Singapore aims to vaccinate 10,000 front-line maritime personnel against Covid-19 by the end of January, the country’s maritime regulator has promised.
These front-line personnel include port workers, harbour pilots, cargo officers, marine surveyors and marine superintendents who are required to work on board ships in port.
“Singapore became one of the first countries to prioritise Covid-19 vaccinations for front-line maritime personnel,” the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said.
“These workers go on board vessels at our port and come into contact with people from outside of Singapore.
“This vaccination exercise is part of the national Covid-19 vaccination strategy to protect front-line personnel and their family members, as well as residents living in Singapore.”
Taking priority
Harbour craft and oceangoing crew who are Singaporeans and long-term residents living in the community are also prioritised for vaccination.
“Together, these personnel play a major role in keeping the Port of Singapore open and ensuring the undisrupted flow of goods,” the MPA said.
The maritime regulator said more than 700 personnel have been vaccinated over the past few days to prepare for the full roll-out of the strategy.
Due to the better protection offered by vaccination, front-line maritime personnel who have completed their full course of vaccination will be subjected to fewer testing requirements.
Going forward, those who are currently on the seven-day rostered routine testing (RRT) will be tested every 14 days; those who are currently on the 14-day RRT will be tested once a month.
MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon said: “We rely on our front-line maritime personnel for the transportation of what we need everyday, including food, medical supplies, and consumer goods.
Peace of mind
“We hope the vaccination can give them peace of mind when they perform their work on board ships.
“This will provide an additional layer of protection, and keep their family and the community safe. We strongly encourage them to come forward for early vaccination.”
PSA Marine harbour pilot Loh Kah Wai, who was among the first maritime workers to be vaccinated, said it enabled him to do his job with less worry.
“It’s one more layer of protection, not just for me but for my fellow harbour pilots and my family,” he said.
Caroline Yang, president of Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), said the association welcomed the mass vaccination for maritime personnel who need to board vessels for their work.
"We urge companies to arrange and encourage staff in the identified maritime roles to be vaccinated, not only as protection for themselves but also as an assurance to their loved ones," she said.
She added that the SSA will continue to engage the authorities and maritime stakeholders for practical safe management measures so shipping operations in Singapore can continue amid new developments with the global pandemic.
Tighter testing
Earlier this month, Singapore was forced to tighten Covid-19 testing requirements for shore-based staff after two people were found to have contracted the virus.
Singapore’s Ministry of Health said a marine surveyor and a harbour pilot had tested positive for Covid-19 on 30 and 31 December, respectively.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the marine surveyor ate food provided by, or with, the crew on board the ships he visited, which was against precautionary measures.
