Singapore starts industry-led vaccination pilot

The Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) in partnership with PSA and Fullerton Health Group (FHG) has set up of a vaccination seafarers vaccination centre in the country

The centre, which started operations on 30 September, is undertaking a pilot programme for seafarers joining vessels in Singapore, with vaccination on the same day they join the vessel. Companies need to submit applications seven days before the seafarers arrive in Singapore, and the scheme is on a voluntary basis.

Michael Phoon, Executive Director of SSA said, “Seafarers are key maritime frontline workers and the backbone of international shipping. The SSA is pleased to be leading this tripartite initiative to help seafarers get the protection they need against the COVID-19 virus. We hope the experience with this pilot vaccination program will facilitate the scale-up of vaccinations for the wider seafaring community.”

The initiative is supported by the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore and has funding from the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund.

While the US ports and a growing number of European ports are offering vaccination to international seafarers Singapore is the first Asian country to start a scheme other than for its own nationals.

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Singapore starts industry-led vaccination pilot for international seafarers