KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Maritime Professionals Association's Council (Ikmal) has urged the government to put seafarers on the priority list to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Ikmal said Malaysian seafarers, as a high-risk group, should be accorded priority to be inoculated in the first phase of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to ensure continuity in the maritime transportation supply chain.
In a statement today, Ikmal said almost 90 per cent of global trade is seaborne, adding that the sector plays a critical economic role and provides vital logistical support during the pandemic.
"Within this incessant maritime logistical movement, there exists 1.6 million seafarers globally who ensure that ships are in continuous operation, transporting myriad goods, including fuel, foodstuff and medical items.
"Malaysian seafarers are also involved in this ecosystem. Approximately 40,000 of them continue serving selflessly, even though they face various difficulties."
The council said based on International Maritime Organisation data, there are about 400,000 seafarers who are trapped on board their vessels globally, unable to return to their home countries upon completion of their service contracts due to travel restrictions.
It also said seafarers who have been vaccinated would be able to serve on board ships and continue to support the critical maritime transport supply chain.
This, they added, could enable fewer travel restrictions to be imposed upon seafarers, thus avoiding seafarers from being trapped on board their vessels upon completion of their service contracts.
"Seafarers, too, are a high-risk group. Should they be infected by Covid-19 while the vessels are sailing, they may have to endure it for a number of days, sometimes even for more than a week, while waiting for the vessel to reach a port to receive medical attention.
"In fact, some ports obstruct the provision of medical attention or impose ridiculous bureaucratic procedures prior to providing same.
"The International Chamber of Shipping has also exhorted that seafarers be accorded priority to be vaccinated as soon as possible," said Ikmal, adding that Singapore has already announced that seafarers would be given priority during its vaccination programme.
The council said it would communicate with relevant agencies to raise their concerns to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, as minister-in-charge of the vaccine rollout.
"Ikmal takes this opportunity to advise all Malaysian seafarers to continue adhering to the standard operating procedures currently in force and comply with all directives issued by enforcement agencies."