In an Australian-first, NSW Health will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports, in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community.
The Maritime Union of Australia welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth, but said the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers.
This Australian-first effort to vaccinate foreign seafarers that make regular visits to Australian ports is a welcome step to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers, but it needs to be replicated at all ports and terminals.
…MUA Sydney Deputy Branch Secretary Paul Garrett said.
As explained, sixteen seafarers onboard Singapore-flagged LPG carrier Epic St Agnes, which is on long-term charter to Australian energy giant Origin Energy, received their first vaccination dose yesterday morning while berthed at Port Botany.
The Epic St Agnes operates exclusively on the Australian coast, loading and discharging bulk gas at ports in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.
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The initiative follows last month’s COVID outbreak on another LPG carrier chartered by Origin Energy, the Inge Kosan. Testing of crew members on that vessel, conducted after the body of one of the seafarers washed up on a beach in Vanuatu, found 12 of 13 had the virus.
NSW Health has made the decision that COVID vaccinations for crews onboard gas ships that use the Bulk Liquids Terminal are essential to reduce the risk of community transmission, yet seafarers on container ships berthed just a few hundred metres away are excluded.
…Paul Garrett added.
What is more, MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said there was an urgent need for a nationally-consistent approach to close the gaping holes in Australia’s maritime biosecurity measures.
“Thousands of foreign ships visit Australian each year, with many conducting regular trips or undertaking coastal trade between Australian ports, resulting in a significant risk of COVID transmission into the community through direct contact with waterfront workers”.
…Mr Crumlin said.
Concluding, the Secretary noted that seafarers are responsible for transporting 98 per cent of Australia’s imports and exports, which is why it is so important to address the threat COVID poses to these maritime supply chains.
