk-in clinics at the Olympic Stadium and Palais des Congrès. Mariners' House of Montreal coordinates requests from vessels and provides transportation to and from the vessel when circumstances allow. When a request for vaccination is made for an entire crew, it is also possible to send nursing staff on board vessels calling at Montreal.This practical initiative to help fight the pandemic and improve mariners’ well-being is free of charge and available to all crews calling at the Port of Montreal. Interested agents and ship masters are invited to contact Mariners' House of Montreal to learn more about the terms and conditions, and to coordinate the logistics.
Weblinks: https://www.port-montreal.com/en/the-port-of-montreal/news/news/vaccination-seafarersDetails: August 9
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarer vaccinations in Canada
Phone: Shipping Federation of Canada
Email: Website
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Foreign seafarers calling Canadian ports can now obtain Covid-19 vaccinations at key locations across Canada, including at drop-in clinics in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Quebec, and Halifax. Canada is currently offering two-dose vaccines only (Pfizer, Moderna), and does not expect to be in a position to offer the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine for the foreseeable future. Transport Canada recently issued revised guidance allowing seafarers to go ashore for a maximum of six hours, which should help facilate their ability to obtain a vaccination during this period. In all cases, seafarers engaging in shore leave (including for vaccination purposes) are expected to follow the advice of their employer, the Public Health Agency of Canada and local health authorities.
Weblinks: http://www.shipfed.ca/news/6112bd9057258Details: September 15
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Update on seafarer vaccinations in BC
Phone: Chamber of Shipping
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: As noted in our circular of August 4th, the Chamber of Shipping has been working with the Province of British Columbia and the four regional health authorities to develop a program to support the immunization of seafarers. Recognizing that each region has different resources, capabilities, and demands, we are extremely pleased that the health authorities are doing what they can to support the delivery of vaccinations to the seafarers on the vessels. Vancouver Coastal Health has vaccinated seafarers on several vessels at English Bay and, along with Fraser Health, attended vessels at terminals within the Port of Vancouver.
Weblinks: https://shippingmatters.ca/update-seafarer-vaccinations/Details: September 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Ministries to Seafarers Connect Crews to Clinics, Support
Phone: Maia Vandermeer
Email: Banner
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Seafarer centers across North America are liaising between ships and government clinics in order to provide seafarers with access to vaccines against COVID-19. It’s been a long time coming. Michelle DePooter-Francis, lead chaplain of Ministry to Seafarers (M2S) Montreal, had to answer ‘no’ to repeated questions about vaccine availability until recently. 'Some of the first seafarers we helped vaccinate in Montreal had huge smiles after it was done. They were so happy,' she said.
Weblinks: https://www.thebanner.org/news/2021/09/ministries-to-seafarers-connect-crews-to-clinics-supportDetails: September 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: I need this very badly: International cargo crew gets COVID-19 vaccine at Port of Vancouver
Phone: Elizabeth McSheffrey
Email: Global News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Global News was invited along for a rare look at a program to vaccinate the crews of foreign vessels that dock in B.C. Emad Agahi explains why the program is making a difference.
Weblinks: https://globalnews.ca/news/8216550/international-cargo-crew-covid19-vaccine-vancouver/Details: Sept 24, 2021
Contact: VCH immunization team onboard with their vaccine mission
Phone: Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
Weblinks: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vch-immunization-team-onboard-with-their-vaccine-missionDetails: October 6
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federally regulated transportation employees and travellers
Phone: Transport Canada
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that, as of October 30, the Government of Canada will require employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to establish vaccination policies for their employees. Also effective October 30, travellers departing from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to travel. For travellers who are in the process of being vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they can show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel, but that transition period will end on November 30.
Weblinks: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/10/mandatory-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federally-regulated-transportation-employees-and-travellers.htmlDetails: October 29
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccines away for foreign seafarers helping to keep supply chains moving in Hamilton’s port
Phone: Jon Wells
Email: Hamilton Spectator
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: In pre-pandemic times, pastor Dan Phannenhour would routinely drive crew members from ships docked at Hamilton’s port to a restaurant or a mall to load up on gifts and souvenirs to take home to places like India, the Philippines, and Ukraine.But these are unusual times, and the crew members — known as seafarers in the shipping industry — are mostly stuck on board. And Phannenhour is delivering not only fridge magnets, SIM cards and Doritos to them, but also Pfizer and Moderna.
Weblinks: https://www.thespec.com/business/2021/10/29/vaccine-hamilton-port-seafarers.htmlDetails: November 1
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Mariners Can Now Get Covid-19 Vaccines at Port After Months Stranded at Sea
Phone: Vipal Monga
Email: The Wall Street Journal
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Health workers and humanitarian groups at more than 200 ports around the world are making a push to vaccinate thousands of mariners, a population of essential workers that has been largely neglected in the fight against Covid-19.
Weblinks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mariners-can-now-get-covid-19-vaccines-at-port-after-months-stranded-at-sea-11635759001Details: November 3
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Canada’s marine sector is “onboard”to protect workers with mandatory vaccination policies
Phone: CMC
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Canadian marine shipping organizations welcomed new federal mandatory vaccination rules released this week by Transport Canada, and said that marine company policies would be ready to protect the safety and welfare of both their employees and the public.
Weblinks: https://www.marinedelivers.com/media_release/canadas-marine-sector-is-onboardto-protect-workers-with-mandatory-vaccination-policies/Details: Dec 13, 2021
Contact: Santa and team deliver gift of vaccination to seafarers
Phone: Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
Weblinks: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/santa-and-team-deliver-gift-of-vaccination-to-seafarersDetails: Jan 15, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination; Shore leave
Contact: Updated guidelines respecting the mobility of asymptomatic, presumed non-Covid-19-carrying* seafarers in the marine sector during the COVID-19 pandemic – January 15, 2022 - SSB No.: 02/2022
Phone: Transport Canada
Email: January 15, 2022 - Ship Safety Bulletin No.: 02/2022
Weblinks: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/ship-safety-bulletins/updated-guidelines-respecting-mobility-asymptomatic-presumed-non-covid-19-carrying-seafarers-marine-sector-during-covid-19-pandemic-january-15-2022-ssb-no-02-2022Details: Mar 1, 2022
Vaccine: COVID-19, vaccinatino
Contact: Stranded at Sea: COVID-19 and its Toll on Mariners
Phone: Desai Shan, Alireza Jahanbaksh, Om Prakash Yadav
Email: ClearSeas
Additional Information: Shipping is an essential link in the global supply chain, and more than one million people worldwide are required to keep merchant vessels sailing. The Baltic and International Maritime Council and International Chamber of Shipping’s 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report has warned that there will be a serious shortage of some 89,510 marine officers by 2026.1 Despite the essential nature of their work, the working conditions for many seafarers do not support the important role they play in the global economy. The pandemic has worsened working conditions for many and prevented others from reaching their ships. How will the global maritime industry adapt to this coming shortage and, more importantly, how will those changes affect the health and well-being of the seafarers who keep the goods and commodities moving? Research conducted by an academic team at Memorial University of Newfoundland, as part of Clear Seas’ Demystifying Maritime Governance project, considers the occupational health and safety crisis faced by seafarers during the pandemic. It also identifies the regulatory gaps in Canada’s maritime governance system and the remedial actions required to close them. As the first study focusing on Canadian and international seafarers in Canada, and the health and safety challenges they faced during the pandemic, it explored the effects this global crisis had on the marine shipping industry and workers alike. In addition to the infection risk, the study found that the public health measures, including requirements for quarantine and self-isolation, created significant unintended challenges hardship for maritime transport workers’ mental and physical health. This blog summarizes the study highlights including the regulatory gaps identified in maritime health and safety governance and the recommendations raised by the research team to bridge those gaps.
Cost: This blog was written in collaboration with Memorial University’s researchers as part of Clear Seas’ Demystifying Maritime Governance research project.
Weblinks: https://clearseas.org/en/blog/stranded-at-sea-covid-19-and-its-toll-on-mariners/Details: June 16, 2022
Contact: Foreign seafarers can obtain a COVID-19 vaccine in Canada - SSB No.: 11/2022
Phone: Transport Canada
Email: Ship Safety Bulletin
Additional Information: Purpose This bulletin is to let you know that COVID-19 vaccines remain available to everyone, including foreign seafarers, in Canada. Scope This bulletin applies to: shipping companies and agents responsible for vessels calling to Canadian ports, and foreign seafarers What you need to know COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada continue to be widely available. Please consult Ship Safety Bulletin 06/2022 for guidelines respecting the mobility of asymptomatic, presumed non-Covid-19 carrying seafarers. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect our families, communities, coworkers and ourselves against COVID-19. Vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can also reduce the likelihood of developing symptoms of post COVID-19 condition. Post COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID, is when people still experience symptoms of COVID-19 for weeks or months after their initial recovery. Learn more about: COVID-19: Effectiveness and benefits of vaccination Post COVID-19 condition How to get a vaccine Please consult the following websites that contain helpful information on how a foreign seafarer in Canada can obtain a COVD-19 vaccine. Vaccines for COVID-19 – Information from the Government of Canada. Seafarer Vaccinations in Canada – website maintained by the Shipping Federation of Canada providing vaccine availability information at key locations across Canada, including Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, Trois Rivieres, Quebec, Saint John, and Halifax. Covid-19 Vaccines for Seafarers – website maintained by the North American Maritime Ministry Association providing vaccine availability information at key ports in Canada. Immunization Information for Seafarers in BC – website maintained by the Chamber of Shipping providing information on how seafarers can obtain a COVID-19 vaccine at ports in British Columbia.
Weblinks: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/ship-safety-bulletins/foreign-seafarers-can-obtain-covid-19-vaccine-canada-ssb-no-11-2022
China
Details: Thu May 20 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Chinese seafarers to get access to new single-dose vaccine
Phone: Sam Chambers
Email: Splash 247
Additional Information: The China Shipowners’ Association has written to transport and health authorities in Beijing to make a recently approved local single-shot Covid-19 vaccine available for seafarers at 11 major ports across the People’s Republic.Chinese seafarers have thus far been administered double-dose Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines, but they will soon be able to get the CanSinoBIO single-shot injection, making crew deployment easier.The vaccine, developed by CanSino Biologics and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, uses a modified adenovirus to induce neutralising antibodies against the Covid-19 virus.
Weblinks: https://splash247.com/chinese-seafarers-to-get-access-to-new-single-dose-vaccine/Details: Nov 14, 2021
Contact: 船員不再是疫苗孤兒
Phone: Wu Huizhen
Email: China Times
Weblinks: https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20211114000283-260209?chdtv
Croatia
Details: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: LNG Croatia Seafarers Required Vaccination to Work from November 1
Phone: Daniela Rogulj
Email: Total Croatia News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: LNG Croatia seafarers at the LNG terminal in Omišalj will need to be vaccinated with at least the first dose by November 1 this year.
Weblinks: https://www.total-croatia-news.com/business/57256-lng-croatia-seafarers
Cyprus
Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Cyprus set to give jabs to 40,000 seafarers in Covid-19 vaccine drive
Phone: Harry Papachristou
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination, Cyprus
Additional Information: Cyprus announced details of a Covid-19 vaccination plan for seafarers on any vessel linked to the country.
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/news/cyprus-set-to-give-jabs-to-40-000-seafarers-in-covid-19-vaccine-drive/2-1-1030719Details: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Coronavirus: More than 5,000 crew members jabbed as part of Cyprus programme
Phone: Evie Andreou
Email: CyprusMail
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: More than 5,000 seafarers have been vaccinated so far as part of the government’s initiative to offer Covid-19 jabs to crews of ships flying the Cypriot flag or using the country’s ports, deputy shipping minister Vassilis Demetriades said on Tuesday.The minister also said Cyprus has offered to become a vaccination hub for seafarers.
Weblinks: https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/08/03/coronavirus-more-than-5000-crew-members-jabbed-as-part-of-cyprus-programme/Details: Wed Aug 04 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Cyprus Vaccinates More Than 5000 Seafarers
Phone: MI News Network
Email: Marine Insight
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/cyprus-vaccinates-more-than-5000-seafarers/Details: August 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Cyprus allows vaccinations of seafarers onboard its flagged and managed vessels
Email: CSN
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Cyprus is reviewing its plans to provide Covid-19 vaccination for seafarers onboard its flagged and managed vessels, which are currently being offered on a ‘first come first serve basis’.
Weblinks: https://cyprusshippingnews.com/2021/08/17/cyprus-allows-vaccinations-of-seafarers-onboard-its-flagged-and-managed-vessels/
Denmark
Details: August 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Denmark Starts offering vaccines to seafarers
Phone: Sam Chambers
Email: Spash247
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Danish government has just announced that it will start offering vaccines for seafarers calling Danish ports or transiting Danish airports, becoming the latest European nation to prioritise seafarers of all nationalities for a Covid jab. Denmark will be offering one-shot Johnson & Johnson jabs.
Weblinks: https://splash247.com/denmark-starts-offering-vaccines-to-seafarers/Details: 01-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Denmark to vaccinate seafarers in its ports
Phone: Lloyd’s List
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Country expects that about 3,000 seafarers, regardless of their nationality, can be vaccinated in the second half of 2021
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1138055/Denmark-to-vaccinate-seafarers-in-its-ports
Fiji
Details: August 18
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Pacific island leaders call for vaccination of fishermen, seafarers, and observers
Phone: Bernadette Carreon
Email: SeafoodSource
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Leaders of Pacific island nations are encouraging the region’s governments to prioritize the vaccination of fishing crews and seafarers in their national vaccination programs.
Weblinks: https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/pacific-island-leaders-call-region-to-prioritize-vaccination-of-fishermen-seafarers-and-observers
France
Details: Tue May 11 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: French seafarers receive priority access to Covid-19 jabs
Phone: Nautilus International
Email: Nautilus International
Additional Information: The French government has announced that French seafarers will receive priority access to Covid-19 jabs at national vaccination centres.Nautilus Federation affiliate union Fédérale Maritime (UFM) – part of the CFDT:FGTE union of France – had written a letter to President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the fact that 30,000 seafarers sail on vessels flying French flags and 5,000 of these are deep-sea seafarers or fishers with limited access to medical care.
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/french-seafarers-receive-priority-access-to-covid-19-jabs/Details: Thu Jun 24 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Covid-19 : un appel lancé pour que tous les marins dans le monde soient vaccinés plus rapidement
Phone: Le Parisien ave AFP
Email: Le Parisien
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Près de 900 000 marins dans le monde auraient toujours un accès limité au vaccin contre le Covid-19. Un constat qui pousse ainsi les armateurs à lancer un appel pour que tous soient vaccinés rapidement afin de rendre à nouveau possibles la relève des équipages. « Ce qu’on souhaite, c’est que l’ensemble des marins puissent être vaccinés au plus tôt », a indiqué jeudi le président d’Armateur de France, Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, se faisant l’écho d’une initiative plus globale de la Chambre internationale de la marine marchande (ICS).
Weblinks: https://www.leparisien.fr/societe/sante/covid-19-un-appel-lance-pour-que-tous-les-marins-dans-le-monde-soient-vaccines-plus-rapidement-24-06-2021-UHQIU2DU5BAX3OIETLWCF435BI.phpDetails: 18-Aug-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Les marins français sur le banc de touche de la vaccination?
Phone: Laura Taouchanov
Email: Europe1
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Huit mois après le coup d'envoi de la campagne de vaccination en France, les marins déplorent des mesures jugées -inadaptées- à leur profession. Bruno Pouille, de la Fédération internationale des ouvriers du transport, dénonce au micro d'Europe 1, l'absence de coopération internationale autour d'une politique commune.
Weblinks: https://www.europe1.fr/sante/les-marins-francais-sur-le-banc-de-touche-de-la-vaccination-4062642Details: 02-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port-Vendres: 85 marins philippins vaccinés à bord de leur navire
Email: L’indépendant
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: C’est à bord d’un cargo, à quai durant 36 heures à Port-Vendres, que l’équipe de vaccination mobile d’Argelès-Saint-Cyprien poursuit sa campagne. Une opération minutieusement orchestrée, qui permettra d’ici fin septembre à 85 marins, majoritairement Philippins, d’obtenir leur Pass sanitaire. Une aubaine pour l'équipage, qui apprécie la démarche.
Weblinks: https://www.lindependant.fr/2021/09/02/port-vendres-85-marins-philippins-vaccines-a-bord-de-leur-navire-9764709.phpDetails: September 13
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Plus de 4000 marins vaccinés par les marins-pompiers de Marseille
Phone: Thibaud Teillard
Email: Le Marin
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Avec discrétion mais une redoutable efficacité, le bataillon des marins-pompiers de Marseille (BMPM) a vacciné des marins de 80 nationalités, tout en menant d’autres actions de prévention face au covid-19. Le BMPM multiplie, depuis le début de la pandémie, des actions de lutte et de prévention. Alors que la vaccination des marins est un enjeu mondial qui témoigne tristement de l’inégalité d’accès à la prévention selon les nationalités, les marins-pompiers de Marseille ont joué un rôle précieux. ‘Nous avons vacciné plus de 4 000 marins dans le port de Marseille ou dans nos centres de vaccination, issus de plus de 80 pays différents’, témoigne leur patron, l’amiral Patrick Augier.Les premiers à avoir été vaccinés sont les pilotes du port puis ceux des compagnies de croisière comme Ponant et Silversea cruises, dont plusieurs navires ont été ou sont toujours en attente dans le port de Marseille. Autres marins concernés : ceux embarqués à bord des navires de Corsica linea, de La Méridionale et surtout de la Compagnie tunisienne de navigation, qui ont bénéficié d’une précieuse protection alors que la situation sanitaire en Tunisie est difficile. 'Le principal mode opératoire était l’escale dans le port – 900 marins ont été vaccinés en une journée sur un paquebot de MSC par exemple – ou après transport à notre centre de vaccination principal', explique l’amiral Augier.
Weblinks: https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/secteurs-activites/shipping/40847-plus-de-4-000-marins-vaccines-par-les-marins-pompiers-de-marseille
Germany
Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Hamburg joins patchwork of ports offering Covid-19 jabs to seafarers
Phone: Adam Corbett
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination, Deutsche Seemannsmission, Duckdalben
Additional Information: Seafarers of any nationality can get vaccinated against Covid-19 at the Port of Hamburg Duckdalben International Seamen's Club.The jabs will start today after ships sound their horns in recognition of the International Maritime Organization’s Day of the Seafarer.
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/hamburg-joins-patchwork-of-ports-offering-covid-19-jabs-to-seafarers/2-1-1030814Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Impfkampagne für Seeleute in Hamburg gestartet
Email: NDR
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Hamburg hat mit der Impfung von Seeleuten gegen das Coronavirus begonnen. 40 Seeleute aus Indien wurden am Freitag im Seemannsclub Duckdalben geimpft - unmittelbar nach dem Ertönen zahlreicher Schiffshörner im Hafen aus Anlass des Tags der Seefahrer.
Weblinks: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/Impfkampagne-fuer-Seeleute-in-Hamburg-gestartet,seeleute176.htmlDetails: July 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seefahrer werden in Bremerhaven geimpft
Phone: Fabian Karpstein
Email: Nord24
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Ab Montag, 12. Juli, haben Seefahrer die Möglichkeit, sich in den Bremischen Häfen in Bremerhaven impfen zu lassen. Das teilte der Bremer Senat am Donnerstagnachmittag mit.
Weblinks: https://www.nord24.de/bremerhaven/seefahrer-werden-in-bremerhaven-geimpft-63081.htmlDetails: July 12
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Bremen to join international seafarer vaccination push
Phone: Matt Coyne
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination, Bremen
Additional Information: German port will begin offering the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/bremen-to-join-international-seafarer-vaccination-push/2-1-1039105Details: Fri Jul 30 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Boers offering free Covid-19 jabs at German and Belgian ports
Phone: Adis Ajdin
Email: Splash 247
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://splash247.com/boers-offering-free-covid-19-jabs-at-german-and-belgian-ports/Details: September 13
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Gekommen, um zu impfen
Phone: Benno Stieber
Email: Taz
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://taz.de/Impfkampagne-in-Deutschland/!5796151/Details: September 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Procedural aspects of COVID-19 vaccinations for seafarers on ocean-going vessels
Phone: Clara C. Schlaich et al.
Email: Via Medica 72.3 (2021): 179-182
Provider: procedural aspects, COVID-19, vaccinations for seafarers
Additional Information: The increasing availability of safe and authorised coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines for the first time provides the opportunity to vaccinate seafarers on board their ships while in port. Speedy vaccination of seafarers secures their health and serves to avoid the international propagation of COVID-19 virus variants via maritime traffic. As a port medical clinic, we will share our practical vaccination experience on board of merchant vessels in German/European ports with our esteemed coastal colleagues to stimulate their participation in this endeavour. You will have to adapt the procedure to your national particularities, otherwise please freely share the information with interested parties. Detailed guidance on COVID-19 vaccination in shipping and accompanying legal issues was published by the International Chamber of Shipping (www.ics-shipping.org).
Weblinks: https://journals.viamedica.pl/international_maritime_health/article/view/MH.2021.0034/64246Details: November 1
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seamen’s Mission wants vaccinations for foreign seafarers
Email: NDR
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Many seafarers from non-European countries cannot leave their ship because they are not vaccinated against Corona. The seaman's mission in Cuxhaven is therefore calling for an additional vaccination offer.
