Despite the fact that Indian seafarers are at the TOP 5 of the world shipping personnel, the Covid-2019 has put them in a quandary. The Indian government uses the primary vaccine, Covaxin, which is not certified by the WHO. That’s why, such a position of affairs is not approved by some international shipping lines. Besides, according to the All India Seafarers Union, the Chinese government has enacted a ban on Indian seamen. Information shared by the Maritime Executive.
Covaxin has been available under an emergency use authorization since January, despite the fact that the WHO has not yet approved it. As the union reported, some shipping companies have denied permission to board to seamen who have received Covaxin.
“Many who took Covaxin are being denied jobs in some countries in Europe, the U.S., Malaysia, Hong Kong and China,” stated Abhijeet Sangle, the union’s working president.
Interestingly, this does not apply to a competing vaccine called Covishield made in India too. Seafarers who receive Covishield may be employed in the world fleet. It should be noted, that at the same time, Chinese ports have enacted a berthing ban on ships manned by Indian crews. A ban is still unofficial, but since March 21, the Chinese authorities have asked shipowners not to call the ports if there are Indian crew members on board, vaccinated or not.
India branch manager for a well-known ship management company captain Rakesh Coelho expressed concern to Times of India that now some foreign shipping companies prefer to see crews from other countries on their vessels, for example the Philippines, China and Vietnam, in response to the ban.