On International Day of the Seafarer, the Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has issued a circular which outlines plans to provide Covid-19 vaccinations to all seafarers on Cyprus-flagged and Cyprus-managed vessels.
Cyprus SDM will vaccinate 40,000 seafarers, according to a statement, and is also exploring the potential to become a vaccination hub for all visiting seafarers, proactively supporting long-term progress for seafarer welfare.
As stipulated in a Circular that was issued on 25 June by SDM, vaccines will be administered by qualified medical staff to all seafarers working on board Cyprus-flagged ships, irrespective of the location of the vessel, and certificates provided.
Vaccines will also be available to all seafarers serving on board vessels calling at Cypriot ports, regardless of flag, with close ties to Cyprus - such as ships managed by companies based in the country.
In addition, Cyprus's willingness to become a vaccination hub relies upon a proportion of surplus vaccines from other countries being made available for seafarers, according to a ministry's announcement.
“We continue to prioritize seafarer welfare and support a practical and coordinated solution to the ongoing crew change challenge. We would also like to further explore, in cooperation with the global shipping community, the possibility of becoming a vaccination hub for seafarers. This will require collaboration with other nations and organizations to pool spare vaccines, and we are in active conversations to progress the potential of this idea," commented Vassilios Demetriades, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister.