Weblinks: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/Seemannsmission-will-Impfungen-fuer-auslaendische-Seeleute-,seeleute178.htmlDetails: March 23, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Die den Hafen impft
Phone: Ärztekammer Schleswig-Holstein
Additional Information: Corona-Schutz für Seeleute und Lotsen: Gemeinsam mit der Seemannsmission Kiel sorgt Arbeitsmedizinerin Bettina Gau für Sicherheit auf den Weltmeeren.
Weblinks: https://www.aeksh.de/die-den-hafen-impftDetails: April 27, 2022
Contact: Shore Leave for Seafarers in COVID-19: Deutsche Seemannsmission Survey
Phone: Jörn Hille, Philipp M. Manthey and Sören Wichmann
Email: The MARE Report
Additional Information: The following survey was conducted by the Deutsche Seemannsmission in March 2022 (11-25 Mar. 2022) in the German ports of Bremerhaven, Cuxhaven, Emden and Hamburg, as well as in the ports of Antwerp (Belgium), Le Havre (France) and New York (USA). The survey consisted of a questionnaire which was circulated in Seaman’s Clubs (in the above-mentioned ports) and onboard the vessels. A total of 570 (=100%) seafarers completed the fourteen questions in the questionnaire. Prior to the survey period, in January 2022 a pre-test was carried out in the port of Hamburg by means of a smaller survey. Some of the questions in the final questionnaire were reformulated and their order modified. The changes resulted in a stronger focus on shore leave, onboard vaccinations, and contract situations.
Weblinks: https://marereport.namma.org/index.php/2022/04/27/shore-leave-for-seafarers-in-covid-19-deutsche-seemannsmission-survey/
Ghana
Details: Jan 14,2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Ghana to impose fines on ships with unvaccinated personnel
Phone: ShipInsight
Weblinks: https://shipinsight.com/articles/ghana-to-impose-fines-on-ships-with-unvaccinated-personnelDetails: Jan 18, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Ghana allows 'grace period' on unvaccinated crew fines
Phone: Nautlus
Email: Press Release
Additional Information: Maritime insurer Gard has clarified that Ghana has withdrawn its directive imposing fines on ships with unvaccinated personnel. In early January 2022, Gard local correspondent Sheringham P&I Services advised that Ghana Port Health Service would levy a fine of US$3,500 on any vessel arriving with crew or passengers not fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The directive was due to be implemented from 15 January 2022 onwards. However, following that announcement, authorities have decided to allow a grace period until February 2022 to allow owners sufficient time to vaccinate their crew. According to the latest information, the Directive has been withdrawn and vessels will not be fined if they arrive with unvaccinated crew. A copy of the Directive can be accessed through Gard's website.
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/ghana-allows-grace-period-on-unvaccinated-crew-fines/,
https://www.gard.no/Content/32976774/cache=20221801103700/GhanaHealth_10Jan2022.pdf
Hong Kong
Details: July 3
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Why Hong Kong should give excess Covid-19 vaccines to seafarers
Phone: Bjorn Hojgaard
Email: SCMP
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: (Opinion) Many of us in Hong Kong go about our lives unaware of our dependence on an invisible workforce for the delivery of our daily necessities and conveniences. From the food on our table and life-saving medicines to fuel, cars, electronic devices and clothing, the list is endless.All that could be taken away in a moment if not for the 1.7 million seafarers working on board the world’s 56,000 merchant vessels. It will come as even more of a shock to know that since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the full provision of the necessities has been far from certain and remains a matter of chance to this day.The global supply chains that help feed, clothe and fuel us have not been under more strain since World War II, and the reason is simple. As the pandemic spread across the world and nations locked down for protection, seafarers became locked out and were unable to travel freely, thus severely inhibiting crew relief and repatriation operations.
Weblinks: https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3139569/why-hong-kong-should-give-excess-covid-19-vaccines-seafarers
India
Details: Mon May 24 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Indian seafarers left in limbo as coronavirus restrictions create chaos in shipping industry
Phone: Sonia Sarkar
Email: SCMP
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Difficulties securing vaccines mean seafarers face job losses as well as obstacles to returning home after finishing contracts
Weblinks: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3134540/indian-seafarers-left-limbo-coronavirus-restrictions-create-chaosDetails: June 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ISWAN launches vaccination drive for Indian seafarers
Phone: ISWAN
Email: ISWAN News
Provider: Vaccination, ISWAN South Asia
Additional Information: In response to the second wave of COVID-19 in India, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has launched a ‘Vaccination Drive for Indian Seafarers’ in collaboration with Narayana Health and the Medica Group of Hospitals.Over the last few weeks, ISWAN's international helpline SeafarerHelp has received a significant number of calls from Indian seafarers who have shared the various challenges they and their families are facing in India due to the disastrous impact of the second wave of COVID-19. Indian seafarers have reported being unable to join vessels as they could not get vaccinated, which has resulted in increased hardship for the seafarers and their families and worries that they may lose their jobs.ISWAN’s ‘Vaccination Drive for Indian Seafarers’ will be coordinated by ISWAN South Asia and aims to facilitate vaccines for Indian seafarers as a priority in various cities around India. The cost is amongst the lowest available – from 630 Indian rupees per dose. ISWAN’s vaccination drive will facilitate administration of only World Health Organization-approved vaccines – currently COVISHIELD in India. Two doses are necessary and the government's guidelines for the gap between the doses should be followed.Any companies or organisations wishing to take advantage of this programme may wish to organise an on-site camp for a large number of their employees with the hospital concerned – they should contact ISWAN’s Director of Regions Chirag Bahri at chirag.bahri@iswan.org.uk and ISWAN will facilitate such arrangements.
Weblinks: https://www.seafarerswelfare.org/news/2021/iswan-launches-vaccination-drive-for-indian-seafarersDetails: June 9
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ISWAN launches vaccination scheme for Indian seafarers in rare humanitarian feat
Phone: Max Tingyao Lin
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has managed to launch a vaccination programme for seafarers in India — a rare feat achieved by a non-governmental organisation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/esg/iswan-launches-vaccination-scheme-for-indian-seafarers-in-rare-humanitarian-feat/2-1-1022673Details: Thu Jul 29 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinating seafarers across India against COVID-19
Phone: ISWAN
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination, ISWAN South Asia
Weblinks: https://www.seafarerswelfare.org/stories/vaccinating-seafarers-across-india-against-covid-19Details: August 18
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Maritime bodies press for early second dose of Covid-19 vaccine for seafarers
Phone: PTI
Email: The Times of India
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Five maritime bodies have appealed to the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to allow seafarers to take the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine earlier than the stipulated time frame in view of their safety and employability
Weblinks: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maritime-bodies-press-for-early-second-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine-for-seafarers/articleshow/85436226.cmsDetails: Jan 6, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Booster Covid dose essential for Indian seafarers : MASSA-
Phone: Hemang Palan
Email: Aajkaal Daily
Provider: vaccination
Additional Information: India’s leading shipping association, The Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) has appealed to the Indian government for including Indian seafarers amongst the workers to be eligible for precautionary booster dose of Covid vaccine upon meeting the criteria as stated by the country’s health ministry.
Weblinks: https://www.aajkaaldaily.com/english/Booster-Covid-dose-essential-for-Indian-seafarers-MASSADetails: Feb 24, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination; booster
Contact: Booster dose: NRI commission seeks relaxation for seafarers
Email: The Times of India
Weblinks: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/booster-dose-nri-commission-seeks-relaxation-for-seafarers/articleshow/89783798.cmsContact: DGS Circular No. 08 of 2022: Coronavirus (COVID 19) - arrangement of 34d Dose/Booster dose of vaccination for seafarers
Phone: DG Shipping
Email: Press Release
Weblinks: https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/writereaddata/ShippingNotices/202204070500423575879DGSCIRCULARNo08of2022.pdf
International
Details: January 26
Contact: The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change
Phone: Global Maritime Forum
Email: Global Maritime Forum
Provider: Crew Change, Vaccination, COVID-19
Additional Information: \"Seafarers should be recognized as key workers by all governments in line with the UN General Assembly, resolution adopted on 1 December 2020 and the transition of seafarers across borders should be facilitated based on internationally agreed, high quality health protocols. Governments and other stakeholders should work together with the maritime industry to ensure that seafarers, irrespective of their nationality, get priority access to Covid-19 vaccines alongside other key workers and health care professionals in recognition of their critical role in global supply chains and trade. This should include developing protocols that ensure vaccinations are correctly certified and effectively administered to seafarers as well as establishing a standardized format for health passes that contain tamper proof information about vaccination and testing status to facilitate crew changes.\"
Weblinks: https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/content/2020/12/The-Neptune-Declaration-on-Seafarer-Wellbeing-and-Crew-Change.pdfDetails: Mar 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Joint Statement on prioritization of COVID-19 vaccination for seafarers and aircrew
Phone: WHO
Email: World Health Organzation
Provider: Vaccination, WHO, ICAO, ILO, IMO, IOM
Additional Information: With this statement, our organizations also call on governments to prioritize seafarers and aircrew in their national COVID-19 vaccination programmes, together with other essential workers, in accordance with the advice from the WHO SAGE Roadmap for prioritizing the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the context of limited supply published in November 20202. Seafarers and aircrew need to be protected through vaccination as soon as possible, to facilitate their safe movement across borders. We also call on governments to identify and prepare for the challenges of COVID-19 vaccination of seafarers and aircrew, particularly for seafarers spending long periods of time away from their home country.
Weblinks: https://www.who.int/news/item/25-03-2021-joint-statement-on-prioritization-of-covid-19-vaccination-for-seafarers-and-aircrewDetails: Mon Mar 22 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Cruise and shipping industries could take a hit due to lack of Covid vaccines
Phone: Lori Ann LaRocco
Email: CNBC
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The lack of access to Covid-19 vaccines for maritime crews will expose the global shipping industry to a ‘legal minefield’ and leave global supply chains vulnerable, according to internal legal guidance from the International Chamber of Shipping.In the document, which is expected to be published later this week, ICS warns vaccinations could soon become a requirement for work at sea as countries begin to insist all crew members be vaccinated as a pre-condition of entering their ports.
Weblinks: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/22/global-shipping-could-take-a-hit-due-to-lack-of-vaccine-access-for-seafarers-.htmlDetails: Fri Mar 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ICAO joins UN call for prioritized vaccinations for aircrew and seafarers
Phone: ICAO
Email: ICAO News Release
Provider: Vaccination, ICAO, IMO, ILO, WHO
Additional Information: ICAO joined four other UN agencies today in calling on countries to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for aircrew and seafarers. In addition to ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu, the special Joint Statement was signed by the heads of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the World Health Organization (WHO). “The implementation of the current WHO recommendations are of primordial importance to the continued and optimal operation of the international civil aviation network, and therefore to the transport worldwide of essential shipments and workers,” Dr. Liu declared.
Weblinks: https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-joins-UN-call-for-prioritized-vaccinations-for-aircrew-and-seafarers.aspxDetails: April 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Resolution concerning COVID-19 vaccination for seafarers
Phone: Fourth Meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee of the MLC, 2006 – Part I (19-23 April 2021)
Email: ILO Newsroom
Provider: ILO, Vaccination
Additional Information: \"Calls upon Members, in consultation and cooperation with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations, to carry out a mapping exercise, in order to assist with the procurement of adequate supplies of vaccines for the inoculation of seafarers in their country of residence or other appropriate location; Calls upon all relevant UN bodies to recognize the need for a collective approach to secure the number of vaccines identified as being required by the mapping exercise; Calls upon governments, in accordance with their national vaccination programmes, to make supplies of WHO Emergency Use List (WHO-EUL) vaccines available for seafarers on ships visiting ports in their territories, in order to facilitate necessary crew changes and minimise disruption to global supply chains; Calls upon governments to consider establishing vaccination hubs for seafarers in ports where there is sufficient capacity, where significant numbers of ships call and where sufficient supplies of WHO-EUL vaccines can be made available; Encourages States to accept vaccines given to seafarers by other States, particularly if a national, regional or other form of vaccine certification is required to permit movement of individuals; Encourages governments, in consultation with shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations and in coordination with the WHO and IMO, to consider the possibility of establishing an international programme for seafarers that will facilitate access to vaccination ashore, including where seafarers are joining or leaving a ship or taking shore leave; and Calls upon Members to ensure that seafarers are provided with access to COVID-19 vaccination at the earliest opportunity.\"
Weblinks: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---normes/documents/genericdocument/wcms_782880.pdfDetails: Tue Apr 27 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: InterManager vows to source vaccinations for seafarers
Email: InterManager
Provider: Vaccination, Intermanager, United Nations
Additional Information: Frustrated by the lack of progress and slow pace of international efforts, InterManager has vowed to work separately to obtain much-needed Covid-19 vaccines to protect the world’s more than one and a half million seafarers and thereby keep international trade routes open.InterManager President Mark O’Neil declared: “Global organisations have talked their way round in circles and still we are no further forward in providing a vaccination programme for seafarers who are vital in ensuring that world trade and aid continues to be delivered. InterManager says enough is enough – realising that the international efforts have not been sufficient in recognising the importance of the vaccination of seafarers we will now work on sourcing vaccinations separately through legitimate channels to enable our members to vaccinate their seafarers as soon as possible and to support others within the maritime industry to do the same.”
Weblinks: https://www.intermanager.org/2021/04/intermanager-vows-to-source-vaccinations-for-seafarers/Details: April 29
Vaccine: COVID-19
Contact: The ILO calls for full respect of seafarers' rights and for the vaccination of seafarers
Email: International Labor Organization Newsroom
Provider: Vaccination, ILO, MLC 2006
Additional Information: \"The ILO is calling on governments to treat seafarers as key workers and to cooperate to make vaccines available to them at the earliest opportunity, to allow them to pass through international borders and keep global supply chains moving.\"
Weblinks: http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_785244/lang--en/index.htmDetails: May 7
Vaccine: Crew Change
Contact: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Communication from the Secretary-General regarding the crew change crisis
Phone: Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO
Email: IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.39
Provider: IMO, Crew Change, Vaccination
Additional Information: \"The prioritization of the COVID-19 vaccination for seafarers is a new challenge for the international community and IMO is working actively within the United Nations system and with Member States and the maritime industry to find solutions to enable and accelerate the vaccination of seafarers, in order to protect them as soon as possible and to facilitate their safe movement across borders. Some key maritime labour supply countries are reliant on the COVAX initiative of WHO. To ensure access to vaccines of those countries, I call on all IMO Member States to work together towards a fair global distribution, beyond fulfilling their national needs. No seafarers should be left behind or forced to forgo their careers because of limited resources in their home country. The health of the world's seafarers and the safety of their workplaces has to remain one of our main priorities and can only be guaranteed if industry and Member States continue to provide all necessary measures such as testing, appropriate PPE, access to medical care and sanitation facilities to prevent the spread of the virus.\"
Weblinks: https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/PublishingImages/Pages/SG-Vaccination-Statement-May21/Circular%20Letter%20No.4204-Add.39.pdfDetails: May 1
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: MSC Cruises strengthens its industry-leading health & safety protocol with roll-out of fleet-die COVID-19 vaccination programme for crew as more of its ships prepare to return to sea
Email: MSC Cruises
Provider: Vaccination, Cruises
Additional Information: \"Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, said, 'As our ships prepare to welcome more and more guests over the coming weeks and months, we are pleased to announce the start of a comprehensive plan of vaccinations for all of our crew. Our aim is of adding a further level of protection for both themselves and the guests they will welcome for their holidays as we lead the way in the industry’s restart this summer.'\"
Weblinks: http://m.msccruises.com/en-gl/Mobile/About-MSC/News/MSC-Cruises-Vaccination-Programme-For-Crew.aspxDetails: May 12
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: NAMMA Shares Information on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in US Ports
Phone: NAMMA
Email: MARE Report
Provider: Vaccination, NAMMA
Additional Information: The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) has compiled information on COVID-19 vaccine availability for foreign seafarers in United States ports. The list is available on the NAMMA website here: https://namma.org/vaccines/.
Weblinks: http://marereport.namma.org/index.php/2021/05/12/namma-shares-information-on-covid-19-availability-in-us-ports/Details: Thu May 13 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ICS releases Vaccination Roadmap to quicken seafarer jab rollout
Phone: Press Release
Email: International Chamber of Shipping
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: As the US, Netherlands and other nations begin to roll out vaccines to all seafarers, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has today published a Vaccination Roadmap framework to help establish vaccination hubs dedicated to seafarers across the world, alongside other major maritime NGOs.To date, 16 states in the US have begun vaccination programmes for non-native crew delivering goods in their ports. Other European countries are set to follow suit in the coming weeks and months due to successful vaccinations programmes for their own population, including the Netherlands which will launch a vaccination programme for all seafarers, regardless of nationality, flying under the Dutch flag from mid-June.To help governments and companies responsible for creating hubs, the 21-page document has information on vaccine eligibility, implementation, distribution, administration and legal issues.
Weblinks: https://www.ics-shipping.org/press-release/ics-releases-vaccination-roadmap-to-quicken-seafarer-jab-rollout/Details: Thu May 20 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: V.Group rolls out global vaccine programme with first seafarer vaccines
Phone: V.Group
Email: Press Release
Provider: V.Group, Vaccination
Additional Information: V.Group rolls out global vaccine programme with first seafarer vaccinesWhile the COVID-19 situation is improving in many countries, the number of cases is still increasing in many parts of the world, making vaccines more important than ever.Recently, V.Group successfully completed the vaccination of 13 Indian seafarers on board a Falcon Maritime vessel, CABRERA, in Port Everglades, USA. This was the first V.Ships vessel to give vaccines on board. These crew members represent the start of our plans to roll out vaccines globally to all of our seafarers.
Weblinks: https://vgrouplimited.com/news/v-group-rolls-out-global-vaccine-programme-with-first-seafarer-vaccinesDetails: Fri May 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ECSA and ETF renew their joint call for prompt seafarers’ vaccination.
Phone: ECSA and ETF
Email: Press Release
Provider: Europe
Additional Information: On the 21st of April 2021, the recognized European social partners of the maritime transport sector - ETF and ECSA - issued a Joint Statement on the recognition of seafarers as key workers that reiterates their previous calls for seafarers’ prompt vaccination. The Joint Statement aims at assisting Member States in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of seafarers – including through access to vaccination – in order for them to continue performing their key work. Global seaborne supply chains supply the world with 90% of everything we consume as well as so much needed medical equipment, personal protective equipment, medicines and vaccinations to combat Covid-19.
Weblinks: https://www.ecsa.eu/news/ecsa-and-etf-renew-their-joint-call-prompt-seafarers-vaccinationDetails: Tue Jun 01 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: COVID-19 vaccination and seafarers: Where we stand
Phone: The Editorial Team
Email: Safety4Sea
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Vaccination has been at the forefront of discussions across shipping as a major factor linked to the unprecedented crew change crisis, as vaccinated seafarers could have fewer travel restrictions making crew changeovers easier.
Weblinks: https://safety4sea.com/cm-covid-19-vaccination-and-seafarers-where-we-stand/Details: Wed Jun 02 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarer vaccination push must remain key priority for policy makers
Phone: Alex Wood
Email: MarineTraffic Blog
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The race to vaccinate seafarers is slowly gaining momentum. Coronavirus cases remain stubbornly high globally despite the efforts of governments. But with vaccinations now on the table, there remains hope Covid-19 can be brought under control in the second half of 2021. India has sadly become the epicentre of the pandemic with over 300,000 deaths from the disease. But with the country providing just under 10 per cent of seafarers globally, the Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) revealed earlier this week that it will now launch a free nationwide vaccination push.
Weblinks: https://www.marinetraffic.com/blog/seafarer-vaccination-push-must-remain-key-priority-for-policy-makers/Details: June 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination of seafarers is critical
Phone: Marcus Hand
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination, IMO, Kitack Lim
Additional Information: In a recorded address at the opening of CrewConnect Europe Virtual Event IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said it continued to urge governments to designate seafarers s key workers, which would give them access to priority vaccination.“Vaccination of seafarers is critical. Throughout the pandemic shipping has proven itself to be a reliable, resilient and effective mode of transport as a result of hard work by seafarers, we must ensure that we repay their efforts. The most important way to do this is to ensure a fair distribution of vaccinces, not seafarers should be left behind,” Lim stated.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/vaccination-seafarers-criticalDetails: June 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Lack of international vaccination strategy is failing seafarers
Phone: Eric Martin
Email: TradeWinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: \"Seafarers are at a disadvantage when it comes to vaccinating against the coronavirus. That is because there is a yawning gap between countries that are successfully rolling out Covid-19 jabs to their residents and those that are failing to or unable to do so, and the world's shipboard workers are at the wrong end of that gap.\"
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/opinion/lack-of-international-vaccination-strategy-is-failing-seafarers/2-1-1032040Details: July 9
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: FAQs about P&I Club cover relating to the vaccination of seafarers
Phone: International Group of P&I Clubs
Email: IGP&I
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: This document has been produced by the thirteen P&I Clubs which are members of the International Group of P&I Clubs in order to answer a number of questions that are frequently asked about P&I Club cover relating to the vaccination of seafarers.
