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Opinion | Why Hong Kong should give excess Covid-19 vaccines to seafarers

  • Hundreds of thousands of seafarers have been stranded at sea or marooned at home, putting great stress on their well-being and straining global supply chains
  • Hong Kong is in the unique position of having extra vaccines and being able to lead a global humanitarian effort to aid these maritime heroes

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A health worker directs seafarers and port workers during a Covid-19 vaccine programme for Malaysian frontline workers in Port Klang, Malaysia, on June 25. Photo: Bloomberg

Many of us in Hong Kong go about our lives unaware of our dependence on an invisible workforce for the delivery of our daily necessities and conveniences. From the food on our table and life-saving medicines to fuel, cars, electronic devices and clothing, the list is endless.

All that could be taken away in a moment if not for the 1.7 million seafarers working on board the world’s 56,000 merchant vessels. It will come as even more of a shock to know that since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the full provision of the necessities has been far from certain and remains a matter of chance to this day.
The global supply chains that help feed, clothe and fuel us have not been under more strain since World War II, and the reason is simple. As the pandemic spread across the world and nations locked down for protection, seafarers became locked out and were unable to travel freely, thus severely inhibiting crew relief and repatriation operations.

At the height of the crisis, some 400,000 seafarers were stranded on board their vessels far beyond their contracts – in some cases, for as long as 18 months. A similar number have been marooned at home, out of contract and unable to earn a living.

This humanitarian crisis at sea and ashore has had a catastrophic impact on seafarers’ physical, economic and psychological well-being, thereby putting global supply chains and maritime safety at risk.

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Indonesian sailor captured after breaking out of coronavirus quarantine facility in South Korea

Indonesian sailor captured after breaking out of coronavirus quarantine facility in South Korea

The situation remains critical, but thankfully there now appears to be a way out through vaccinations. However, many seafarers are from India and the Philippines, where vaccines are in short supply. By contrast, Hong Kong is in the envious position of having more vaccine supply than demand.

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