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InterManager frustration at finding government body to authorise vaccine purchaseInterManager frustration at finding government body to authorise vaccine purchase

InterManager has so far drawn a blank in finding a recognised government body with which it can work to complete a purchase of 1m vaccine shots from Johnson & Johnson for seafarers.

Marcus Hand, Editor

May 17, 2021

1 Min Read
Mark O'Neil CEO of CSM
Mark O'Neil CEO of CSMPhoto: CSM

The ship managers association has successfully negotiated with Johnson & Johnson to buy 1m doses of the single shot vaccine at a reduced rate of $22m, however, to place and receive the order requires it to work a recognised government body, a requirement in line with international law.

InterManager is speaking to the UK and Cyrpus governments, as well as others, but has failed to find a partner as yet.

“I tear my hair out as to why we can’t get a single government body to authorise this. We could have these vaccines in a pretty short time frame,” said Mark O’Neil, InterManager President and Columbia Shipmanagement CEO.

He sought the help of ship managers to find a suitable government body that could be used as conduit. “We have to try. Most importantly, this is about the seafarers,” O’Neil stated.

“If we miss this opportunity then we’ll be kicking ourselves in a few months’ time when some vessels come to a grinding halt because we don’t have vaccinated seafarers.”

InterManager moved to source vaccines for seafarers after becoming frustrated with the slow pace of efforts to establish a framework international at the IMO. Many seafarers come from countries where vaccination programmes have been slow. The majority of vaccinations also require two shots adding a logistical complication for seafarers.

Related:ICS publishes seafarer vaccine roadmap

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About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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