Weblinks: https://www.igpandi.org/article/frequently-asked-questions-about-crew-vaccinationsDetails: July 12
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Slow Vaccines for Seafarers Threaten to Worsen Shipping Chaos
Phone: K Oanh Ha, Ann Koh, Claire Jiao
Email: Bloomberg
Provider: Vaccination, International Chamber of Shipping, Gard P&I, ICMA,Maersk, Philippines, Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd.,
Additional Information: \"Global vaccinations of seafarers are going too slowly to prevent outbreaks on ships from causing more trade disruptions, endangering maritime workers and potentially slowing economies trying to pull out of pandemic slowdowns.\"
Weblinks: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-12/shipping-chaos-not-going-away-with-most-seafarers-unvaccinatedDetails: Tue Jul 13 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: A Slow Start to Seafarer Vaccines Risks More Shipping Delays
Phone: James Mayger
Email: Bloomberg
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Like most things tied to ocean shipping these days, global vaccinations of seafarers are hitting plenty of snags that are creating costly delays.Efforts around the world to inoculate the crews of cargo vessels against Covid-19 are going too slowly to prevent on-board outbreaks from causing more trade disruptions, endangering both maritime workers and economies dependent on international commerce to pull them out of pandemic slowdowns.Infections on ships could further harm already strained global supply chains, just as the U.S. and Europe start to recover and companies start stocking up for Christmas.
Weblinks: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-07-13/supply-chain-latest-slow-start-to-seafarer-vaccines-risks-more-ship-delaysDetails: Jul 16
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: WHO SAGE Roadmap For Prioritizing Uses Of COVID-19 Vaccines In The Context Of Limited Supply
Phone: WHO
Provider: Vaccination, WHO
Additional Information: Table 1 (page 11) - \"Stage II (limited vaccine availability, for 11-20% of national population) - Seafarers and air crews who work on vessels that carry goods and no passengers, with special attention to seafarers who are stranded at sea and preventedfrom crossing international borders for crew change due to travel restrictions (57) (A2) (A3) (B1) (C1) (D1)\"
Weblinks: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-sage-roadmap-for-prioritizing-uses-of-covid-19-vaccines-in-the-context-of-limited-supplyDetails: July 17
Vaccine: Crew Change
Contact: The global shipping crisis and labor shortages may get worse because of the slow vaccine rollout for seafarers, say experts
Phone: Zahra Tayeb
Email: Business Insider
Provider: Crew Change Crisis, ICS
Additional Information: \"ICS estimates only 35,000-40,000 seafarers are vaccinated — 2.5% of the global pool of maritime workers. [...] Those down the supply chain must be prepared for further disruption in the critical run-up to Christmas.\"
Weblinks: https://www.businessinsider.com/shipping-crisis-labor-shortage-covid-seafarers-maritime-workers-vaccines-2021-7Details: July 20
Vaccine: Crew Change
Contact: SOS: Stranded and shattered seafarers threaten global supply lines
Phone: Jonathan Saul, Roslan Khasawneh
Email: Reuters
Provider: COVID-19, Vaccination, Crew Change
Additional Information: \"Most seafarers come from developing nations that have struggled to secure adequate vaccination supplies, leaving many in the maritime industry low on the priority list. Governments with significant access to vaccines have a \"moral responsibility\" towards seafarers, said the ICS's Platten. \"They must follow the lead of the U.S. and the Netherlands and vaccinate non-native crews delivering goods to their ports. They must prioritise seafarer vaccination,\" he added.\"
Weblinks: https://www.reuters.com/world/sos-stranded-shattered-seafarers-threaten-global-supply-lines-2021-07-20/Details: July 22
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: IMO welcomes WHO vaccine roadmap seafarer prioritization
Phone: IMO
Email: International Maritime Organization
Provider: Vaccination, IMO, WHO
Additional Information: IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has welcomed the World Health Organization's decision to name seafarers as one of the groups of transportation workers that should be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination in instances of limited supplies. The updated guidance for Stage II of its vaccine roadmap from the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) states: \"Seafarers and air crews who work on vessels that carry goods and no passengers, with special attention to seafarers who are stranded at sea and prevented from crossing international borders for crew change due to travel restrictions.\"
Weblinks: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-1629.aspxDetails: Mon Jul 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination of Seafarers
Phone: Press Release
Email: ITF Seafarers
Provider: Vaccination, ITF, IMEC
Additional Information: \"The International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic worked closely together to ensure that seafarers are kept safe from the coronavirus and that crew change continues with minimum disruption.Throughout the pandemic seafarers have ensured that the global supply chain continued to deliver goods despite the restrictions, and it is essential that these key workers are prioritised when it comes to lifesaving vaccines.Several vaccines have now been authorised in different countries and more are gaining official authorisation on a regular basis.Some countries have already started mass vaccination campaigns and, when stocks allow it are also vaccinating foreign seafarers in their ports. The United States lead the way but were soon joined by countries like Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Cyprus and the UK amongst others.In the global fight against Covid-19, vaccination is a key. Therefore, IMEC and ITF strongly recommend to seafarers to get vaccinated and for companies to ensure that the seafarers that want to be vaccinated are allowed to do so when this is possible.The following links from International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) and North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) provides lists where vaccines may be available to seafarers:ICMA: https://icma.as/vaccines/NAMMA: https://namma.org/vaccines/\"
Weblinks: https://itfseafarers.org/en/news/vaccination-seafarersDetails: Wed Jul 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ECSA and ETF welcome WHO decision to prioritise seafarers’ vaccination
Phone: ECSA
Email: Press Release
Provider: ECSA, ETF
Additional Information: On July 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released its updated guidance for the organisation's vaccine roadmap in order to provide a framework for overall programme priorities, listing seafarers on cargo ships as a key group that should be prioritised in the case of limited supplies. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) - which had repeatedly advocated for a fair global distribution of vaccines as to include seafarers - praised the WHO recommendations.ECSA and ETF welcome the WHO updated guidance, in line with their previous calls for seafarers’ priority access to vaccination and praise the initiatives already in place in a number of European countries. However, more needs to be done and ECSA and ETF are urging the remaining EU Member States to follow suit.
Weblinks: https://www.ecsa.eu/news/ecsa-and-etf-welcome-who-decision-prioritise-seafarers-vaccinationDetails: Thu Jul 29 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination, COVID-19
Contact: Industry and governments urged to boost vaccination drive as seafarer happiness drops to an all-time low since the beginning of COVID-19
Phone: Mission to Seafarers
Email: Seafarers Happliness Index
Provider: The Mission to Seafarers, Vaccination, Crew Change
Additional Information: \"The Mission to Seafarers has published the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report for the second quarter of 2021, painting a grim picture of seafarer welfare with overall happiness dropping to an all-time low since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.The report, which is carried out with support from Wallem Group and the Standard Club, revealed that seafarers were becoming frustrated of being constantly in the same environment due to the lack of shore leave.This quarter’s report has reflected the need for wider vaccination programmes via three core themes; the ban of shore leave in ports, the continued delay in keyworker status and, minimal movement for crew.\"
Weblinks: https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/news/industry-and-governments-urged-to-boost-vaccination-drive-as-seafarer-happiness-drops-to-an-all-time-low-since-the-beginning-of-covid-19Details: Wed Aug 04 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: COVID-19 Vaccination Rates of Seafarers a Threat to Marine Insurers
Phone: Tom Johansmeyer and Ted Gregory
Email: Claims Journal
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: COVID-19 once again poses an intensifying threat to supply chain resilience. Marine reinsurers and insurers, in particular, should stay vigilant as to the potential implications for the risk environment.
Weblinks: https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/international/2021/08/04/305180.htmDetails: Thu Aug 12 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Low vaccination rate among seafarers, suggests Neptune Indicator
Phone: Global Maritime Forum
Email: Press Release
Provider: Neptune Declaration, Vaccination
Additional Information: The first vaccination data from the Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator shows that only 15.3% of seafarers are vaccinated. Figures from ten top ship managers confirm that the crew change crisis continues to increase.
Weblinks: https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/press/low-vaccination-rate-among-seafarers-suggests-neptune-indicatorDetails: August 27
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Digital documentation of COVID-19 certificates: vaccination status: technical specifications and implementation guidance, 27 August 2021
Phone: World Health Organization
Email: WHO/2019-nCoV/Digital_certificates/vaccination/2021.1
Provider: Vaccination, Certification
Additional Information: This is a guidance document for countries and implementing partners on the technical requirements for developing digital information systems for issuing standards-based interoperable digital certificates for COVID-19 vaccination status, and considerations for implementation of such systems, for the purposes of continuity of care, and proof of vaccination.
Weblinks: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Digital_certificates-vaccination-2021.1Details: 01-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Neptune Indicator points to stabilization of the crew change crisis as seafarer vaccination rates rises
Phone: Global Maritime Forum
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The September Indicator has another bright spot. The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change calls for seafarers to be recognized as key workers and given priority access to Covid-19 vaccines. New numbers suggest that programs set up to offer vaccines to international seafarers, especially in the US and some European countries, are starting to kick in. The September Indicator shows that the aggregate percentage of seafarers who have been vaccinated has risen from 15.3% in August to 21.9% in September.It is very encouraging to see that the number of seafarers who have been vaccinated has increased by 6.6 percentage points in the last month. But there is room for improvement. Vaccination rates remain behind large shipping nations in Europe, North America and Asia where more than 50 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, says Kasper Sogaard
Weblinks: https://www.globalmaritimeforum.org/press/neptune-indicator-points-to-stabilization-of-the-crew-change-crisis-as-seafarer-vaccination-rate-risesDetails: September 13
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Industry mulls compulsory vaccinatino
Phone: Michelle Wiese Bockman
Email: Lloyd’s List
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: SHIPMANAGERS, owners and flag states are considering compulsory vaccinations for seafarers once global rollouts have given all crew the opportunity to be jabbed against coronavirus.An estimated 25% of the world’s 1.4m crew have been vaccinated while about a third are reluctant, industry representatives told two conferences in London for London International Shipping Week.
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1138186/Industry-mulls-compulsory-seafarer-vaccinationDetails: September 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination and global cooperation key to solving crew change crisis
Phone: Marcus hand
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The panel – an Industry dialogue: proactive and practical solutions for the crewing crisis – held on the third day of Sea Asia 2021 sought to find solutions to the crew change crisis beyond the actions of individual companies, and even those of individual states. It was chaired by David Loosley, Secretary General and CEO of Bimco, who said: ‘Despite the challenges our industry, of course, has adapted to the unpredictability, the everchanging landscape and implemented some very clever workaround solutions. But this is a temporary way of working, it is not sustainable.’In terms of ensuring both safer crew change and working environment for seafarers vaccination has been regarded as key for some time now, however, as of the start of September just 21.9 per cent of seafarers had been vaccinated according to the Neptune Indicator monthly study.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/vaccination-and-global-cooperation-key-solving-crew-change-crisisDetails: September 24
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarer access to medical care a matter of life and death
Phone: IMO
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Governments are urged to prioritize seafarers in their national COVID-19 vaccination programmes, in accordance with the WHO SAGE Roadmap for Prioritizing uses of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Context of Limited Supplies, as updated on 16 July 2021, and to offer WHO-approved Emergency Use Listing (EUL) vaccines to ensure their vaccination status is recognized internationally. The list of WHO-approved EUL vaccines is accessible at WHO. The ILO and IMO heads also encourage Governments to recognize the role other marine personnel play in facilitating global trade and, wherever possible, to also vaccinate them on a priority basis. Information received by IMO and ILO indicates that 24 countries have thus far answered the clarion call by implementing seafarer vaccination programmes, or signaling their intent to do so, in designated ports within their jurisdictions. A list of these countries and their constituent ports is accessible at ICMA The joint statement says: -We are extremely grateful to these countries but urge more to step forward to accelerate, in particular, the vaccination of seafarers serving international shipping. Government agencies, industry, labour and seafarer welfare groups continue to work assiduously to facilitate and /or deliver vaccines for seafarers. However, much remains to be done. We shall continue to work with our sister UN agencies, Governments and industry bodies to address the ongoing needs of seafarers and to safeguard their basic rights, so that they may continue to facilitate the global economy.-
Weblinks: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/medicalassistance.aspxDetails: September 29
Vaccine: Supply chains
Contact: Joint open letter – Transport heads call on world leaders to secure global supply chains
Phone: IRU-IATA-ICS-ITF
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the maritime, road and aviation industries have called loudly and clearly on governments to ensure the free movement of transport workers and to end travel bans and other restrictions that have had an enormously detrimental impact on their wellbeing and safety. Transport workers keep the world running and are vital for the free movement of products, including vaccines and PPE, but have been continually failed by governments and taken for granted by their officials. Our calls have been consistent and clear: freedom of movement for transport workers, for governments to use protocols that have been endorsed by international bodies for each sector and to prioritise transport workers for vaccinations as called for in the World Health Organization’s SAGE Roadmap for Prioritizing Uses of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Context of Limited Supply. Heads of government have failed to listen, to end the blame-shifting within and between governments and take the decisive and coordinated action needed to resolve this crisis. This is why IRU, the world road transport organisation, IATA, the International Air Transport Association, ICS, the International Chamber of Shipping, and ITF, the International Transport Workers Federation, have come together to make an urgent plea to the world’s heads of government and the United Nations Agencies to remove restrictions hampering the free movement of transport workers, and guarantee and facilitate their free and safe movement. Our collective industries account for more than $20 trillion of world trade annually, and represent 65 million global transport workers, and over 3.5 million road freight and airline companies, as well as more than 80% of the world merchant shipping fleet. Seafarers, air crew and drivers must be able to continue to do their jobs, and cross borders, to keep supply chains moving. We ask heads of government to urgently take the leadership that is required to bring an end to the fragmented travel rules and restrictions that have severely impacted the global supply chain and put at risk the health and wellbeing of our international transport workforce. We also need the same urgent leadership to increase global vaccine supply by all means at our disposal, in order to expedite the recovery of our industries. We ask that our transport workers are given priority to receive WHO recognised vaccines and heads of government work together to create globally harmonised, digital, mutually recognised vaccination certificate and processes for demonstrating health credentials (including vaccination status and COVID-19 test results), which are paramount to ensure transport workers can cross international borders. We also call on the WHO to take our message to health ministries. Despite early engagement at the outset of the pandemic and issuance of guidance, health and transport ministries have not utilised it, resulting in the situation we face today. We need the WHO and governments to work together to ensure this guidance is accepted and followed. The impact of nearly two years’ worth of strain, placed particularly upon maritime and road transport workers, but also impacting air crews, is now being seen. Their continued mistreatment is adding pressure on an already crumbling global supply chain. We are witnessing unprecedented disruptions and global delays and shortages on essential goods including electronics, food, fuel and medical supplies. Consumer demand is rising and the delays look set to worsen ahead of Christmas and continue into 2022. We have all continued to keep global trade flowing throughout the pandemic, but it has taken a human toll. At the peak of the crew change crisis 400,000 seafarers were unable to leave their ships, with some seafarers working for as long as 18 months over their initial contracts. Flights have been restricted and aviation workers have faced the inconsistency of border, travel, restrictions, and vaccine restrictions/requirements. Additional and systemic stopping at road borders has meant truck drivers have been forced to wait, sometimes weeks, before being able to complete their journeys and return home. It is of great concern that we are also seeing shortages of workers and expect more to leave our industries as a result of the poor treatment they have faced during the pandemic, putting the supply chain under greater threat. In view of the vital role that transport workers have played during the pandemic and continue to play during the ongoing supply chain crisis, we request, as a matter of urgency, a meeting with WHO and the ILO at the highest level to identify solutions before global transport systems collapse. We also ask that WHO and the ILO raise this at the UN General Assembly and call on heads of government to take meaningful and swift action to resolve this crisis now.
Weblinks: https://www.ics-shipping.org/press-release/joint-open-letter-transport-heads-call-on-world-leaders-to-secure-global-supply-chains/Details: September 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Commissioner Valean: Vaccination campaigns for seafarers best way to show our appreciation
Phone: European Commission
Email: Video
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean used her annual World Maritime Day message to call for higher vaccination rates among seafarers, thanking those Member States running vaccination campaigns for seafarers of all nationalities. The message was also an opportunity to thank these “unsung heroes of the pandemic” once again for their sacrifices over the past 18 months, which ensured the arrival of everyday items in our homes and businesses.
Weblinks: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/news/2021-09-30-seafarers-vaccination-campaigns_enDetails: 30-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: IMHA interim position paper: Vaccination of seafarers against COVID-19
Phone: IMHA
Email: position paper
Provider: Vaccination, mixed vaccination, certification, registration
Weblinks: http://namma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMHA-interim-position-paper-Vaccination-of-seafarers-final-Oct-1.pdfDetails: September 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Governments Must Designate Seafarers Key Workers’, Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Access, Safe Crew Changes, Secretary-General Says in World Maritime Day Message
Phone: Secretary General
Email: United Nations
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: I renew my appeal to Governments to address their plight by formally designating seafarers and other marine personnel as “key workers”, ensuring safe crew changes, implementing established protocols and allowing stranded seafarers to be repatriated and others to join ships. These critical workers must have access to national vaccination programmes, and provisions should be made to vaccinate international seafarers at designated ports. Governments have a duty to comply with relevant international treaty obligations to render assistance to any seafarers in distress, including medical assistance, ensuring rights and needs of seafarers are respected. Looking ahead, seafarers will play a critical role helping advance shipping’s move towards ever higher standards of safety and sustainability, in turn helping the sector do its vital part in building a sustainable future for people and planet.
Weblinks: https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sgsm20939.doc.htmDetails: October 16
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: The difficulties face by seafarers during the pandemic
Phone: Jason Zuidema
Email: Live from CMA Shipping 2021
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Dr. Jason Zuidema, Executive Director of NAMMA, talks about the difficulties vaccinating the world's seafarers and the plight of taking care of the key workers that keep the global economy moving.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/maritime-videos-podcasts/difficulties-faced-seafarers-during-pandemicDetails: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Panel 3 – Crew Change & Vaccination
Phone: Apostolos Belakos, moderator
Email: Safety4Sea
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Panel 3 – Crew Change & Vaccination with Mr. Konstantinos Galanakis, Elvictor Group, CEO Mr. Michael Hughes, Standard Club, Claims Executive Mr. Arnold Javier, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, President Mrs. Katie Lea, V.Group, Senior Crew Management Partner Mr. John Panorios, Latsco Marine Management Inc, Deputy COO Mr. Christos Sialakoumas, Dorian LPG Management Corp., Crew Manager How effectively have ship operations resumed back to normal with crew vaccination? What are the best practices and where do problems still exist? Where do we stand with crew change figures and vaccination status? How would you assess industry stakeholders’ response on crew change crisis until today? What’s is next?
Weblinks: https://youtu.be/Cikd9_PRQVkDetails: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: The seafarers keeping the supply chain moving aren’t getting the vaccines they need
Phone: Aurora Alemdral
Email: Quartz
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: When the Covid vaccine became available in Smrutiranjan Nanda’s home state of Odisha, in India, he took it, getting the first shot in March, and the second in April. It was a relief. India was in the midst of a brutal wave of the virus fueled by the Delta variant, and he had lost his mother to Covid. He did not want to be infected.But by the next month, his assessment had shifted. 'I made a very big mistake,' Nanda said. Nanda, 49, is a second officer on container ships with a career spanning two decades. He had been inoculated with the India-produced Covaxin. In May, he found out that the World Health Organization had not approved Covaxin, which meant that in the eyes of border authorities, Nanda was functionally unvaccinated. His company canceled his assignment to board a ship.
Weblinks: https://qz.com/2079677/vaccine-issues-for-seafarers-are-worsening-the-supply-chain-crisis/Details: October 29
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: The Mission to Bring Vaccines to Seafarers
Phone: Falvey Cargo Underwriting
Email: MTS News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: For many of us in the U.S., receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is as simple as walking into a local pharmacy. However, getting vaccinated isn’t so easy for those who live and work on the sea. After all, how can seafarers access vaccines if they cannot leave their ship or port? That’s an issue the Mission to Seafarers (MtS) set out to solve.
Weblinks: https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/news/the-mission-to-bring-vaccines-to-seafarersDetails: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – List of global ports offering vaccinations for seafarers
Phone: IMO
Email: Circular Letter no.4204/Add.43
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: 1 The International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Organization, has compiled and is maintaining an up-to-date global list of ports offering vaccinations for seafarers, including foreign seafarers. The list is accessible at https://icma.as/vaccines/. ICMA has requested that the list be brought to the attention of Member States and international organizations by means of this Circular Letter. 2 The list is for purposes of compiling information only and is not intended to correct or replace any information provided by local or national Government authorities or any health care providers. Updates and questions can be addressed to Dr. Jason Zuidema, General Secretary, ICMA, at gensec@icma.as. Member States wishing to contribute to the List should contact ICMA directly at the above email address.
