MARGAO
Goan seafarers under the banner of Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) have made a fervent plea to the Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust to commence vaccination on priority for Goan seafarers at the port premises.
GSAI President Frank Veigas dashed off a letter to the MPT Chairman since the Director General of Shipping has listed a number of ports in the country, including Mormugao Port Trust for vaccination of seafarers..
In the letter, Viegas drew attention of the MPT Chairman that ship owner and consignees would choose only the ships with safe crew to ship their cargo, adding this would discourage employment of non-vaccinated seafarers. “Many countries may not even allow transit rights to seafarers if they are not vaccinated. Ships are operated with minimum manning, to save on operational costs. Even if one of the crew members falls prey to pandemic, it would seriously impact, safe operation of the ship”, he said.
Saying that no ship manager nor owner would want to compromise on the operations of their ships and business interest by employing crew, who are not vaccinated as they have a higher risk of getting infected, he said not vaccinating Goan or Indian seafarers is already having a serious bearing on the employment prospects in view of the fact that many other competing manpower supplying nations like China, Indonesia & Bangladesh have given priority vaccination to their seafarers and are already the preferred lot for many ship owners.
Priority vaccination for seafarers is not only in the interest of our seafarers but also in the larger interest of world trade. Otherwise a situation will soon arise which will further affect the morale of Goan seafarers as well as increase stress, frustration & depression levels amongst our Goan seafarers.
Establishing Mormugao Port Trust hospital besides Mumbai, Kolkata and Cochin is very much the need of the hour for our Goan seafarers and this facility can further be utilized as a vaccination hub for Indian as well as foreign seafarers in future. This way Mormugao Port Trust can be a front runner in leading by example to the entire shipping industry, he added.
Viegas pointed out most ship Owners worldwide have expressed their concerns over rising Covid cases in India and are seeking vaccinated crew. “India is presently the worst hit country in the world after the US with the biggest daily rise in Covid cases. There is demand for only vaccinated seafarers by ship owners (Cargo & Cruise) and this is very much going to affect the Indian shipping industry”, he added.
Saying it is highly imperative that vaccination of our seafarers be given top most priority, he pointed out that seafarers have already been notified as 'Key Workers' by DG Shipping, Government of India via circulars dated 21st Dec 2020 & 23rd April 2021 to our seafarer unions (MUI, NUSI).
