Extending COVID-19 Vaccinations to Seafarers Joining and Signing Off Ships in Singapore Waters
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan’s inquiry on extending COVID-19 vaccinations to seafarers joining and signing off ships in Singapore. Minister for Transport S Iswaran stated that the Sea Crew Vaccination (SEAVAX) Initiative already covers specific non-resident foreign crew engaged in essential services. He noted that transient sign-on crew are being prioritized for vaccinations because of their higher exposure risk during long periods at sea, with industry partners currently working out the implementation protocols. Conversely, sign-off crew are expected to receive their vaccinations upon returning to their home countries. This industry-led vaccination program for sign-on crew will begin once all necessary arrangements and regulatory approvals are finalized.
Transcript
26 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Transport whether COVID-19 vaccination can be extended to seafarers who join and sign off ship in Singapore waters as Singapore is an International Maritime Centre and there are countries globally who vaccinate seafarers of all nationalities in their shores.
Mr S Iswaran: As a major transhipment hub port and international maritime centre, Singapore supports the International Maritime Organisation’s efforts to set up a global network of seaports in facilitating the vaccination of international sea crew. This initiative provides additional protection for sea crew against COVID-19 and enhances global supply chain resilience.
Under the Sea Crew Vaccination (SEAVAX) Initiative, Singapore is offering eligible groups of non-resident foreign sea crew the option of receiving COVID-19 vaccinations from 30 August 2021. These sea crew are either working in the Port of Singapore for a prolonged duration, engaged in the supply of essential goods, or engaged in ferrying passengers.
The Singapore Shipping Association, maritime unions and PSA are also working out the necessary protocols for transient sea crew who are signing on to vessels at the Port of Singapore to receive their vaccinations as part of the established crew change process. Currently, such sea crew are required to undergo stringent pre-arrival isolation and testing, and strict bubble wrap protocol under our crew change process.
Sea crew who are signing on to vessels should be prioritised for vaccination because they will be at sea for long periods aboard vessels calling at ports around the world and will hence be at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. Sea crew who sign off at the Port of Singapore may receive their vaccinations upon returning to their home countries.
The vaccination of sign-on sea crew will commence once the arrangements for this industry-led effort are ready and the necessary approvals have been obtained.