Weblinks: http://namma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Circular-Letter-No.4204-Add.43-Coronavirus-Covid-19-List-Of-Global-Ports-Offering-Vaccinations-For-Seafarers-Secretariat.pdfDetails: October 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Charterers push for higher vaccination rates among crews
Phone: Matt Coyne
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Some charterers are expecting 75% of crew members to be vaccinated, potentially creating issues
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/charterers-push-for-higher-vaccination-rates-among-crews/2-1-1095554Details: November 18
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinations are key to solving supply chain issues, says UN report
Phone: Declan Bush
Email: Lloyd’s List
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: GLOBAL vaccinations are the only way out of the supply chain chaos, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development. ‘We see some decline in the global freight rates from last week… but we do not see that there is an end in sight for the overall global shortage of capacity,’ said technology and logistics director Shamika Sirimanne at the launched of Unctad’s Review of Maritime Transport report. ‘What needs to be done is very simple: it’s the widespread vaccination and getting out of this pandemic is the only way out for all of us, for the whole world.’ Ms Sirimanne said helping vaccinate people in developing countries was a “very, very good investment for those who have excess vaccines”. About 41% of seafarers were vaccinated.
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1138908/Vaccinations-are-key-to-solving-supply-chain-issues-says-UN-reportDetails: November 22
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Tackling the challenge of recognising seafarer vaccinations
Phone: Panel discussion
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: With crew change set to continue being a challenge in 2022 the vaccination of seafarers and recognition of that vaccinated status are seen as a key issues by senior leaders from across the spectrum of the industry including unions, shipowners, and government authority representatives.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/tackling-challenge-recognising-seafarer-vaccinationsDetails: November 22, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Pre-planning of crew changes remains critically important
Phone: Ian Boyd
Email: MarineLog
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: But while kudos is due to those that have made special effort to boost vaccine rates, more still needs to be done. Developed nations should use their vaccine stocks to boost dedicated vaccination programs for seafarers passing through recognized hubs such as Singapore, Rotterdam, UAE ports and Houston. Regrettably, this is easier said than done, so pre-planning of crew changes remains critically important, as does the ability to adapt to changes in procedure at short notice.
Weblinks: https://www.marinelog.com/perspectives/pre-planning-of-crew-changes-remains-critically-important/Details: December 3
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Some sailors are getting vaccinated multiple times to comply with Covid regulations at global ports
Phone: Huileng Tan
Email: Business Insider
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.businessinsider.co.za/seafarers-taking-repeat-vaccinations-omicron-spooks-supply-chains-2021-12Details: December 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Omicron variant highlights ongoing need for seafarer vaccination
Phone: Eric Martin
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Data showing gains likely overestimates the rate of crew member jabs
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/opinion/omicron-variant-highlights-ongoing-need-for-seafarer-vaccination/2-1-1116216Details: December 10, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination efforts step up across the globe
Phone: Sam Chambers
Email: Splash 24/7
Provider: Vaccination, Panama, Belgium
Additional Information: The Ministry of Health (MINSA) with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) have begun the process of vaccinating against Covid-19 all seafarers arriving at Panamanian ports, regardless of nationality, aboard Panama-flagged ships, or other registries. Some 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca are available and will be applied in Pacific and Atlantic ports. The Panama Maritime Authority is in contact with the shipping agencies to get information from the vessels docking in Panama and determine the number of seafarers interested in being vaccinated. Elsewhere, following the inoculation of foreign and Belgian seafarers since June, Belgium is once again spearheading a booster vaccine campaign for these maritime workers starting this week.
Weblinks: https://splash247.com/vaccination-efforts-step-up-across-the-globe/Details: Dec 10, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Asian ports reject scores of vaccinated seafarers
Phone: Tomas Kristiansen
Email: Shipping Watch
Provider: vaccination
Additional Information: As one of the world's largest ship management companies, Anglo-Eastern has found that vaccinating even nine out of ten seafarers makes no real difference when it comes to crew changes in Asian ports. It has never been more difficult, says Chief Executive Officer Bjørn Højgaard to ShippingWatch.
Weblinks: https://shippingwatch.com/carriers/article13547930.ece?Details: December 15, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: WHO’s medical passport to be used by transport workers as proof of vaccination
Phone: Sam Chambers
Email: Splash 24/7
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: World Health Organisation director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus and International Labour Organisation director-general Guy Ryder have confirmed their organisations will form an action group with major transport bodies to ensure freedom of movement for international transport workers at a time where the crew change crisis is worsening. The commitment came after organisations and unions representing road, air and sea companies and workers met with Tedros and Ryder last week. They warned of the impact of new travel restrictions on transport workers and the already fragile global supply chain in the wake of the Omicron variant. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), have made urgent pleas for governments’ health departments to coordinate measures and avoid restricting the movement of transport workers.
Weblinks: https://splash247.com/whos-medical-passport-to-be-used-by-transport-workers-as-proof-of-vaccination/Details: Dec 23, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: An implementation guide for the management of COVID-19 on board cargo ships and fishing vessels
Phone: WHO
Email: Press Release
Additional Information: 3.7. Vaccination Despite the development of COVID-19 vaccines approved by WHO for emergency use listing (EUL) and the roll-out of vaccinations in most countries, ship personnel continue to face challenges gaining access to vaccination (32) (33). These include: • the storage and transportation requirements of some vaccines, which make it difficult for most vessels and some ports to store them onboard • the two-dose regime of most COVID-19 vaccines, which may impact the availability and timeliness of both doses as ship personnel travel from port to port • limited information related to the safety and efficacy of mixing different types of vaccines in the two-dose regime • limited vaccine supplies or challenges in the vaccine distribution and access in some regions • lack of documentation such as vaccine certificates and complex registration processes • prioritization of vaccines for the local population. In the context of mobility and international travel, WHO recommends that Member States do not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as the only pathway for entry to or exit from a country (4). The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization has developed a roadmap for prioritizing the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the context of limited supply. The group has identified seafarers as a priority group in Stage II (where there is limited vaccine availability for 11-20% of the national population) (34). This roadmap specifies that governments need to prioritize seafarers, along with other essential workers, for vaccination as soon as possible to facilitate their safe movements across borders and avoid situations where seafarers are stranded at sea. In countries where national deployment vaccination plans (NDVP) are being developed or updated, it is of paramount importance to obtain an accurate number of ship personnel and share it with policy-makers and partners involved in the NDVP development to facilitate vaccination of ship personnel. The key stakeholders and health facilities that provide COVID-19 vaccination services for ship personnel should be identified and assessed for readiness, vaccination capacity, policy and protocols. Ship operators should continue to strengthen their communications and collaboration with national health authorities. It is important to note that most fully vaccinated people have some level of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID19 disease, and are less likely to infect someone else. However, vaccines do not confer 100% immunity, nor they prevent transmitting the virus to others, and breakthrough infections may occur.
Weblinks: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Non-passenger_ships-2021-1Details: Jan 12, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Report: Crew Change Crisis is Waning, but Omicron Could Bring it Back
Phone: Maritime Executive
Email: Press Release
Provider: vaccination
Additional Information: Vaccination accelerates Seafarer vaccination rates are also showing a remarkably positive trend. Between December and January, the share of seafarers who were vaccinated jumped by 10 percentage points, bringing the total to about 60 percent. This is a significant improvement from last August, when just 15 percent of seafarers had received a full course. However, some seafarer nationalities still show an elevated degree of vaccine hesitancy, particularly among Eastern European and Russian crewmembers, the corresponding ship managers reported. There are also still vaccine availability issues in some regions, and access to booster shots is reportedly a challenge. For seafarers, getting vaccinated might not be enough to ensure freedom of movement. Two years into the pandemic, there is still no globally-accepted standard for vaccination, and different countries have different rules for which vaccines they will accept. Some nations also put time limits on the validity of a course of vaccination, restricting access for seafarers who had their shots more than six months ago, according to the report.
Weblinks: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/report-crew-change-crisis-is-waning-but-omicron-could-bring-it-backDetails: Jan 12, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Rethink needed over international vaccine acceptance
Phone: Susanne Justesen and Kasper Søgaard, Global Maritime Forum
Email: The Sea - Mission to Seafarers
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: For the past 20 months seafarers all over the world have been deeply affected by Covid-19, which has un- leashed an unprecedented crew change crisis. A key factor in resolving this cri- sis is to ensure that seafarers have access to vaccines. Recent months have fortunately brought about a steady increase in vaccination rates among seafarers. But to enable seafarers to live, work, travel, board and disembark safely, we need to work together to ensure that vaccination rates keep improving and that all vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) are recognised globally. At the Global Maritime Forum, we publish a monthly Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator to provide reliable data on vaccination rates. The Indicator is based on data from 10 top ship managers who are collectively responsible for more than 90,000 seafarers across all the major segments. The Indicator is therefore indicative, but likely to overestimate the actual proportion of vaccinated seafarers. Since we began reporting on vaccination rates four months ago, we have seen a steady increase in vaccine rates every month, from 15.3% seafarers having been vaccinated in August 2021, to 41% as of November 1, with an almost ten percentage point improvement from the month before. This positive trend is largely due to a number of ports worldwide now providing vaccines to non-domestic international seafarers. These ports are primarily located in the US, Europe, and more recently also in Singapore. But we need many more ports and authorities worldwide to make vaccines available to seafarers, domestically and internationally.
Weblinks: https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/the-sea/rethink-needed-over-international-vaccine-acceptanceDetails: Jan 13, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: International Chamber of Shipping: Make seafarers 'key workers' to ensure Covid vaccine access
Phone: Interview with Guy Platten
Email: CNBC Video
Provider: vaccination
Additional Information: Guy Platten of the shipping organization says countries should designate seafarers as "essential workers" to deal with logistical challenges the shipping industry will face amid the omicron Covid variant and Lunar New Year.
Weblinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=064ehF3xpIoDetails: Jan 13, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Overdue crew levels at record lows as more seafarers are vaccinated
Phone: Chichen Shen
Email: Lloyd’s List
Additional Information: Data from the Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator shows 3.7% of seafarers were still working beyond their contracts in the past month, which is the lowest level since the tally was first published in May 2021
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1139503/Overdue-crew-levels-at-record-lows-as-more-seafarers-are-vaccinatedDetails: Jan 20, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Solving crew-change crisis requires a better vaccination programme
Phone: Chichen Shen
Email: Lloyd’s List
Additional Information: THE new variant of coronavirus has presented fresh crew-change challenges that can only be solved by better seafarer vaccination programmes, according to Fleet Management managing director Kishore Rajvanshy. The highly transmissible Omicron strain has made the already fluid operational and regulatory environment even more unpredictable, he told Lloyd’s List. “The goalposts are changing so frequently and so drastically that you have to constantly keep on amending your procedures,” he said. One example is the increased risks of sign-on crew getting infected on their way to their ships. Several transits are now required for them to arrive at the destination port with direct flights decimated by the pandemic-induced travel restrictions worldwide.
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1139576/Solving-crew-change-crisis-requires-a-better-vaccination-programmeDetails: Jan 21, 2022
Vaccine: Crew change
Contact: Crew-change issues likely to persist amid travel restrictions
Phone: Jun Concepcion
Email: Lloyd’s List
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1139594/Crew-change-issues-likely-to-persist-amid-travel-restrictionsDetails: Feb 17, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination; crew welfare
Contact: Podcast - In Conversation with Carl Schou CEO of Wilhelmsen Ship Management
Phone: Marcus Hand
Email: Seatrade Maritime News - Podcast
Additional Information: Wilhelmsen Ship Management is expanding back into the tanker business and President and CEO Carl Schou talks about this and much more in the latest In Conversation episode of The Maritime Podcast. Carl explains to Seatrade Maritime News Editor Marcus Hand about the manager’s latest acquisition and its relationship with the MPC Group in Germany. Discussions also cover the bringing back of the Barber Ship Management brand for its tanker business and other growth that the manager has seen over the last 18 months. Carl and Marcus also examine the evolving picture with crew change and seafarer vaccination in the face of the Omicron variant. Looking ahead the conversation focuses on offshore wind and alternative fuels and the opportunities and challenges these will provide.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/maritime-videos-podcasts/podcast-conversation-carl-schou-ceo-wilhelmsen-ship-managementDetails: Feb 28, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination, crew change, essential workers
Contact: United Nations bodies call for further action to end seafarer crisis
Phone: UNCTAD
Email: Press Release
Additional Information: Four United Nations organizations issued a joint statement on 28 February calling for continued global collaboration to address the crew change crisis that at times during the COVID-19 pandemic has left more than 400,000 seafarers stranded at sea. The International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), UNCTAD and the World Health Organization (WHO) urge governments, the shipping industry and other stakeholders to scale up efforts to safeguard seafarer health and safety and avoid supply chain disruptions during the ongoing pandemic. The organizations note that as COVID-19 travel restrictions eased and vaccination rates increased among maritime personnel, the humanitarian crisis at sea showed signs of improvement before the Omicron variant appeared. According to the Neptune Declaration Crew Change Indicator, which is based on data from 10 major ship managers employing some 90,000 seafarers, the percentage of seafarers on board vessels beyond their contracts decreased from 9% in July 2021 to 3.7% in December 2021. But the share bounced back up to 4.2% by mid-January 2022. Following Omicron’s designation as a “variant of concern” (VOC), many countries quickly reimposed measures such as travel bans that have affected the world’s seafarers, most of whom are from developing countries. The UN organizations are concerned the positive trends observed before Omicron could be further reversed. “While the number of seafarers that remain stranded has decreased, it remains considerable and further efforts must be made to rectify the situation and alleviate the continuing crisis,” the statement says. Critical for global trade Over 80% of the volume of global trade in goods is carried by sea. And throughout the pandemic, the world’s 1.9 million seafarers have played a vital role in keeping ships moving and ensuring critical goods such as food, medical equipment and vaccines are delivered. But restrictions to fight the spread of the pandemic have meant many seafarers couldn’t leave ships. They remained stranded at sea far beyond the expiration of their work contracts and often beyond the default 11-month maximum period of continuous service on board, as required by the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006, as amended. Likewise, some seafarers have been unable to join ships to replace stranded crews, leading to a significant loss of income and resulting in hardship for them and their families. While on board ships, seafarers have also faced many other challenges that put them at increased risk or under increased stress. For example, they have often lacked access to testing and the personal protective equipment needed to keep them safe while working in a setting in which it’s often difficult to respect social distancing recommendations. In December, UNCTAD published a policy brief underscoring the need for stronger international cooperation to keep seafarers safe and global supply chains open amid the evolving pandemic. It highlighted that action to protect the rights and welfare of maritime shipping crew and their families would help support the economies of seafarers’ home countries and maintain the smooth flow of world trade. Such support would also help advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth. Calls to action Recognizing the critical role of the maritime sector in keeping trade flowing during the global fight against COVID-19, the four UN organizations call on governments, national and local authorities, and all relevant stakeholders, including employers, to take the following 10 critical actions. Provide seafarers with immediate access to medical care as well as facilitate their medical evacuation when the required medical care cannot be provided on board. Designate seafarers as “key workers”, providing an essential service, to facilitate maritime crew changes and safe movement across borders, and recognize relevant documentation for this purpose. Prioritize the vaccination of seafarers, as far as practicable, in national COVID-19 vaccination programmes and exempt them from any national policy requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination as the only mandatory condition for entry, in accordance with WHO recommendations. Provide or administer COVID-19 tests and appropriate PPE to seafarers, including PCR tests where necessary, to facilitate the identification of cases on board or at the port, and to facilitate the movement of seafarers, including shore leave and crew changes. Ensure the consistent application of internationally agreed protocols and standards, including those for seafarers’ travel and vaccination documents, coordinate appropriately, and take measures to avoid punitive measures, fines and excessive costs. Adopt the latest legal instruments, including the MLC, 2006 and the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185), and ensure their implementation. Implement the recently updated WHO sector-specific guidance for the management of COVID-19 on board cargo ships and fishing vessels, published in December 2021, which, among other issues, highlights the importance of non-medical interventions, such as the use of face masks irrespective of vaccination status. Provide, where relevant, public key certificates associated with any health proof to relevant trust networks, such as ICAO for international travel. Continue to collaborate to ensure that relevant guidance is regularly updated, in line with developments and evolving scientific insights; and mechanisms are in place to reduce and effectively respond to medical emergencies at sea. Undertake concerted collaborative efforts to keep seafarers safe and limit disruption to supply chains, as well as prevent the unchecked spread of emerging VOCs, which could prolong the pandemic and its wide-ranging socioeconomic consequences.
Weblinks: https://unctad.org/news/united-nations-bodies-call-further-action-end-seafarer-crisisDetails: April 19, 2022
Contact: The Perfect Storm: The Impact of COVID-19 on Shipping, Seafarers and Maritime Labour Markets
Phone: Hamburg Business School
Email: Publication
Additional Information: This research investigates macro and micro-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the shipping industry. More specifically, it assesses: The economic and regulatory responses to the pandemic, particularly those enacted by national governments. The impact of national public health policies, implemented to contain and mitigate COVID-19, on shipping labour markets and the supply chain. The effects of national policies on the international logistics network and the shipping industry, as well as on shipping’s longstanding commitment and contributions towards the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including in the context of global shipping employment. The devastating impact of the pandemic was unforeseen, but its potential effects were not entirely unexpected. The shipping industry had highlighted these in the previous decade, including through submissions to UN fora, following challenges faced by outbreaks on Ebola, Avian Flu and SARS. Moreover, in September 2019, three months before COVID-19 was formally identified, the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, a World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank initiative, raised concerns about the international community’s unpreparedness for a pandemic (GPMB 2019). All these efforts represented missed opportunities to establish robust preparedness policies for pandemics and other health crises, to protect global society and industries, including global supply chains and transportation networks. A more recent GPMB report (GPMB 2021) also highlighted some major shortcomings in the policy responses implemented to contain or mitigate the effects of the pandemic and concluded that the inadequacies of the response “started at the top”, emphasising also that while the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, World Health Assembly, G7 leaders and G20 leaders had convened various meetings, there is little evidence that these significantly impacted the trajectory of the pandemic, beyond formal declarations of intent. This was partly attributed to “dysfunction, division and competition among countries [which] increased vaccine inequity [and] contributed to the emergence of new variants.” (GPMB 2021, 23) From the shipping industry’s perspective, the pandemic highlighted how a healthy, highly skilled, and motivated workforce is needed to support the ever-increasing demand for goods and products transported by sea through a sophisticated supply chain network, which began to struggle at the peak of national restrictions to contain the outbreak. Two years of strain and pressure on seafarers have negatively impacted mental health and wellbeing. At the peak of the pandemic, over 400,000 seafarers were stranded on board ships, as governments overlooked or neglected their crucial role and refused to prioritise them for vaccination, immigration, and travel purposes, whilst an equal number of seafarers could not join ships as planned, to work and support their families. Some found themselves stranded at sea for over a year – far beyond their contractual terms, unable to disembark and cut off from physical contact with their loved ones. This was referred to as a kind of governmentally induced forced labour by unions (ITF 2020) and the ILO Committee of Experts (ILO 2020). It also had a major impact on mental wellbeing. Ensuring quality labour is the responsibility of employers, unions, national and international regulators. Due to the substandard treatment of seafarers, during the pandemic, the shipping industry is experiencing notable shortages in the workforce, which is expected to increase and place the supply chain under even greater strain.
Weblinks: https://icma.as/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Perfect-Storm-HSBA-April-2022.pdfDetails: May 31, 2022
Contact: Crew change, and Covid restrictions linger for seafarers
Phone: Marcus Hand
Email: Seatrade
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/crew-change-and-covid-restrictions-linger-seafarersVaccine: Vaccination
Contact: ICMA shares any information relative to seafarer vaccination
Email: ICMA
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.facebook.com/internationalchristianmaritimeassociationVaccine: Vaccination, COVID-10
Contact: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
Phone: IMO
Email: International Maritime Organization
Provider: Vaccination, IMO
Additional Information: Information and resources related to the IMO's work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weblinks: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Coronavirus.aspxVaccine: Vaccination
Contact: NAMMA daily shares photos and stories of seafarer vaccination
Email: NAMMA
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.facebook.com/maritimeministry
Kenya
Details: Wed Apr 14 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: COVID-19 VACCINE TO THE SEAFARERS
Phone: Kenya Defene Forces
Email: Press Release
Provider: Kenya Navy Medical Team, Vaccination
Additional Information: The Kenya Navy Medical team conducted a Covid -19 vaccination exercise to sea-farers at Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa on 13 April 2021.The exercise, which saw 100 seafarers vaccinated, comes at a time when cruise lines in the Indian Ocean have made the COVID -19 vaccination a mandatory requirement for the seafarers before setting sail on the international waters and entering foreign ports.
Weblinks: https://mod.go.ke/news-releases/covid-19-vaccine-to-the-seafarers/
Malaysia
Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: MOT, MOSTI AND KKM COLLABORATE TO EXPEDITE VACCINATION PROGRAMME IN TRANSPORT SECTOR
Phone: Minister of Transport Malaysia
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO), the transport sector is part of the essential services that continue to operate 24 hours 7 days a week to ensure that the people’s lives and the movement of goods and passengers are not affected. In view of that, the Ministry of Transport (MOT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Ministry of Health (KKM), has launched the Transportation Sector Vaccination Programme that covers maritime, aviation and land transport services. MOT had received approval from the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) on 21 June 2021 to implement the vaccination programme for more than 51,500 frontliners in the transport sector, namely seafarers, port workers, airport personnel, and those in land and rail transport services. Transport operators that are involved in this programme will contribute to costs of establishing the vaccination centre (PPV - pusat pemberian vaksin). The vaccination supplies will be borne by the Government. In this regard, the first vaccination programme for the transportation sector will start with the vaccination programme through the maritime sector private PPV managed by the Port Klang Authority (LPK) on 25 June 2021 at Dewan Kelab Sukan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK) in Port Klang, Selangor. This programme will involve 10,000 seafarers and port workers with a capacity of 1,000 recipients per day. LPK will also supervise the port workers while the Central Mercantile Marine Fund (CMMF) through the Marine Department of Malaysia (JLM) will manage the seafarers.
