Starting August 30, eligible non-resident foreign seafarers can receive COVID-19 vaccinations in Singapore through the Sea Crew Vaccination Initiative (Seavax). Announced by Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat, this initiative will provide Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna vaccines to seafarers who stay for over 30 days and are involved in essential goods supply or passenger ferrying. The program encompasses a wide range of vessels, including cruise ships docked in off-peak periods, ships in repair, yachts, fishing boats, and regional ferries.
Chee emphasized Singapore’s status as a global hub port and an international maritime center, noting that this initiative contributes to the global vaccination drive for seafarers. Vaccination efforts are crucial not just for protecting these workers but also for enhancing overall supply chain resilience, given their interactions with the local community. Companies or seafarers will be responsible for covering the vaccination costs, which will occur at designated sites near the crew.
In parallel, Royal Caribbean anticipates that crew members of its Quantum of the Seas cruise ship will be fully vaccinated by early October. With Seavax, Singapore aligns itself with global ports in Europe and the United States that offer similar vaccination opportunities for international seafarers. Notably, about 82% of the 7,500 resident seafarers in Singapore’s waters are fully vaccinated, according to the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA).
Chee’s address at the International Safety @ Sea Week also touched upon safety issues and concerns surrounding piracy. While major safety incidents in Singapore waters have significantly decreased—from 1.6 incidents per 100,000 vessel movements in 2011 to none in 2020—the need for vigilance remains. He referenced the X-Press Pearl incident in May, where a Singapore-registered vessel caught fire while carrying hazardous materials, resulting in an extensive environmental disaster. Quick response from both Sri Lankan and Singapore authorities was praised, and ongoing cleanup and investigations are being carried out.
The Minister highlighted the importance of learning from such incidents to fortify response capabilities and prevent future occurrences. Moreover, Chee noted an uptick in piracy, with 20 incidents reported in the first half of this year compared to 16 in all of 2020. Although all incidents occurred outside of Singapore’s waters, collaborative enforcement with neighboring countries is deemed essential to address this challenge.
Overall, the Seavax initiative represents a significant step toward ensuring the health and safety of maritime workers while reinforcing Singapore’s commitment to maritime safety and collaboration.
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