From left: SOS President Kam Soon Huat, SMOU GS Mary Liew, Senior Minister of State Dr Lam, SSA President Caroline Yang, MPA CE Quah Ley Hoon at the Day of the Seafarer celebration.
Treat seafarers with respect and dignity, SOS President Kam Soon Huat made this call on the Day of the Seafarer on 25 June 2020.
Through the tripartite effort, SOS, together with Maritime and Port of Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) and Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), prepared 1,000 care packs for ships in the Port of Singapore, reaching out to some 10,000 seafarers.
Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min, Chief Executive of MPA Ms Quah Ley Hoon, General Secretary of SMOU Ms Mary Liew, President of SSA Ms Caroline Yang and Mr Kam presented the care packs to signing-on seafarers at Marina South Pier. Other highlights included the delivery of care packs to a PIL vessel, ‘Kota Nasrat’, using a drone and the presentation of the 3D-printed face shields to signing-off seafarers.
Since 27 March, more than 13,000 cases of crew sign-ons and sign-offs involving some 650 companies and 1,150 ships have been approved by MPA.
Visit e-Samudra or Issue 1 (20/21) for more stories.
The approved cases of crew change crossed 13,000 involving some 650 companies and 1150 ships as Singapore celebrated the international Day of the Seafarer on 25 June 2020.
This is being done in a controlled and regulated environment through a ‘safe corridor’ to minimise any risk to public health within Singapore as well as to the shipping community.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported this at the annual tripartite event that pays tribute to seafarers and acknowledges the contributions they have been making in maintaining the flow of goods.
“During this pandemic, seafarers have been working tirelessly to keep our ports open and cargoes flowing. Today, we join the international maritime community to celebrate this important Day of the Seafarer and thank our seafarers for their contributions,” said Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Dr Lam Pin Min.
Together with MPA, Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union and Singapore Shipping Association, SOS prepared 1,000 care packs for ships in the Port of Singapore, reaching out to some 10,000 seafarers. 3D-printed face shields were also presented to signing-off seafarers for their additional protection when wearing a mask during the journey home. These face shields were manufactured by a local start-up, Siege Advanced Manufacturing.
One of the highlights of the event was the delivery of care packs to a PIL vessel, ‘Kota Nasrat’, using a drone. The shore to ship delivery was conducted by another local start-up ‘F-Drones’ and demonstrated the use of new technologies to enhance safety and efficiency of deliveries traditionally performed by small launches or boats.
Those present at the event also witnessed the process of tele-medicine consultation and how the fit-to-fly certificate is being issued. As part of the celebration, Dr Lam presented MPA’s contribution of S$200,000 to seafarer missions.
On the Day of Seafarer, we stand in solidarity in appreciating seafarers who are essential frontline workers. Seafarers, as key workers, must be treated with respect and dignity.
– Mr Kam Soon Huat, SOS President