Weblinks: https://www.mot.gov.my/en/Announcement/MOT,%20MOSTI%20AND%20KKM%20COLLABORATE%20TO%20EXPEDITE%20VACCINATION%20PROGRAMME%20IN%20TRANSPORT%20SECTOR.pdf
Maldives
Details: Jan 11, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Designation of Seafarers as the "Key Workers"
Phone: Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Male' Republic of Maldives
Email: Marine Circular INT 2022/001
Additional Information: Marine Circular INT-2022/001 date 11 January 2022 - In line with IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.38 (25 March 2021) with regard to Joint Statement of IMO, ICAO, ILO, WHO and IOM calling on Governments to prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for seafarers. From the date of issue, concerned authorities of the Maldives will facilitate and prioritize seafarers' vaccination.
Weblinks: https://www.bimco.org/-/media/bimco/ships-ports-and-voyage-planning/crew-support/health/novel-coronavirus-2022/maldivesimocircular-letter-no4256add1.ashx?rev=59c59b50d3b645ba97c9c8ba2511c5cb&hash=097C1E9A84FE14569A6DE2E5653FA400
Malta
Details: November 24, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Go jab or go home: vaccinations on board?
Phone: Michael Agius
Email: Lexology
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: With vaccines now becoming more accessible, and with an increase in the number of persons eligible to receive vaccinations worldwide, the inoculation of crew has become a topical subject. How should, or better, how can a ship owner or employer operating a Malta-flagged vessel react to a seafarer who refuses to receive their covid-19 vaccine? The issue of forced vaccination is a complex discussion.
Weblinks: https://www.lexology.com/commentary/shipping-transport/malta/fenech-fenech-advocates/go-jab-or-go-home-vaccinations-on-board
Netherlands
Details: Wed May 12 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: The Netherlands starts vaccination program for seafarers
Phone: KVNR
Email: Koninklijke Vereniging van Nederlandse Reders (KVNR)
Provider: Vaccination, Netherlands
Additional Information: A vaccination program for seafarers will be started in the Netherlands in mid-June. All seafarers who work on seagoing vessels under the Dutch flag or under Dutch management are eligible for this COVID-19 vaccination program under the management of the Royal Association of Dutch Shipowners (KVNR). Thanks to this program, seafarers can safely continue their work on board seagoing vessels worldwide.
Weblinks: https://www.kvnr.nl/persbericht/nederland-start-vaccinatieprogramma-voor-zeevarendenDetails: Wed May 12 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Netherlands to launch tailor-made vax plan for seafarers
Phone: Nautilus
Email: Nautilus International
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Nautilus has welcomed a move by the Netherlands to prioritise seafarers for Covid-19 vaccination.All seafarers working on seagoing vessels flying the Dutch flag or managed from the Netherlands are eligible for the vaccination programme, which will be coordinated by the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR).Nearly 50,000 Johnson & Johnson single jabs will be made available to seafarers in a rolling programme from mid-June.Free vaccinations will be administered to seafarers regardless of nationality in ports and at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. The costs of organising the logistics and actual vaccination will be covered by the private maritime sector.
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/netherlands-to-launch-tailor-made-vax-plan-for-seafarers/Details: Mon Aug 02 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Rotterdam port starts vaccinating seafarers
Phone: NL Times
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: All seafarers in the port of Rotterdam can get vaccinated against the coronavirus from Monday. For this trial, the Rotterdam Port Authority is collaborating with the Arbo Unie and the KNVR, the maritime industry association, among others, ANP reports.
Weblinks: https://nltimes.nl/2021/08/02/rotterdam-port-starts-vaccinating-seafarersDetails: Thu Aug 05 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Rotterdam starts vaccinating all seafarers
Phone: Hellenic Shipping News
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/rotterdam-starts-vaccinating-all-seafarers/Details: Wed Sept 1, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Instruction to vaccinate seafarers in the Netherlands
Phone: KVNR
Email: Press release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Netherlands COVID-19 vaccination programme for seafarers working on Dutch ships was launched on 15 June 2021. From 1 September 2021 the scope of the programme will be expanded to all seafarers working on ships calling the ports of Delfzijl-Eemshaven, Amsterdam-IJmuiden, Rotterdam-Dordrecht-Moerdijk and Flushing Terneuzen. However, excluded are seafarers working on fishing vessels (except trawlers), government ships, yachts and ships not engaged on international voyages. Appointments can only be scheduled by employers or ship agents that are based in the Netherlands.
Weblinks: https://www.kvnr.nl/en/vaccination/startDetails: Sept 16, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Janssen COVID 19 Vaccine for Seafarers - Got my vaccine in Rotterdam • KVNR
Phone: KC Seafarer TV
Email: Youtube
Provider: vaccination
Additional Information: Dad was supposed to watch and share this vlog like he did to all of my previous vlogs. I know that he will be very proud of me cause her talkative daughter was able to interview a Managing Director. If he was alive, he would say. "Congrats Child, you are doing a good job. Godbless you." I even told him I will get the vaccine so that he will not have to worry about me getting the virus whilst onboard - visiting one port to another. But the day I got my vaccine was the exact day I found out that Papa was sick. I am still in great pain and I can't still believe we lost him due to Covid. May his soul rest in peace. Let us all please get vaccinated as the vaccine reduces your risk of infection both for you and your family and friends. Stay safe, everyone! God bless us all!
Also, please watch my COVID'19 vaccination story featuring The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners po. Salamat po! ♥️
Weblinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-SBRS9pjcw&ab_channel=KCSeafarerTVDetails: Jan 10, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Boostercampagne zeevarenden van start
Phone: KVNL
Email: KVNL Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Vanaf dinsdag 11 januari 2022 kunnen zeevarenden een boostervaccinatie krijgen in Nederlandse zeehavens. De boostercampagne is een uitbreiding van het bestaande vaccinatieprogramma voor zeevarenden dat in beheer van de KVNR wordt uitgevoerd door Arbo Unie in de Nederlandse zeehavens en door KLM Health Services op luchthaven Schiphol. Sinds de start van dit programma hebben bijna 25.000 zeevarenden hun basisvaccinatie (Janssen-vaccin) gehad.
Weblinks: https://www.kvnr.nl/nieuws/booster-campagne-voor-zeevarenden-van-start
Norway
Details: September 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Norway to vaccinate all foreign seafarers in Norwegian ports
Phone: Gregers Møller
Email: Scandasia
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Several European countries have recently opened up for all foreign seafarers to be vaccinated either at ports or airports and now Norway will follow suit and offer vaccines to all foreign seafarers in Norwegian ports.Vaccination of seafarers is crucial to solving many of the challenges seafarers and shipping companies have faced since the start of the pandemic. Many seafarers, especially from Asian countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia, fall outside the vaccination program in their home country and have at the same time been hit hard by travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. According to Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, it is an important measure that will be of great importance to foreign seafarers and the shipping companies that have been hit very hard by the combination of strict travel restrictions and lack of vaccine access for seafarers who sail internationally.
Weblinks: https://scandasia.com/norway-to-vaccinate-all-foreign-seafarers-in-norwegian-ports/
Panama
Details: November 6
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination offered to all seafarers on Panama-flagged vessels
Phone: Michele Labrut
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Panama President Laurentino Cortizo has announced all seafarers aboard Panama-flagged vessels will be able to be vaccinated when they dock in Panama regardless of their nationality. Some 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine are already available to start the process. The seafarers willing to receive the vaccine AstraZeneca, will need only to co-ordinate through the company’s local agent local in Panama who will inform the Panama Maritime Authority and the Ministry of Health.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/vaccination-offered-all-seafarers-panama-flagged-vesselsDetails: November 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Uso de dosis de AstraZeneca
Phone: Ministerio de Salud
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: http://www.minsa.gob.pa/noticia/comunicado-ndeg-637Details: December 7, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: PANAMA BEGINS VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 TO SEA PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONALITIES AND REGISTRATIONS
Phone: Press Release
Email: Autoridad Marítima de Panamá
Provider: Vaccination, Panama
Additional Information: The Ministry of Health (MINSA) in conjunction with the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) began the vaccination against COVID-19 to seafarers of any nationality, who are on board ships belonging to the Panama Ship Registry as well as those registered with other flags, which arrive at our ports. For this vaccination process, 300,000 doses are available from the pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca, which will be applied in ports located in the Pacific and in the Atlantic. In addition, they are in contact with shipping agencies to receive information on the ships that will dock and thus determine the number of seafarers interested in receiving their dose.
Weblinks: https://amp.gob.pa/notas-de-prensa/panama-inicia-la-vacunacion-contra-el-covid-19-a-la-gente-de-mar-de-todas-las-nacionalidades-y-registros/Details: December 9, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Panama offers vaccination to all seafarers
Phone: David Osler
Email: Lloyd’s List
Provider: Vaccination, Panama
Additional Information: Large number of doses set aside for vessels that call at country’s ports
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1139219/Panama-offers-vaccination-to-all-seafarersDetails: December 14, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 TO SEA PEOPLE IN PORTS OF PANAMA CONTINUES
Phone: Panama Maritime Authority (AMP)
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MINSA) continues the vaccination sessions against COVID-19 where crew members of the ships Maersk Salinas and Emerald Princess received their first doses. It is important to mention that for this vaccination process 300,000 doses are available from the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which will be applied to seafarers who voluntarily wish to be vaccinated without restriction of nationality, who arrive in our ports not only in vessels belonging to the Panama Ship Registry but also in those registered with other flags.
Weblinks: https://amp.gob.pa/notas-de-prensa/continua-vacunacion-contra-el-covid-19-a-gente-de-mar-en-puertos-de-panama/
Philippines
Details: Fri May 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Outbound OFWs, health workers' families now in top vaccination priority group
Phone: Gaea Katreena Cabico
Email: Philstar
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: MANILA, Philippines — The government’s task force on pandemic response has included more people in the top priority group for the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program, Malacañang said Friday. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said outbound overseas Filipino workers who will be deployed in the next four months are now part of the A1 group. The immediate family members of health workers will be included in A1 \"once vaccine supply becomes available,” he said.
Weblinks: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/05/28/2101453/outbound-ofws-health-workers-families-now-top-vaccination-priority-groupDetails: Sat May 29 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Solon seeks J&J vax for seafarers
Phone: Rio N. Araja
Email: Manila Standard
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Marino party-list Rep. Macnell Lusotan is calling for an immediate acquisition of Johnson and Johnson’s single-dose vaccines for the country’s seafarers and other land-based overseas Filipino workers to expedite their deployment.He said out of the total number of distressed migrant workers repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs since 2020, 48 percent were willing to be redeployed, adding there should be a vaccine that would not require a second dose to ease their application process.
Weblinks: https://manilastandard.net/news/national/355791/solon-seeks-j-j-vax-for-seafarers.htmlDetails: Wed Jun 02 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Group seeks more vaccination sites for seafarers
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination, AMOSUP, Seamen's Hospital
Additional Information: The Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) along with various stakeholders have called on the government to designate other vaccination sites solely for seafarers when the vaccination program starts this month.In a joint manifesto between labor and manning groups, AMOSUP President Dr. Conrado Oca expressed the union›s offer for the use of Seamen›s Hospitals throughout the country as vaccination centers for the seafarer›s vaccination program, but it still needs government support.\"We are ready to roll out vaccination in the AMOSUP Seamen›s Hospital, we just need the help of the government so that we can provide these essential workers with the vaccine.\"
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/02/business/maritime/group-seeks-more-vaccination-sites-for-seafarers/1801617Details: June 9
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: AMOSUP opens facilities for seafarer vaccination
Phone: Yashika F. Torib
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The vaccination program for Filipino seafarers will start rolling out this month with the Association of Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) opening its facilities nationwide as the venue of inoculation.Around 30,000 seafarers are to be vaccinated this June. The master list of vaccine recipients will come from the database of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).'We must be aggressive in carrying out the inoculation of our seafarers who are our country's economic frontliners and lifeblood of the global shipping industry,' says Conrado F. Oca, AMOSUP president.
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/09/business/maritime/amosup-opens-facilities-for-seafarer-vaccination/1802503/ampDetails: June 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarers prioritize Western-made COVID-19 vaccines
Phone: Zen Hernandez
Email: ABS-CBN News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: More than a thousand seafarers have been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine earlier. According to the government, seafarers will be given priority over Western brands of vaccine because their jobs also depend on it.
Weblinks: https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/06/17/21/seafarers-prayoridad-sa-western-made-covid-19-vaccinesDetails: June 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Over 1,000 seafarers receive vaccine shot in Manila
Phone: Tristan Nodalo
Email: CNN
Provider: Vaccination, Manila
Additional Information: Over a thousand seafarers took part in the government’s symbolic vaccination drive in Manila today. Authorities however clarify there is no favoritism in inoculating them with Western brands of COVID-19 vaccines.
Weblinks: https://cnnphilippines.com/videos/2021/6/17/Over-1-000-seafarers-receive-vaccine-shot-in-Manila.htmlDetails: Wed Jun 30 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Over 1,000 PH seafarers vaccinated during Int'l Seafarers' Day
Phone: Yashika Torib
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Manila
Additional Information: More than 1,000 Filipino seafarers nationwide received Covid-19 vaccinations in time with the International Seafarers' Day last June 25, Friday.500 seafarers were vaccinated in Taguig City, 550 in Manila, 150 in Davao, 93 in Iloilo, and 25 in Cebu.The vaccinations were spearheaded by the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP).
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/30/business/maritime/over-1000-ph-seafarers-vaccinated-during-intl-seafarers-day/1805137Details: July 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccines key to ending pandemic, opening economy
Phone: Ambassador Carlos Salinas
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination, Philippines, International Chamber of Shipping, AMOSUP
Additional Information: \"When the world slowed down as a result of the pandemic, seafarers did not stop but kept the supply chain going to ensure goods would reach their destination. As of July 17, 2021, more than 3.61 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, equal to 47 doses for every 100 people, according to the Our World in Data project at the University of Oxford. In the maritime sector, the International Chamber of Shipping estimates that only 35,000-40,000 seafarers-or just 2.5 percent of the global pool-are vaccinated. Considering that the Philippines provides some 460,000 seafarers or 25 percent of the global maritime workforce, more Filipino seafarers must be vaccinated to help contribute to the decline in infections across the industry. One hopeful note is the offer of the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) and other stakeholders to use Seamen's Hospitals throughout the country as sites for the seafarers' vaccination program. AMOSUP President Dr. Conrado Oca expressed the union's readiness to roll out vaccination programs in four AMOSUP hospitals dedicated to seafarer-members in the country's major cities: Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, where a good number of seafarers are located. \"We just need the help of the government so that we can provide these essential workers with the vaccine,\" Dr. Oca said, adding that \"Designating vaccination sites solely for seafarers will reduce the bottlenecks faced by the government and ensure that no workers fall through the gaps.\"
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/21/business/maritime/vaccines-key-to-ending-pandemic-opening-economy/1807825Details: July 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Marina gets 30,000 doses of Moderna vaccine for seafarers
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination, Marina, AMOSUP
Additional Information: \"The Inter-Agency Taskforce for Managing emerging Infectious Disease (IATF), through the intercession of Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez and Sen. Christopher \"Bong\" Go, has allocated 30,000 doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine exclusively for seafarers. Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator VAdm. Robert Empedrad, who requested the vaccine from Sec. Galvez and Sen. Go said the Moderna vaccine would be distributed this week in major vaccination sites throughout the country. Of this number, 15,000 are allocated for the 1st dose and another 15,000 for the 2nd dose. The Marina chief announced that the vaccines will be delivered to areas where a sizable number of seafarers lives and where the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union (AMOSUP) medical facilities are located.\"
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/07/21/business/maritime/marina-gets-30000-doses-of-moderna-vaccine-for-seafarers/1807985Details: Sun Jul 25 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: MARINA partners with the Villars to vaccinate Pinoy seafarers
Phone: BMPLUS
Email: BusinessMirror
Provider: Vaccination, Philippines
Additional Information: RECOGNIZING the advocacies of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar and daughter Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar in helping our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), MARINA has partnered anew with them for the upcoming Moderna vaccination rollout for their seafarers.In a letter, MARINA Administrator retired VADM Robert Empedrad of the AFP thanked the Villars for championing the cause of our seafarers especially for hosting the Pfizer inoculation of their seafarers last June 25 in the family-owned The Tent in South Global City, Las Pinas. A total of 1,086 seafarers were vaccinated.
Weblinks: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/07/25/marina-partners-with-the-villars-to-vaccinate-pinoy-seafarers/Details: Mon Jul 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Laoag kicks off mega vax drive for OFWs, seafarers
Phone: Leilanie Adriano
Email: Philippine News Agency
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: A mega vaccination drive for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers were among the priority groups for vaccination on Monday held at the Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL).With a total of 4,870 doses of single-shot Janssen vaccine allotted to Laoag residents from July 26 to 31, the city government assured there will be enough vaccines in the coming days.
Weblinks: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148267Details: August 3
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: OPVA sets up Cebu vaccination site for seafarers
Phone: John Rey Saavedra
Email: Philipinne News Agency
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: In response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to prioritize overseas Filipino workers and seafarers in the vaccination rollout, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) has initiated the establishment of the inoculation site for international maritime workers in Cebu.
Weblinks: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149163Details: Tue Aug 03 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: OPAV sets up Cebu vaccination site for seafarers
Phone: John Rey Saavedra
Email: Philippine News Agency
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: In response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to prioritize overseas Filipino workers and seafarers in the vaccination rollout, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) has initiated the establishment of the inoculation site for international maritime workers in Cebu.In a statement issued on Tuesday, OPAV head, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, said the vaccination center started operation on Monday as a result of several meetings with the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 7, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Amosup Seamen's Hospital, and Mandaue City local government unit.
Weblinks: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1149163Details: Sat Aug 07 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: 500 seafareres ng MARINA V nabakunahan gamit ang Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Phone: BNFM Bicol
Email: Brigada
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://brigadanews.ph/500-seafareres-ng-marina-v-nabakunahan-gamit-ang-moderna-covid-19-vaccine/Details: Sat Aug 07 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Almost 4,000 seafarers got Moderna and Janssen vaccines in Villar Tent
Phone: BMPLUS
Email: BusinessMirror
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/08/07/almost-4000-seafarers-got-moderna-and-janssen-vaccines-in-villar-tent/Details: Sun Aug 08 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Nearly 4,000 seafarers now inoculated
Phone: Macon Ramos-Araneta
Email: Manila Standard
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://manilastandard.net/news/national/361841/nearly-4-000-seafarers-now-inoculated.htmlDetails: Thu Aug 12 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Yellow card' for fully vaccinated travelers not mandatory, says quarantine bureau
Phone: ABS-CBN News
Email: ABS-CBN News
Provider: Vaccination certification
Additional Information: The yellow card issued by the Bureau of Quarantine to travelers is not mandatory and does not serve as an \"immunity passport,\" the agency said Thursday.An International Certificate of Vaccine (ICV) is issued to travelers going to countries that require proof that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, BOQ said, but the document does not serve as an immunity passport.
Weblinks: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/12/21/who-needs-an-international-certificate-of-vaccine-cardDetails: Sat Aug 14 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: 3,000 seafarers to get jabs in Las Piñas
Phone: PhilStar Global
Email: Philstar
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: At least 3,000 Filipino seafarers will be inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines this week at the Villar Tent, Vista Global South in Las Piñas, which according to Sen. Cynthia Villar is the government’s preferred inoculation site for overseas workers.Upon the request of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Villar family has facilitated the vaccination of the first two batches of 5,000 seafarers without cost to the national government.
Weblinks: https://namma.org/covid-19-vaccine-news/Details: August 20
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: K Line provides vaccinations to Filipino seafarers
Phone: Cichen Shen
Email: Lloyd’s List
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Employees and staff at K Line Maritime Academy in the Philippines are receiving injections provided by the Japanese shipping giant and its local manning partner
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1137953/K-Line-provides-vaccinations-to-Filipino-seafarersDetails: 01-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Shipping companies prefer fully vaccinated seafarers – ITF union
Phone: Yashika F. Torib
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) confirmed that several manning companies are indeed only hiring seafarers who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). We are aware of several companies which are recruiting fully vaccinated seafarers only for upcoming contracts, David Heindel, ITF's Seafarers' Section head said. Heindel added, however, that these companies are simply passing on the vaccination requirements of the transit countries or port states where the seafarers will join, operate or leave a vessel.
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/09/01/business/maritime/shipping-companies-prefer-fully-vaccinated-seafarers-itf-union/1813024Details: September 22
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination of seafarers underway - Marina
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has assured industry stakeholders especially the manning community that the government's vaccination rollout for seafarers nationwide is in progress and projected to gain momentum as work shifts to local government units (LGUs).
