Today, there are more than 1.6 million seafarers who work on merchant ships worldwide – many of whom spent more than 12 months on ships during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic when health protocols restricted crew changes. It was during this time that NSW Ports launched the Seafarers Vaccination Program – an Australian first.
Since May 2021, NSW Ports has worked with health officials to provide vaccines to seafarers at Port Botany and a similar program commenced soon after at Port Kembla. In FY22, 1,417 vaccinations were given to seafarers at Port Botany while 1,020 vaccinations were given to seafarers at Port Kembla. Our Operations Manager, the brainchild behind the Program, was awarded the 2021 Seafarers Welfare Award at the Daily Cargo News Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards for his outstanding efforts in spearheading the initiative.
Supporting Thriving Communities is one of four strategic priorities in our 2022 Sustainability Strategy. This program is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the people that work and visit our sites. Through our ongoing annual partnership with the Mission to Seafarers at both our ports we support the provision of services such as transport, counseling, free wifi to enable seafarers to call home and connect with family and friends and the delivery of care packages.