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/09/22/business/maritime/vaccination-of-seafarers-underway-marina/1815568Details: September 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Villanueva presses vaccination of all workers
Phone: Hannah Torregoza
Email: Manila Bulletin
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday, Sept. 23 said it cannot be denied that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the dynamics in the country’s employment system and, thus, the government and the private sector should now intensify their vaccination program. Speaking at the 2021 Congress of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), an employment service facility established in all Local Government Units (LGUs) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Villanueva emphasized the need for the vaccination of all workers, either by their employers or the government.
Weblinks: https://mb.com.ph/2021/09/23/villanueva-presses-vaccination-of-all-workers/Details: September 28
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: TUCP: Nearly 100,000 seafarers vaccinated
Phone: Dona Z. Pazzibugan
Email: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Nearly 100,000 of the country’s seafarers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 so far, boosting their chances to be rehired by foreign shipping companies.
Weblinks: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1493834/tucp-nearly-100000-seafarers-vaccinatedDetails: October 4
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Latest Pfizer vax allotted to seafarers, OFWs in Ilocos Norte
Phone: Leilanie Adriano
Email: Philippine News Agency
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Ilocos Norte on Monday said the latest shipment of Pfizer coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines delivered to the province will be given to seafarers and overseas Filipino workers who need to be inoculated immediately. A total of 12,870 doses of Pfizer vaccine and an additional 7,770 doses of Sinovac vaccine were delivered to the province on Monday.
Weblinks: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1155541Details: October 20
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Marina: 300,000 seafarers may have gotten jabs
Phone: CH
Email: The Manila Times
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator VAdm Robert Empedrad said that the government might have already fully vaccinated around 300,000 seafarers nationwide, including seafarers in the inter-island trade.
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/10/20/business/maritime/marina-300000-seafarers-may-have-gotten-jabs/1818974Details: Dec 16, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vice President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo visits the Vaccine Express center for Filipino seafarers at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021.
Phone: Photos
Email: Manila Times
Provider: vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGVLFhn7WsDetails: Jan 18, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination; Certification
Contact: Notice to the public on the circulation of a fake document titled “Guidelines for Recruitment of Non-Vaccinated Applicants”
Phone: DOLE
Email: Press Release
Additional Information: NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC The public is hereby warned of the spurious “Guidelines for Recruitment of Non-Vaccinated Applicants” found circulating the past days. The fake document used the names of the undersigned and Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Alexei Nograles. The Department of Labor and Employment and the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases have never issued such “Guidelines.” Private sector employers and those seeking employment are warned of this scam. Authorities are already tracking those behind the fraud for flagrant violation of Philippine laws and preying on workers, especially in this time of the pandemic, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. SILVESTRE H. BELLO III Secretary
Weblinks: https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/notice-to-the-public-on-the-circulation-of-a-fake-document-titled-guidelines-for-recruitment-of-non-vaccinated-applicants/?fbclid=IwAR1GqhA9NEHTsMoTha36FSAO2JGkEIaSk519bpFi9IGjKSfWnqmOEvFjsIUDetails: Jan 19, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Pandemic highlights lack of psychosocial support for seafarers — study
Phone: Sanley Abila
Email: BusinessWorld
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The pilot study, titled Left at sea and on land: COVID-19 and Filipino seafarers working in internationally flagged merchant ships, found a low vaccination prevalence (24.3%) among its respondents. It also found a majority did not have an increase in their food (64.7%), recreational (72.2%), and internet Wi-Fi allowances (46.4%) while working at sea.
Weblinks: https://www.bworldonline.com/pandemic-highlights-lack-of-psychosocial-support-for-seafarers-study/Details: April 20, 2022
Contact: Marina deactivates TWG on seafarer vaccination program
Phone: Yashika F. Torib
Email: The Manila Times
Additional Information: THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) officially deactivated its Technical Working Group (TWG) for the vaccination of Filipino seafarers onTuesday, April 12 through the signing of the Declaration of Project Completion. Marina's TWG on Vaccination was established to implement the inoculation of seafarers, frontline maritime workers, and their families at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It was spearheaded by the Deputy Executive Director of the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Office, Capt. Jeffrey Solon, in coordination with partner agencies, maritime stakeholders and associations.
Weblinks: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/04/20/business/maritime/marina-deactivates-twg-on-seafarer-vaccination-program/1840529Details: April 27, 2022
Contact: Galvez recommends 4th COVID-19 vax dose for seafarers, OFWs
Phone: Daniza Fernandez
Email: Inquirer
Weblinks: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1588563/galvez-recommends-4th-covid-19-vax-dose-for-seafarers-ofwsDetails: June 9, 2022
Contact: No quarantine for Filipino, foreign seafarers arriving at Philippines seaports
Email: The Philippino Times
Additional Information: Quarantine requirements for Filipino and foreign seafarers arriving at Philippines seaports have ended. The travelers, however, have to be vaccinated with at least three doses of COVID-19 jabs and must have tested negative for the virus.
Weblinks: https://filipinotimes.net/latest-news/2022/06/09/no-quarantine-for-filipino-foreign-seafarers-arriving-at-philippines-seaports/?fbclid=IwAR0LmPixFKgHXP2ZGkiTG0BCpavXIPHVsRdBKGs42s8Gt87YQOp5L6O9nsk
Philippines
Details: April 5, 2022
Contact: VACCINATIONS OF SEAFARERS WHILE IN HOTEL QUARANTINE
Phone: OSM
Email: Press release
Additional Information: Booster shots for COVID-19 slowly becoming mandatory in various ports and countries of destination has posed a certain dilemma for seafarers running a tight schedule to complete the required days for quarantine prior to embarkation. Nordic Medical Clinic (NMC) offers a solution to this predicament through vaccinations of seafarers while in hotel quarantine – which started last February 2022. Since NMC already has a team conducting room to room swab testing, why not include vaccination in the service? Highlights: A cold chain system for vaccines is maintained as clients provide NMC with the vaccine supply for storage and administration. A Smooth 4 step process from online registration to medical screening by Doctors is followed, the same amount of time it takes for onsite (clinic) vaccination – all within 30 minutes including 15-min post-vaccination monitoring and health education. Post-vaccination care hotline is set up through NMC Telemedicine for possible delayed side effects. We look forward to providing more holistic maritime health solutions to help our seafarers and contribute to our customers’ success.
Weblinks: https://osm.no/vaccinations-of-seafarers-while-in-hotel-quarantine/?fbclid=IwAR2QF6vf2mlIqt7cn9lPJy2LP8wg5hrEH6B5D4UZDNSqJ5MHguxQJnYtwVQ
Romania
Details: Thu Jan 14 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Sindicatul Liber al Navigatorilor (SLN) solicită vaccinarea marinarilor în etapa a doua a campaniei
Email: Wall-street
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.wall-street.ro/articol/Sanatate/266728/sindicatul-liber-al-navigatorilor-sln-solicita-vaccinarea-marinarilor-in-etapa-a-doua-a-campaniei.html#grefDetails: Mon Jan 18 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Navigatorii nu sunt incluși în etapa a doua de vaccinare împotriva covid-19
Phone: Cristian Hagi
Email: Constanta100%
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.ct100.ro/navigatorii-nu-sunt-inclusi-in-etapa-a-doua-de-vaccinare-impotriva-covid-19/Details: Mon Jan 25 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Navigatorii se vor programa pentru vaccinarea anti-COVID-19 doar prin intermediul grupului de WhatsApp
Email: Focus Press
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://focuspress.ro/navigatorii-se-vor-programa-pentru-vaccinarea-anti-covid-19-doar-prin-intermediul-grupului-de-whatsapp/Details: Wed Apr 14 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Navigatorii pot face rapelul mai repede
Phone: Crina Matei
Email: Scanteia Online
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Seafarers vaccinated with the first dose of Astra Zeneca can perform the booster in advance after only 4 weeks, in case they have to go on a trip, say the specialists. Early vaccination is carried out only in exceptional cases and not earlier than the 29th day, the minimum period set by the vaccine manufacturer, according to the package leaflet.In Romania, the booster at Astra Zeneca is administered at 56 days, respectively, 8 weeks, however, it seems that navigators can do it, faster, namely, after 4 weeks, if they go on a trip. According to the Astra Zeneca vaccine leaflet, the second dose can be given within 4 to 8 weeks of the first dose, as established in Romania.According to the specialists, in order to benefit from the early recall, seafarers must present themselves at the vaccination center with the following documents: certificate of departure for the voyage, airline tickets and / or boarding contract proving the departure of the voyage before the initial scheduled date for recall, request on one's own responsibility requesting the early recall.
Weblinks: https://scanteiaonline.ro/editorii-nostri-iti-recomanda/navigatorii-pot-face-rapelul-mai-repede/Details: Tue Apr 20 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Navigatorii români și criza Coronavirus. Despre vaccinare și drepturile personalului navigant
Phone: Cecilia Zagoneanu
Email: ZIUA de Constanta
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.ziuaconstanta.ro/stiri/interviu/ziua-live-navigatorii-romani-si-criza-coronavirus-despre-vaccinare-si-drepturile-personalului-navigant-745137.html
Saudi Arabia
Details: November 15, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinations for seafarers in Saudi Arabia
Phone: Transport General Authority and MAWANI | موانئ and Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: In line with the global joint efforts to support seafarers and International Maritime Organization the Transport General Authority and MAWANI | موانئ and Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia have provided covid19 vaccination to seafarers. For all seafarers working onboard Saudi flagged vessels and wishing to have the vaccination. In the following ports: Jeddah Islamic port, Jubail commercial port, King fahad industrial port in Jubail, Yanbu commercial port, King fahad industrial port in Yanbu.
Weblinks: https://icma.as/1638907234296/
Seychelles
Details: Wed Apr 07 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Health authorities in Seychelles to vaccinate foreign seafarers against COVID-19 following 2 deaths
Phone: Betymie Bonnelame
Email: Seychelles News Agency
Provider: Seychelles
Additional Information: Health authorities in Seychelles are working with local shipping agencies to vaccinate foreign seafarers on vessels fishing in the island nation's waters, said a top official.The decision came after two seafarers, a Malagasy and an Indonesian, died from COVID-19 last month. The two were from the Belle Isle tuna fishing vessel belonging to Reunion-based Sapmer company.The deaths of the seafarers in late March were the first among foreign crew members fishing in the waters of Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.
Weblinks: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/14630/Health+authorities+in+Seychelles+to+vaccinate+foreign+seafarers+against+COVID-+following++deaths
Singapore
Details: July 7
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore supports global initiative to vaccinate foreign seafarers: Chee Hong Tat
Phone: Clement Youngt
Email: The Straits Times
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Singapore's maritime sector will work with local and global stakeholders to vaccinate foreign seafarers, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat.The vaccination at Singapore's ports will use a separate pool of vaccines outside the national stockpile, and could include vaccine types not currently under the national programme, he said.
Weblinks: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-supports-global-initiative-to-vaccinate-foreign-seafarers-chee-hong-tatDetails: Thu Jul 08 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore working on protocol for international seafarer vaccinations
Phone: Marcus Hand
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination, Singapore
Additional Information: Singapore is working on protocol to vaccinate international seafarers against Covid-19 in a similar fashion to the crew change protocol developed last year. The city state has already vaccinated front line workers in the maritime and port industries, including foreign national seafarers who serve on vessels that operate in Singapore’s port waters such as tugboats and bunker tankers.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/singapore-working-protocol-international-seafarer-vaccinationsDetails: Thu Aug 05 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Ukrainian seafarer dies of Covid-19 in Singapore
Phone: Jonathan Boonzaier
Email: TradeWinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Death highlights urgent need for the expansion of vaccination schemes for seafarers
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casualties/ukrainian-seafarer-dies-of-covid-19-in-singapore/2-1-1048426Details: August 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore to offer Covid-19 vaccines to non-resident foreign seafarers
Phone: Justin Ong
Email: The Straits Times
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Eligible, non-resident foreign seafarers will have the option of receiving Covid-19 vaccinations in Singapore starting on Monday (Aug 30), said Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat.The Sea Crew Vaccination Initiative (Seavax) will offer Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna vaccines to crew who stay for more than 30 days and who work in the supply of essential goods or ferrying passengers.This includes those on board cruise ships docked in Singapore during the off-peak season, ships under repair in shipyards, yachts at marinas, fishing vessels, ship supply vessels and regional ferries.
Weblinks: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/singapore-to-offer-covid-19-vaccines-to-non-resident-foreign-seafarersDetails: August 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: SEAVAX programme launched for foreign seafarers to get COVID-19 vaccinations in Singapore
Phone: The Chestnut Post
Email: The Chestnut Post
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Foreign seafarers working in Singapore’s port will be able to get their COVID-19 jabs from Aug 30 at designated sites. These sea crew will have to pay for the vaccinations. The SEAVAX programme was announced by the Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat at the International Safety at Sea Week conference. He said with this initiative, Singapore will join the network of ports around the world that are offering the vaccinations to international seafarers.
Weblinks: https://www.thechestnutpost.com/news/seavax-programme-launched-for-foreign-seafarers-to-get-covid-19-vaccinations-in-singapore/Details: 31-Aug-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore and Queensland to vaccinate non-resident seafarers
Phone: Declan Bush
Email: Lloyd’s List
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Both Singapore and an Australian state government have announced plans to vaccinate non-resident crews to help reduce coronavirus transmission
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1138037/Singapore-and-Queensland-to-vaccinate-non-resident-seafarersDetails: September 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore Widens seafarer vaccination campaign
Phone: Sam Chambers
Email: Splash247
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Singapore is widening its vaccination programme for seafarers calling at the key Asian port city. According to port agency GAC, Singapore has announced that it will offer vaccinations to international ocean-going signing-on seafarers. Signing-on crew who will board their vessel within 24 hours upon arrival will be directly transferred to the vaccination centre upon arrival in Singapore and directly transferred to the ship after their vaccination. Vaccination will be offered to unvaccinated seafarers as well as seafarers who have taken their first Moderna vaccination shot 21 days before arrival in Singapore.Vaccination is voluntary and by informed consent. Companies will pay for the vaccination of their seafarers. The vaccination centre will commence operations on September 30.
Weblinks: https://splash247.com/singapore-widens-seafarer-vaccination-campaign/Details: October 1
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: SSA-led Industry Initiative Sets Up COVID-19 Vaccination Centre for International Seafarers in Port of Singapore
Phone: SSA
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), in collaboration with PSA and the Fullerton Health Group (FHG), has set up a seafarers’ vaccination (SEAVAX) centre in Singapore. This SSA-led initiative is supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) with funding from the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund. The SG-STAR fund was established by MPA and SSA alongside seafarers’ unions the Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS). In late 2020, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) joined the effort by contributing together US$500,000 to grow the SG-STAR fund to US$1.2 million for use on projects to uphold crew welfare and safety through the pandemic. Now the fund will be supporting a pilot programme to offer vaccination to oceangoing seafarers undertaking crew change in the port of Singapore. The centre, operational from 30 September, will administer vaccines to seafarers, starting with signing-on crew arriving in Singapore and joining vessels on the same day of their vaccination. Participation in the vaccination programme is on a voluntary basis. Companies and seafarers will need to submit their applications, seven days before the crew arrives in Singapore. This is to ensure compliance with the prevailing crew change protocols and vaccine arrangements.
Weblinks: https://www.ssa.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SEAVAX-Media-Release_1-Oct-2021.pdfDetails: October 4
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore starts industry-led vaccination pilot for international seafarers
Phone: Marcus Hand
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) in partnership with PSA and Fullerton Health Group (FHG) has set up of a vaccination seafarers vaccination centre in the country. The centre, which started operations on 30 September, is undertaking a pilot programme for seafarers joining vessels in Singapore, with vaccination on the same day they join the vessel. Companies need to submit applications seven days before the seafarers arrive in Singapore, and the scheme is on a voluntary basis.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/singapore-starts-industry-led-vaccination-pilot-international-seafarersDetails: November 16
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Singapore to provide at least 12,000 vaccine doses for seafarers
Phone: Marcus Hand
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Singapore is making available at least 12,000 vaccine doses for international seafarers for the next phase of its crew vaccination programme.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/singapore-provide-least-12000-vaccine-doses-seafarersDetails: Feb 16, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Overcoming challenges to set up Singapore’s seafarer vaccination programme
Email: Seatrade Maritime News
Additional Information: The Covid-19 pandemic has seen the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) taking on roles normally outside its purview to assist the industry and its seafarers with crew change and vaccination. With Caroline Yang, President, Singapore Shipping Association’s appointment as the Singapore Ambassador of the Global Maritime Club created by Seatrade Maritime, we are taking the opportunity to share the experiences that SSA has had in setting up the Sea Vaccination (SeaVax) programme for international seafarers onboard vessels calling at the global hub port for cargo operations, bunkering and repairs. While operational matters concerning seafarers are not something that SSA would normally involve itself, the SSA anticipated that if this wasn’t addressed, it will lead to repercussions for the shipping trade and also affect the entire maritime industry in Singapore. The SSA moved quickly and led a workgroup to in 2020 to develop a protocol to facilitate safe and responsible crew changes during the pandemic.
Weblinks: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/overcoming-challenges-set-singapores-seafarer-vaccination-programme
South Africa
Details: September 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccination of Foreign Seafarers in South African Ports
Phone: SAMSA
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: This marine notice serves to inform foreign seafarers in South African ports that they are eligible for vaccination and further provides guidelines to be followed in order to get vaccinated in South African ports
Weblinks: http://namma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/MN-19-21.pdf
United Kingdom
Details: Thu May 20 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: UK government must support ILO resolutions on seafarer vaccination, say Nautilus and UK Chamber of Shipping
Phone: Nautilus
Email: Nautilus International
Provider: Vaccination, ILO, Nautilus, ICS
Additional Information: Nautilus International and the UK Chamber of Shipping (UKCS) have written a joint letter to Maritime Minister Robert Courts MP, asking that the UK follow the recommendations of the ILO Special Tripartite Committee (STC) on vaccinations for seafarers.The STC, which consists of representatives from governments, industry and seafarers, met between 19-23 April 2021. It passed resolutions that call on states to provide seafarers with priority access to Covid-19 vaccinations at the earliest opportunity, and to establish international vaccination hubs for seafarers in suitable ports.
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/uk-government-must-support-ilo-resolutions-on-seafarer-vaccination-say-nautilus-and-uk-chamber-of-shipping/Details: Thu May 27 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Hook, line and vaccinators – first COVID vaccine pop-up clinic for fishermen
Email: NHS Kernow
Provider: Vaccination, Fishers
Additional Information: More than 90 fishermen turned up for the first pop-up clinic in the Duchy dedicated to delivering the vaccine to fishermen, held in Newlyn yesterday (Wednesday 26 May).The clinic was organised by Atlantic Medical Group, the SeaFit programme, Cornwall Council’s Healthy Cornwall team and NHS Kernow, who recognise it’s not always easy for fishermen to be able to book appointment because of the nature of their work.
Weblinks: https://www.kernowccg.nhs.uk/fishermen-covid-vaccine-pop-up-clinic/Details: July 19
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Azamara Crew Vaccinated at Glasgow, Scotland
Email: CrewCenter
Provider: Vaccination, Cruises, On-board, J&J
Additional Information: \"The crew on all three Azamara ships docked at King George V Dock received Johnson & Johnson single-shot COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccination was organized onboard the ships.\"
Weblinks: https://crew-center.com/azamara-crew-vaccinated-glasgow-scotlandDetails: Fri Jul 23 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Shipping seeks clarity on UK's seafarer vaccine policy
Phone: Declan Bush
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination, UK Chamber of Shipping, United Kingdom
Additional Information: The UK Chamber of Shipping has asked the government to better publicise the fact it is vaccinating foreign seafarers
Weblinks: https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1137660/Shipping-seeks-clarity-on-UKs-seafarer-vaccine-policyDetails: Mon Jul 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Unions Ask UK to Formalize Availability of COVID Vaccine for Seafarers
Email: Maritime Executive
Provider: Vaccination, Nautilus International, UK Chamber of Shipping
Additional Information: Unions Ask UK to Formalize Availability of COVID Vaccine for SeafarersInternational organizations are continuing to call on countries with a supply of COVID-19 vaccines to expand their efforts to include seafarers marking port calls regardless of the seafarers’ nationality. Since the beginning of the global vaccination roll out, one of the biggest challenges is to reach crew members who are spending months at sea and by the nature of their work at both rarely in their home countries nor back at ports on regular intervals for the two-dose regiments.
Weblinks: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/unions-ask-uk-to-formalize-availability-of-covid-vaccine-for-seafarersDetails: Wed Jul 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: UK charity QVSR plays its part in a global vaccination initiative for visiting seafarers
Phone: Nautilus
Email: Nautilus International
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/telegraph/uk-charity-qvsr-plays-its-part-in-a-global-vaccination-initiative-for-visiting-seafarers/Details: Sun Aug 01 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarers charity wants vaccine for people who are visiting UK ports
Phone: Tom Martin
Email: Champion Newspapers
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: THE CEO of a Crosby-based ecumenical charity has backed an appeal to the UK Government to offer Covid-19 vaccinations to all seafarers visiting British ports. John Wilson, of Liverpool Seafarers Centre, wants any nationality serving on ships visiting the UK to be entitled to vaccination here without needing to register with a GP. Up to now, seafarer vaccinations in UK ports have been arranged at a regional level between local health authorities, shipping companies and seafarer welfare organisations including LSC, which supports around 50,000 seafarers passing through Merseyside's ports each year.
Weblinks: https://www.champnews.com/story.asp?id=GN4_ART_1852279Details: Wed Aug 04 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Covid jabs given to 100 seafarers in Cornwall
Phone: BBC News South West
Email: BBC
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Covid jabs have been given to 100 seafarers that have been on ships and boats for much of the pandemic.The NHS has worked with the Cornwall Port Health Authority to offer the vaccines to crews that have entered Cornish waters, regardless of their nationality.Crew members of the polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, have been vaccinated as part of the project.The scheme started in May, working with crews in Falmouth and Fowey.
Weblinks: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-58085710Details: August 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Portsmouth Covid vaccinations: Cruise ship sailors get the jab at sessions run at Portsmouth International Port
Phone: Tom Morton
Email: The News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: On Saturday, 55 crew members on board Noble Caledonia ships Island Sky and Hebridean Sky received their first vaccine doses, following vaccination sessions for crews from cargo ships, which come into Portsmouth with fresh fruit and vegetables destined for UK supermarkets.
Weblinks: https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/health/coronavirus/portsmouth-covid-vaccinations-cruise-ship-sailors-get-the-jab-at-sessions-run-at-portsmouth-international-port-3341281Details: August 12
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port staff and seafarers get vaccinated at Port of Liverpool
Phone: Tony McDonough
Email: Liverpool Business news
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Port of Liverpool owner Peel Ports has partnered with the NHS to offer COVID-19 vaccines to people working within the port and to seafarers from overseas.
Weblinks: https://lbndaily.co.uk/port-staff-seafarers-get-vaccinated-port-liverpool/Details: 02-Sep-21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: COIVD-19 Vaccination Programme: National Policy on Offering COVID-19 Vaccinations to Migrant Seafarers in Scotland
Phone: Dr. Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer Directorate
Email: Scottish Government
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: This letter provides a further update on the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination program.
Weblinks: https://icma.as/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Chief-Medical-Officer-final-version-SGHD202122-COVID-19-Vaccination-Programme-for-Migrant-Seafarers-2-September-2021docx.pdfDetails: October 7
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Why compulsory Covid vaccination for seafarers is a good idea
Phone: John Wilson
Email: The Tablet
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The shipping industry is considering whether to make Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory for the world’s 1.6 million seafarers – and I, for one, believe it to be a positive move. This was a hot topic at London International Shipping Week recently. Delegates heard stories of how seafarers in certain parts of the world had been prevented from receiving life-saving treatment after falling ill, while others were forced to continue sailing with a dead colleague in the ship’s cold room. I can only imagine what these people have gone through.
Weblinks: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/blogs/1/1887/why-compulsory-covid-vaccination-for-seafarers-is-a-good-idea-Details: Dec 22, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Visiting seafarers urged to get vaccinated
Email: Nautilus International
Additional Information: Nautilus International is urging all visiting seafarers to the UK to get vaccinated against Covid-19 following confirmation of access to services from the Department of Health and Social Care. Seafarers of any nationality serving on ships visiting the UK are entitled to vaccination in the UK without needing an NHS number or to register with a GP. Many visiting seafarers have benefited from this, notably in Southampton, Tilbury, Hull, Liverpool and Fowey, where shipping companies and/or seafarer welfare organisations have made arrangements with local health authorities. However, it was apparent that other local health authorities were unaware of the Government's policy, and the Union with the UK Chamber of Shipping, wrote to the Department of Health and Social Care for that to be addressed by government. 'The global shipping industry is very keen to ensure that the seafarers who perform their vital work on its ships have access to vaccination in places where their ships call, since many are unable to access vaccines in their home countries,' the letter said. Maggie Throup, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Vaccines and Public Health said: 'Whilst it would be expected that ships may have their own clinical staff, there are differences to the Covid-19 vaccines in comparison with other immunisations. These differences include the storage requirements and accessing the NHS IT system which document vaccine delivery. The NHS recommendation was therefore that vaccination should be delivered by NHS staff, but could be supported by clinical teams on ships.' Visiting seafarers are encouraged to approach their employer, contact their local seafarers centre or access an NHS vaccination drop in centre when in port No immigration checks are needed to get tested, treated or vaccinated for Covid-19. Vaccinated crew will be given a card with information about the jabs received. Meanwhile, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a ‘Get Boosted’ campaign to encourage all over 18s to get their booster vaccine (or first and second vaccines) as soon as possible. Boosters are recommended to protect against the Omicron variant. The latest data suggests Omicron is extremely transmissible, according to BEIS. New data suggests that vaccine protection is substantially reduced against Omicron with just two doses, but a third dose boosts protection to over 70%.
Weblinks: https://www.nautilusint.org/en/news-insight/news/visiting-seafarers-urged-to-get-vaccinated/Details: Jan 24, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination; Certification
Contact: MNWB writes to Vaccines and Public Health Minister
Phone: MNWB
Email: Press Release
Additional Information: The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) has issued a rallying cry to the UK Government to provide much-needed clarity on the certification process for seafarers who have been vaccinated. In a letter to the Vaccines and Public Health Minister Maggie Throup MP, the Board says seafarers must be given a certificate that proves they have been vaccinated to ensure they can work freely across the world and enable smooth crew changes. It comes as seafarers, who come from a variety of countries across the world, cannot gain vaccination confirmation as they are not NHS registered and are unable to use the official NHS Covid-19 App. While they may receive a handwritten card that confirms a vaccination, there have been reports of seafarers returning home and authorities not accepting their vaccination status - being provided with a different barcode to the rest of the UK population for proof of vaccination status. Consequently, this has caused huge amounts of disruption to the maritime sector.
Weblinks: https://www.mnwb.org/blog-page/mnwb-writes-to-vaccines-and-public-health-ministerDetails: Dec 28, 2022
Contact: POLB SEAFARER COVID-19 VACCINE PROGRAM DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Email: POLB
Weblinks: https://eput.nhs.uk/news-events/posts/eput-s-covid-vaccination-service-for-seafarers-recognised-as-one-of-the-best-in-the-world/
United States
Details: Nov 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Chaplains Innovate, Connect Seafarers to COVID-19 Vaccine
Phone: Cora DiDomenico
Email: The Lookout
Weblinks: https://issuu.com/seamenschurch.org/docs/thelookout.fall2021-final/s/14489609Details: April 30
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port Canaveral First U.S. Port to Support COVID-19 Vaccinations for Seafarers
Email: Cruise Industry News
Provider: Vaccination, Cruises
Additional Information: \"Port Canaveral is the first U.S. port to sponsor COVID-19 vaccine distribution to port workers and vessel crew members in response to a Florida Public Health Advisory approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, MD issued on April 29 expanding vaccine eligibility to include individuals who are in the state for the purpose of providing good or services for the benefit of residents and visitors of the State of Florida.\"
Weblinks: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24907-port-canaveral-first-u-s-port-to-support-covid-19-vaccinations-for-seafarers.htmlDetails: Fri Apr 30 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port Canaveral First Port in U.S. to Support COVID-19 Vaccinations for Seafarers
Phone: Port Canaveral
Email: Press Release
Provider: Canaveral, Florida
Additional Information: Port Canaveral is the first U.S. port to sponsor COVID-19 vaccine distribution to port workers and vessel crew members in response to a Florida Public Health Advisory approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, MD issued on April 29 expanding vaccine eligibility to include individuals who are in the state for purpose of providing goods or services for the benefit of residents and visitors of the State of Florida.
Weblinks: https://www.portcanaveral.com/About/Recent-News/Port-Canaveral-First-Port-in-U-S-to-Support-COVID-Details: May 3
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Hundreds of cruise ship crew members get vaccinated in Galveston ahead of anticipated cruising ban lift
Phone: Deven Clarke
Email: Click2Houston
Provider: Vaccination, Cruises
Additional Information: \"With the help of the University of Texas Medical Branch, 100% of cruise ship staff members currently on board are being vaccinated, that included the captain of the Carnival Vista, Salvatore Mangraviti. Duffy said they’ve been working on safety practices for months, and it seems to be helping to persuade the CDC to lift the ban on cruises that extends until the fall.\"
Weblinks: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2021/05/04/hundreds-of-cruise-ship-crew-members-get-vaccinated-in-galveston-ahead-of-anticipated-cruising-ban-lift/Details: May 6
Vaccine: Crew Change
Contact: Apostleship of the Sea continues to aid impacted seafarers in Baltimore
Phone: Lisa Harlow
Email: Catholic Review
Provider: Crew Change, Neptune Declaration, Stella Maris Baltimore, Andy Middleton
Additional Information: \"Middleton, who has had COVID-19 twice, and several volunteers regularly head to the Port of Baltimore to bring the crews religious items such as rosaries, scapulars and prayer cards, along with secular magazines, fiction books and puzzles – anything to pass the time. If the visiting crew is allowed shore leave, AOS will transport them in a van to pick up essentials, all while requiring face coverings and following social distancing protocols. Most often, AOS collects shopping lists and money, and does their shopping for them.\"
Weblinks: https://catholicreview.org/apostleship-of-the-sea-continues-to-aid-impacted-seafarers-in-baltimore/Details: May 12
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Boarding a freighter in the Soo Locks to deliver 5 doses of COVID vaccine
Phone: Robin Erb
Email: Bridge Michigan
Provider: Vaccination, On-board, Vaccine Hesitancy
Additional Information: \"The women sidestep cables and cargo holds and make their way through narrow steel-framed hallways. For about an hour, a sparsely-furnished rec room serves as a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic. They unzip a blue tote of first-dose Moderna vaccines, pull out paperwork, and go to work. [...] It didn’t take long: Just five crew members signed up for vaccine doses. Five. It’s an extreme example of the day-to-day battle that public health workers are now waging across Michigan to vaccinate hard-to-reach residents amid an ongoing health crisis.\"
Weblinks: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/boarding-freighter-soo-locks-deliver-5-doses-covid-vaccineDetails: May 13
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: 16 U.S. States take lead in international seafarer vaccinations
Phone: Nick Blenkey
Email: MarineLog
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reports that, to date, 16 states in the U.S. have begun vaccination programs for foreign-national crews of ships delivering goods to their ports. European countries are set to follow suit in the coming weeks, following successful vaccination programs for their own populations. These include the Netherlands. which is to start vaccinations for all seafarers, regardless of nationality, on ships flying under the Dutch flag from mid-June. To help governments and companies responsible for creating seafarer vaccination hubs, the ICS has published a Vaccination Roadmap, a 21-page document has information on vaccine eligibility, implementation, distribution, administration and legal issues.
Weblinks: https://www.marinelog.com/shipping/16-u-s-states-take-lead-in-international-seafarer-vaccinations/Details: May 14
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port Canaveral and State of Florida Establish an On-site COVID-19 Vaccination Center
Email: Port Canaveral News
Provider: Vaccination, On-site
Additional Information: \"Port Canaveral has worked with the State of Florida to establish an on-site COVID-19 vaccination center at the Port. Anyone ages 16 and older – including members of our local community, plus crew members of cargo and cruise vessels – are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at Port Canaveral. The walk-in, no cost, no appointment needed vaccine clinic is being operated by the Florida Department of Emergency Management at the Canaveral Port Authority’s Maritime Center\"
Weblinks: https://www.portcanaveral.com/About/Recent-News/Port-Canaveral-and-State-of-Florida-Establish-an-ODetails: May 16
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: International Maritime Center (IMC) Oakland Helps Provide Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines to Seafarers
Email: MARE Report
Provider: Vaccination, On-board, Port of Oakland International Maritime Center, ITF
Additional Information: \"Friday, May 14 was the first day of this pilot project. Thursday, May 20 will be the second vaccination clinic. Due to site limitations and Covid protocols, the clinic will be initially limited to administering approximately 100 vaccines per day to Seafarers every Thursday. We are hopeful this will lead to more clinics so all seafarers coming into Bay Area can be vaccinated and can experience our welcome of a stranger in our land which is our mission. This vaccination clinic exemplifies the hospitality and service to seafarers that is our goal at Port of Oakland International Maritime Center (IMC)\"
Weblinks: http://marereport.namma.org/index.php/2021/05/16/international-maritime-center-imc-huge-success-in-providing-johnson-johnson-covid-vaccines-to-seafarers-friday-may-14/Details: Wed May 19 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Crew jabs at Walmart: How the US is taking the lead on seafarer vaccination
Phone: Adam Corbett
Email: TradeWinds
Provider: Vaccination, United States
Additional Information: The first port of call for mariners in the US is now the nearest pharmacy as 25 states offer free immunisation
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/crew-jabs-at-walmart-how-the-us-is-taking-the-lead-on-seafarer-vaccination/2-1-1012192Details: May 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Stuck on their ships, international seafarers get COVID-19 vaccines aboard docked cargo ship
Phone: José Ignacio Castañeda Perez
Email: Delaware Online
Provider: Vaccination, J&J
Additional Information: \"Sailors aboard the Chiquita Passion cargo ship Thursday received their first and only dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in an effort to protect the crew in their international travels. Officials from the Delaware Division of Public Health alongside the Seamen's Center of Wilmington boarded the ship to inoculate a couple dozen crew members at the Port of Wilmington.\"
Weblinks: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2021/05/21/international-seafarers-docked-wilmington-get-covid-19-vaccine/5174417001/Details: May 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinations at Port Everglades Getting Shots to Mariners at Sea
Phone: Ellen Kennedy
Email: Port Everglades
Provider: Vaccination, Seafarers' House Port Everglades
Additional Information: \"Mariners aboard cruise and cargo ships docking at Port Everglades are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations through partnerships that include the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the Port, Seafarers’ House, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. Within the past two weeks, more than 1,570 mariners aboard some 25 cruise and cargo ships have been vaccinated. The vaccination program at Port Everglades will continue throughout June and is also open to all port workers and those who conduct business at Port Everglades.\"
Weblinks: https://www.porteverglades.net/articles/post/vaccinations-at-port-everglades-getting-shots-to-mariners-at-sea/Details: Fri May 21 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinations at Port Everglades Getting Shots to Mariners at Sea
Phone: Port Everglades
Email: Press Release
Provider: Florida
Additional Information: Mariners aboard cruise and cargo ships docking at Port Everglades are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations through partnerships that include the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the Port, Seafarers’ House, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.Within the past two weeks, more than 1,570 mariners aboard some 25 cruise and cargo ships have been vaccinated. The vaccination program at Port Everglades will continue throughout June and is also open to all port workers and those who conduct business at Port Everglades.
Weblinks: https://www.porteverglades.net/articles/post/vaccinations-at-port-everglades-getting-shots-to-mariners-at-sea/Details: May 21
Vaccine: Cruise Change Crisis
Contact: Seafarers in Baltimore face changes due to global impact of COVID-19 pandemic | Video
Phone: Kate Fischer
Email: Channel News Asia
Provider: Vaccination, Baltimore International Seafarers' Center, Rev. Mary Davisson, ICS
Additional Information: \"We've interacted directly or indirectly with seafarers who have been stuck on board. The longest time I'm aware of in my Baltimore ship visits was 19 months; in some parts of the world it's been worse.\"
Weblinks: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/seafarers-in-baltimore-face-changes-due-to-global-impact-of-14859204Details: Mon May 24 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Often overlooked Port of Savannah seafarers given the chance to be vaccinated
Phone: Blair Caldwell
Email: WTOC
Provider: Savannah
Additional Information: As vaccinations continue in the Coastal Empire, new efforts are under way to expand their reach to those coming in and out of our community.Monday a new partnership boarded a ship in the Savannah River for this reason, to turn the corner on COVID-19.“This vaccine for us is very important and we feel many things because now we feel more strong, more comfortable,” said Captain Idris Karahan, Master of the Yasa Flamingo.Captain Karahan and his crew of 20 seafarers not only delivered the ship with gasoline to Savannah, but they got something in return. A coveted COVID-19 vaccine that will help them after a difficult year.“They have not been allowed to go home,” said Captain Lux Lakshman, President of Viksniks Consultants, Inc. “Many of them are stuck on the ship for over a year so it is a big thing that once they get vaccinated now they can make plans to go home.”
Weblinks: https://www.wtoc.com/2021/05/24/often-overlooked-port-savannah-seafarers-are-given-chance-be-vaccinated/Details: Wed May 26 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port Arthur Strike Team taking vaccinations to homebound residents, seafarers in need
Phone: Monique Batson
Email: The News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Crewmembers on a liquefied petroleum gas tanker bound for the Port of Gibraltar are vaccinated thanks to efforts from the Port Arthur Health Department and the Port Arthur International Seafarers’ Center.“It was so fun,” said Health Director Judith Smith. “We actually went on the ship and there were 21 crewmen. The whole blessing is that these gentlemen were so happy to receive this vaccine because they were not able to receive it easily in their own country.”It was the first assignment for the health department’s Strike Team, announced earlier this month as a venture to bring vaccinations to those who are bed bound or otherwise unable to make it to the vaccine center.
Weblinks: https://www.panews.com/2021/05/25/health-department-starts-mobile-vaccinations-with-crewmembers-aboard-lpg-tanker/Details: Fri May 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: VISITING SAILORS VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 AT PORT OF LONG BEACH
Phone: POLB
Email: Press Release
Provider: Long Beach
Additional Information: International ship crews arriving at the Port of Long Beach and neighboring Port of Los Angeles are receiving COVID-19 vaccinations as part of an ongoing partnership between the Port of Long Beach, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and the National Guard. So far, 452 crewmembers on 27 ships visiting San Pedro Bay have voluntarily received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Weblinks: https://polb.com/port-info/news-and-press/visiting-sailors-vaccinated-for-covid-19-at-port-of-long-beach-05-28-2021/Details: Fri May 28 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: 22 seafarers from India receive COVID-19 vaccine at Port of Port Arthur
Phone: Kierra Sam
Email: 12News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Port Arthur Health Department remains proactive in their efforts to ensure Southeast Texans have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, health officials in the city are taking their vaccination efforts one step further to reach a group of professionals that keep the Port Arthur economy afloat.
Weblinks: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/22-seafarers-from-india-receive-covid-19-vaccine-at-port-of-port-arthur/ar-AAKuQXFDetails: Tue Jun 01 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: California ports set to vaccinate over 900 seafarers against Covid-19
Phone: Dale Wainwright
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Los Angeles, Long Beach
Additional Information: West coast terminals among growing number of US ports offering vaccine to visiting crews at no charge
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ports/california-ports-set-to-vaccinate-over-900-seafarers-against-covid-19/2-1-1018449Details: June 1
Vaccine: Vacination
Contact: Sending Prayers Asea
Phone: Janet Jones
Email: Catholic Lighthouse
Provider: Crew Change, Vaccination, Stella Maris Point Comfort, Rhonda Cummins
Additional Information: Rhonda Cummins, the maritime associate working with the Diocese of Victoria chapter of Stella Maris in Point Comfort, said things are starting to look up as vaccines become available to seafarers in the hopes that they can end the seemingly endless quarantine at sea. She said it is getting done in some places but there is no consistent supply or organized system right now.
Weblinks: https://victoriadiocese.org/documents/2021/6/June%202021%2016pg%20Linked-1.pdfDetails: June 2
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Weary seafarers come ashore in US for J&J one-dose shots
Phone: Brendan Murray
Email: Bloomberg
Provider: Vaccination, J&J, Dick McKenna, John Claassen, Helene Pierson, Christine Lassiter
Additional Information: \"Ports around the US are rolling out vaccines for seafarers, extending a lifeline to thousands of mostly foreign workers who’ve spent the pandemic isolated aboard ships ensuring goods kept trading across a battered global economy. From Boston to Houston and Los Angeles, and even in smaller trade gateways like Gulfport, Miss., local health officials and nonprofits are boarding container ships, tankers, and other cargo carriers to administer COVID-19 shots or, when possible, shuttling crews to nearby pharmacies and clinics. The preferred vaccine for maritime workers: the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot because they’re often docked for just a day or two.\"
Weblinks: \"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-02/weary-seafarers-come-ashore-in-the-u-s-for-j-j-one-dose-shots;,
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/audio/2021-06-02/u-s-ports-rolling-out-vaccines-for-weary-seafarers-radio\"Details: June 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Local effort to vaccinate international seamen who pass through Port of Corpus Christi (
Phone: Bill Churchwell
Email: 3News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: video
Weblinks: https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/international-seaman-get-vaccinated-at-the-port-of-corpus-christi/503-9e174af0-06ba-4e9d-a258-bcb4202fbaf3Details: June 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Crew members given hope through vaccine
Phone: DD Turner
Email: The Port Lavaca Wave
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The second wave of COVID-19 left India almost unable to cope with the record-setting numbers of cases and deaths.Local physicians and nurses recently gave hope to the crew of a ship from India at the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort.“The captain, upon hearing we would provide the vaccines for him and his crew, sent a message expressing his gratitude and spoke of how they “had almost lost hope,” said Dr. John Wright with Port Lavaca Clinic Associates. “They had been trying to get the vaccine at various ports but were unsuccessful. This is a reflection of the tragedy that is occurring in their country due to the pandemic. Also, being vaccinated will help protect them from COVID as well as their fellow crew members and their families when they are able to return home. Because they are vaccinated, it’ll be easier for changing crews and to get shore passes as well.”Wright, along with PL Clinic nurses Olda Flores and Wendy Talbott, went to Stavanger Pride, which was moored at the port in Point Comfort. He said a group from Memorial Medical Center has gone out to give vaccines as well.Wright said the effort to vaccinate sailors was started by Rhonda Cummins, a volunteer with the Point Comfort Seafarer’s Center.
Weblinks: http://www.portlavacawave.com/news/around_town/crew-members-given-hope-through-vaccine/article_5c40473a-c872-11eb-9f13-0726251ba73b.htmlDetails: June 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port of Baltimore to offer COVID-19 vaccinations for visiting ship crew members
Email: American Journal of Transportation
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: \"The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) and the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) are partnering to conduct clinics twice weekly beginning Tuesday, June 15, to offer the single dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to visiting crew members on ships calling the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.\"
Weblinks: https://ajot.com/news/article/port-of-baltimore-to-offer-covid-19-vaccinations-for-visiting-ship-crew-membersDetails: Sat Jun 12 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port in a COVID storm: International seafarers get vaccine in Port Arthur
Phone: Monique Batson
Email: The News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Rolex Gonzales hasn’t met his 2-month-old son.The seafarer from the Philippines has been on a vessel since December and won’t return until September.But when he returns home, he’ll be able to meet Rolex Gozeles Jr., and reunite with his 1-year-old daughter.They were the reason he was so happy Friday as he received the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the Port Arthur Health Department’s vaccine hub.“We’re very careful, especially my wife because we have two babies at home,” he said after receiving his shot.Gonzales was one of nine seafarers docked in the region that were bussed to the center for vaccinations.
Weblinks: https://www.panews.com/2021/06/12/seafarers-get-covid-vaccine-while-docked-in-port-arthur/Details: June 18
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarers receive COVID vaccine while in Baltimore ports
Phone: Kevin Parks
Email: Catholic Review
Provider: Vaccination, J&J, Stella Maris, Andy Middleton
Additional Information: \"Some 30 vaccinations in all were administered to the crews of the Panamanian-flagged sugar transport Century Bright, moored at Domino Sugar off Key Highway, and the Malta-flagged coal transport Nana Z, moored at the Curtis Bay coal pier. Andy Middleton, director of the Apostleship of the Sea outreach for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, coordinated the first of what he hopes is an ongoing effort to support international ship crew vaccinations against the coronavirus, including transportation to Maryland vaccination sites when onboard clinics are not available. [...] 'I got an email about vaccinations for seafarers,' Middelton said. 'I asked myself why we couldn’t do that' for those who come on ships to the Port of Baltimore. Middleton reached out to several providers, and Johns Hopkins Medicine responded in a similar fashion to earlier efforts by Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski at Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús to get his parishioners and the Highlandtown Latino community in Baltimore City tested and vaccinated.\"
Weblinks: https://catholicreview.org/seafarers-receive-covid-vaccine-while-in-baltimore-ports/Details: June 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Vaccinating the crew of the merchant freighter, Crystal, was an adventure
Phone: Julia Hakes
Email: Oregon Vaccine News
Provider: Vaccination, On-board, J&J
Additional Information: \"Michael Burton, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assistant at Coos Health & Wellness, took part in an unusual vaccine clinic earlier this month. 'We were approached by a stevedoring company who said that they’d have a ship in, and could we vaccinate some of the crew.' Michael took three volunteers from the Coos County Medical Reserve Corps—two to administer shots and one to do the paperwork — down to the docks.
Weblinks: https://covidblog.oregon.gov/vaccinating-the-crew-of-the-merchant-freighter-crystal-was-an-adventure/amp/Details: June 25
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: New Orleans Port Ministry Helps Connect International Seafarers To COVID Shots
Phone: Frank McCormack
Email: Waterways Journal
Provider: Vaccination, New Orleans Port Ministry, Gonzales Seafarers' Center, Stella Maris Destrehan
Additional Information: “Logistically, what that looks like is, we pick up about half the crew, take them to the pharmacy, then back to the ship,” Vandercook said. “Then we pick up the other half of the crew and take them. It can take most of the day just to do one ship.”
Weblinks: https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2021/06/25/new-orleans-port-ministry-helps-connect-international-seafarers-to-covid-shots/Details: June 29
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: USF College of Nursing and Port Tampa Bay collaborate to create new health clinic for seafarers
Phone: Isabella Rabadi
Email: Oracle
Provider: Vaccination, Tampa Port Ministries
Additional Information: “The focus of this proof-of-concept stage of the clinic is to come in and do some health and wellness checks, infection control practices, health fairs and vaccination clinics for the seafarers,” she said. “We can then build out a portion of the Seafarer Center for a primary care clinic that would serve the needs of the seafarers and truck drivers at the port.\"Details: July 1
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Virginia Groups Help Vaccinate Seafarers
Phone: Laura Bird
Email: Virginia Maritime Association
Additional Information: \"Starting in late June, vessels calling Virginia could begin taking advantage of a new service to get their crews vaccinated on-board with the J&J shot, regardless of nationality. Accessibility to COVID-19 vaccinations are critical in giving seafarers the ability to leave the vessels and come ashore and keep necessary certifications up to date. As an initial effort, the International Chamber of Shipping designed the “Roadmap for Vaccination of International Seafarers,” a document that proposed actions to help manage ship and seafarer certifications during the pandemic, including 3-month extensions for those certifications, giving time for crews to get the ability to return to shore. This model would set further efforts in motion.\"
Weblinks: https://www.vamaritime.com/news/572024/Virginia-Groups-Help-Vaccinate-Seafarers.htmDetails: July 2
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: New Haven nurses called 'fearless' in vaccinating tanker crews so they can 'finally go home'
Phone: Kate Farrish
Email: New Haven Register
Provider: Vaccination, Seafarers' International House New Haven, Ruth Setaro
Additional Information: \"When she became a nurse 10 years ago, Sara Keiling never expected that she’d be wearing a pink hard hat and a life jacket and climbing a steep, 30-foot ladder to vaccinate her patients in a global pandemic. But that’s what she and other nurses from the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center in New Haven have been doing since May to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 90 crew members on oil tankers that regularly arrive in the port. The nurses provide the shots on board the ships because many of the crew members lack valid visas. [...] In another effort that started in May, Ruth Setaro, the port chaplain in New Haven for Seafarers International House, has driven about 40 crew members who have valid U.S. visas and shore passes to local pharmacies to get vaccinated.\"
Weblinks: https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/New-Haven-nurses-called-fearless-in-16289460.phpDetails: Mon Jul 05 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center nurses make steep climb to vaccinate seafarers
Phone: Kate Farrish
Email: the ct mirror
Provider: Vaccination, Cornell Scott-Hill Health
Additional Information: When she became a nurse 10 years ago, Sara Keiling never expected that she’d be wearing a pink hard hat and a life jacket and climbing a steep, 30-foot ladder to vaccinate her patients in a global pandemic.But that’s what she and other nurses from the Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center in New Haven have been doing since May to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 90 crew members on oil tankers that regularly arrive in the port. The nurses provide the shots on board the ships because many of the crew members lack valid visas.
Weblinks: https://ctmirror.org/2021/07/05/hill-health-center-nurses-make-steep-climb-to-vaccinate-seafarers/Details: July 8
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: US seafarer Covid-19 vaccinations top 20,000 amid nationwide roll-out
Phone: Adam Corbett
Email: TradeWinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: \"More than 20,000 seafarers have been inoculated against Covid-19 in the US, according to the latest figures from the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA).\"
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/ship-management/us-seafarer-covid-19-vaccinations-top-20-000-amid-nationwide-roll-out/2-1-1033538Details: July 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Local groups work to get international sailors vaccinated at ports in Longview, Kalama, Vancouver and Portland
Phone: Marissa Heffernan
Email: Seattle Times
Provider: Vaccination, Seattle, Columbia River, J&J
Additional Information: \"Several local groups have been working to get sailors at the Longview, Kalama, Vancouver and Portland ports vaccinated, including Community Health Partners, International Transport Workers Federation, Medical Teams International and Cowlitz County Fire District 5.\"
Weblinks: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/local-groups-work-to-get-international-sailors-vaccinated-at-ports-in-longview-kalama-vancouver-and-portland/Details: July 12
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: How Long Beach is vaccinating international ship workers
Phone: Parker Collins
Email: Spectrum News 1
Provider: Vaccination, International Seafarers Center of Long Beach, Capt. Dick McKenna, ITF
Additional Information: “These guys sometimes just get forgotten,” Mckenna said. It used to be any sailor in need could stay at the center overnight, space permitting. Now, only Americans are allowed because of restrictions on international sailors leaving ships. Mckenna has found a few exceptions. Case in point: a bunch of foreign sailors got vaccinated at the center. Since then, Mckenna continues to help organize transportation, ensuring shots get into arms whether on water or land.
Weblinks: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-east/coronavirus/2021/07/11/how-long-beach-is-vaccinating-international-ship-workersDetails: July 13
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Port of Seattle offers a beacon of hope as seafarers’ COVID-19 vaccination programme begins
Phone: Mission to Seafarers
Email: Mission to Seafarers
Provider: Vaccination, Mission to Seafarers, Discovery Health
Additional Information: The opportunity to kickstart vaccinations came in April, when the Director of Strategic Operations for the NW Seaport Alliance reached out to The Revd. Cristi Chapman, Executive Director at the Seattle Seafarers Centre and Discovery Health (a local clinic specializing in maritime medical care) enquiring whether there would be an interest in partnering on the effort. Since saying yes, over 1,200 seafarers were vaccinated at the nearby Seattle Centre before the start of July – and the port is slowly returning back to ‘normal’.
Weblinks: https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/news/port-of-seattle-offers-a-beacon-of-hope-as-seafarers-covid-19-vaccination-programme-beginsDetails: July 14
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Sailors from around the world vaccinated on ships at local ports
Phone: Tim Gordon
Email: KGW8
Provider: Vaccination, On-board, J&J, Columbia River, ITF, NAMMA
Additional Information: Pharmacist Sandy Le administered the vaccine aboard the Santiago Basin. She was done the same thing on nearly 40 ships since last May. “These guys are so appreciative, like I feel really good for the end of my day that someone appreciates what we've given them and they're just happy to see us when we arrive.,” said Le, who is owner of Lecare Pharmacy in Portland.
Weblinks: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/sailors-vaccinated-on-ships-at-local-ports/283-8c8d1eeb-a52f-4498-ad55-690b140c1277Details: Sat Jul 24 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: “Helping on a global level to end this pandemic”: Vaccines for Seafarers in Florida
Phone: Susan Huppert
Email: The MARE Report
Provider: Vaccination, Florida, Port Tampa, Port Manatee
Weblinks: http://marereport.namma.org/index.php/2021/07/24/helping-on-a-global-level-to-end-this-pandemic-vaccines-for-seafarers-in-florida/Details: Tue Jul 27 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: 8,000 Seafarers Vaccinated in Port Houston
Phone: Susan Huppert
Email: The MARE Report
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: http://marereport.namma.org/index.php/2021/07/27/8000-seafarers-vaccinated-in-port-houston/Details: Fri Aug 13 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarers Society vaccine clinic giving container ship crews a shot in the arm
Phone: David Wren
Email: The Post and Courier
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.postandcourier.com/business/seafarers-society-vaccine-clinic-giving-container-ship-crews-a-shot-in-the-arm/article_51a39f1c-fc47-11eb-8554-f7eca74c7a92.htmlDetails: August 23
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Oil Majors Begin to Require Vaccine for U.S. Gulf Offshore Workers
Email: Maritime Executive
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given full and final approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19, oil companies Chevron and Hess have announced that they will require their offshore workers in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico to get vaccinated as a condition of employment.
Weblinks: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/with-fda-approval-oil-majors-begin-to-require-vaccination-offshoreDetails: Tue Aug 24 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Local maritime ministries provide vaccines to foreign seafarers in port
Phone: Katie Johston
Email: Boston Globe
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: When a cargo ship pulls into the Port of Boston, crew members are often in need of toiletries or electronics, or maybe someone to talk to after a long stretch at sea. These days, however, many of the foreign workers onboard also need something even more urgent: a COVID-19 vaccine.
Weblinks: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/08/24/business/local-maritime-ministries-provide-vaccines-foreign-seafarers-port/Details: September 14
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: While US mandates vaccines, seafarers who want a jab still can’t get it
Phone: Eric Martin
Email: Tradewinds
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Forcing vaccines on workers will do nothing to resolve the gross imbalance in delivery
Weblinks: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/opinion/while-us-mandates-vaccines-seafarers-who-want-a-jab-still-cant-get-it/2-1-1066734Details: September 21
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarer Vaccination Numbers Improve, But Challenges Remain
Phone: Editorial
Email: The Maritime Executive
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The percentage of seafarers who have received a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine is improving, according to the latest numbers released by the Neptune Declaration's crew change tracker. As of September, about 22 percent of the world's 1.4 million seafarers have been vaccinated, up from 15 percent in August. The number varies regionally, but it represents a considerable overall improvement from early this year. Government-backed programs are ramping up, and the cause has won backing from the World Health Organization, but seafarers' welfare organizations can take a large share of the credit. According to the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), more than 50,000 foreign seafarers have been vaccinated by its members and their union, industry and healtcare partners in American seaports. This number is in addition to thousands of others who received the shot from a commercial provider or from a cruise line employer in the United States.
Weblinks: https://maritime-executive.com/article/seafarer-vaccination-numbers-improve-but-challenges-remainDetails: September 10
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Message from Maritime Labor
Phone: Author
Email: Press Release
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: Six maritime unions have issued a joint statement encouraging their members to educate themselves on the vaccines and choose to get vaccinated.
Weblinks: http://www.mebaunion.org/assets/1/15/MessageFromMaritimeLabor10032021.pdf?1329,
https://bridgedeck.org/latest/message-from-maritime-labor/Details: October 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Supply chain woes strand sailors off SoCal coast
Email: Los Angeles Times
Provider: Vaccination
Weblinks: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-10-17/port-la-supply-chain-unvaccinated-sailors-stuck-on-cargo-shipsDetails: November 1
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarers Get A Shot At Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine
Phone: Jason Bellini
Email: NEWSY
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: A ship inspector with the Seafarers International Union came up with the idea to give ship crews an opportunity to get the COVID vaccine. At the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where hundreds of ships are caught in holding patterns, a team of health workers navigate vast labyrinths. They make their way to crew members — seafarers, as they're called — who are unable to get to a clinic or pharmacy. A U.S. flagship is headed to China by way of Hawaii, which requires vaccinations to go ashore. It's the case around most of the globe: No vaccination, no leaving the ship. For many international seafarers, this outreach program offers them their first opportunity to get the shot.
Weblinks: https://www.newsy.com/stories/seafarers-at-l-a-long-beach-port-offered-covid-19-vaccine/Details: November 17
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Seafarers receive vaccinations
Email: Port Lavaca Wave
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The Port Lavaca Clinic is a huge partner in helping vaccine international seafarers over the last several months. They visited the Port 11 times to give a total of 122 shots. The teams helping have vaccinated individuals from 22 different countries. After the shots yesterday, Rhonda Cummins took the opportunity to deliver a 'thank you' gift to those from the clinic that administered the vaccines. The gifts funded by the International Transportation Federation (ITF) Inspectors. The newly vaccinated Filipino crewmen joined in the fun. Pictured, from left, are: Flojerindo Bulotano, Jeanette Escobar, Olda Flores, Wendy Talbott and John Montero. (Contributed photo)
Weblinks: http://www.portlavacawave.com/community/lifestyle/seafarers-receive-vaccinations/image_d56c9ac6-4790-11ec-994c-f7debb85608c.htmlDetails: November 19
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Sailors Venture on Land at Packed California Port as Limits Ease
Phone: Augusta Saraiva
Email: Bloomberg News
Provider: Vaccination
Additional Information: The non-profit has also helped offer Covid-19 vaccinations to crew members. This week, the number of sailors on stops to the twin ports of L.A. and Long Beach who had received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine since May surpassed 9,000, with vaccines being administrated both on board ships and to crew members who have come ashore for short breaks.
Weblinks: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/sailors-venture-on-land-at-packed-california-port-as-limits-ease-1.1684544Details: Dec 20, 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Celebrity Cruises crew aboard the Celebrity Edge will get booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine
Email: CrewCenter
Provider: vaccination
Additional Information: Celebrity Cruises crew aboard the Celebrity Edge will get booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine this weekend after the ship completes its 7-Night Puerto Rico, St.Thomas & St. Maarten cruise. The booster jab is mandatory for all eligible crew. The crew onboard Celebrity Edge received an email informing them about the new RCG Vaccine Policy and the date of the vaccination. “Booster vaccines is a crucial step forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep everyone safe. For this reason, booster vaccines will be required and will become part of our Royal Caribbean Group Vaccine Policy.” RCG letter reads in parts. Vaccinations will take place on Sunday December 19, at the Normandie Restaurant after the ship arrives at its homeport Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The crew will be receiving the Pfizer booster which is mRNA type approved by the WHO, FDA (U.S.) and EMA (E.U.). The FDA initially authorized the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shot vaccines for specific high-risk individuals. In November, the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the green light for all adults to receive a booster shot six months after their second vaccination. Since October, the FDA and CDC have recommended a second vaccination for recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, at least two months after their first jab.
Weblinks: https://crew-center.com/celebrity-edge-crew-get-booster-shot-covid-19-vaccineDetails: IMH 2022;73(2):59-63.
Contact: Implementation of an onboard COVID-19 vaccination programme: a university partnership to vaccinate seafarers
Phone: Tracey L. Taylor, Denise Maguire, Marcia Johansson
Email: IMH 2022;73(2):59-63.
Weblinks: https://journals.viamedica.pl/international_maritime_health/article/view/IMH.2022.0009Details: Jan 25, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Nurses administer COVID vaccines to seamen docked at Port Tampa Bay
Phone: Kelly King
Email: Fox 13 Tampa Bay
Additional Information: TAMPA, Fla. - International cargo ships sail into the Port of Tampa with seafarers every day. Those on the ships are not allowed off if they are not vaccinated, so two Tampa organizations started a program to help the seamen get time on dry land by providing the shots.
Weblinks: https://www.fox13news.com/news/nurses-administer-covid-vaccines-to-seamen-docked-at-port-tampa-bayDetails: Feb 16, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: MCHD provides vaccine to cargo crews entering Mobile’s port
Phone: Tammy Leytham
Email: Lagniappe Weekly
Additional Information: In an effort to keep the economy sailing, the Mobile County Health Department’s COVID-19 Response Team continues to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to cargo ship crews entering the Port of Mobile and Theodore Industrial Port.
Weblinks: https://lagniappemobile.com/mchd-provides-vaccine-to-cargo-crews-entering-mobiles-port/Details: March 14, 2022
Contact: Maritime Mondays
Phone: Clay Maitland
Weblinks: https://www.maritimetv.com/Events/Clay-Maitland_Video-Series/VideoId/4637/UseHtml5/TrueDetails: March 25, 2022
Vaccine: Vaccination; health care
Contact: CEO Corner: First-of-its-kind partnership provides life-changing health services to maritime workers
Phone: Port Tampa Bay
Email: Video
Additional Information: Welcome to CEO Corner, a monthly blog that takes a deep dive into issues that impact our maritime community. In this month’s installment, we highlight an innovative partnership between USF Health's College of Nursing and Tampa Port Ministries, that to date has provided life-changing health services and vaccines to more than a thousand seafarers.
Weblinks: https://vimeo.com/691051205/21eb87e3ccDetails: Aug 19, 2022
Contact: EPUT’s COVID vaccination service for seafarers recognised as one of the best in the world
Email: NHS
Weblinks: https://polb.com/port-info/news-and-press/seafarer-covid-19-vaccine-program-draws-to-a-close-12-27-2022/Details: January-February 2023
Contact: Discovery Health Ends Vaccinations in Seattle
Email: Seattle Seafarers' Center Newsletter
Additional Information: Thank you to Discovery Health Discovery Health has ended their onboard vaccine clinic program as of the end of December 2022. Thanks to the efforts of Discovery Health, from April 2021 until December 2022, over 8,000 international seafarers were able to access COVID 19 vaccinations and booster shots during their berth in Seattle. Discovery Health has been providing remote medical services for clients in the maritime industry since 2017. Our new response to crew vaccination requests will be to transport seafarers to vaccine clinics at nearby pharmacies.
Weblinks: https://www.mts-seattle.org/newsletter-january-february-2023
Vietnam
Details: Mon Apr 12 2021
Vaccine: Vaccination
Contact: Transport Ministry proposes prioritizing Covid-19 vaccination for sailors
Phone: The Saigon Times
Email: The Saigon Times
Provider: Vietnam, Vaccination
Additional Information: The Ministry of Transport has written to the Government proposing directing the Ministry of Health to add Vietnamese sailors, navigators and those who work directly with ships to the priority list for the Covid-19 vaccination to facilitate their procedures for vaccine passports and thus make life easier for them to travel to other countries.The ministry also proposed the Government direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to put Vietnamese sailors whose work contracts expired and who were stuck in foreign countries on the priority list for repatriation flights.The Ministry of Transport also expected the provincial and municipal governments to set appropriate quarantine fees for sailors at concentrated quarantine centers after they enter Vietnam, VietnamPlus news site reported.
Weblinks: https://en.thesaigontimes.vn/tinbaichitiet/81403/