Hundreds of lives will be saved thanks to two new emergency projects being funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and delivered through two Indian-based seafarers’ unions.

The support from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust for oxygen concentrators and emergency supplies for affected seafarers and their families comes as India’s health system teeters on the brink of collapse in the wake of the country’s unprecedented Covid-19 outbreak. The two grants total £215,000 GBP ($305,085 USD).

The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) will use its network of branches across the country to deliver the oxygen concentrators free of charge to seafarers and their families. The initiative is part of a wider union project to increase the number of ventilator beds in government hospitals.

A second grant from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust will fund supplies for Indian seafarers and their families who are experiencing hardship during lockdown or in periods of quarantine. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) will coordinate getting logistical support and essential goods to seafarers in locked down ports, as well as providing assistance to families who have lost loved ones to the virus.

“Last year Indian seafarers’ unions were at the forefront of getting emergency supplies and hand sanitizers to seafarers as the pandemic was just beginning,” said Katie Higginbottom, Head of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.

“Now we are all bearing witness to the human tragedy unfolding in India with this deadly second wave, and the ITF Seafarers’ Trust is proud to support unions stepping up to save as many lives as possible and reduce the hardship being faced by Indian seafarers and their families,”

General Secretary of NUSI Abdulgani Y. Serang said the grant for oxygen concentrators will save lives because it helps address a chronic lack of breathing-supporting equipment in the country.

“People all over India, including seafarers, have been trying to source oxygen cylinders or oxygen concentrators for themselves or their loved ones so that they can battle this virus at home. The hospitals, too, need more of these machines – many patients cannot get oxygen beds and lives are being lost,” he said. “This grant will save hundreds of lives,” said Serang.

Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of the FSUI was also confident that the grants would make a difference.

“Many seafarers have tested positive, and many have died. Too many. We are doing our best to provide the necessary support to seafarers’ families in very challenging circumstances,” said Yadav.

Indian outbreak threatens to worsen crew change crisis

Concerns are growing in the maritime industry that the health crisis in India may lead to a doubling of the number of seafarers unable to get home due to governments’ Covid-related border and travel restrictions in a matter of weeks. Already 200,000 seafarers are estimated to be trapped working aboard vessels beyond their initial contracts.

“New restrictions targeting Indian seafarers will worsen the crew change crisis. We need systems that get Covid-negative and fully vaccinated seafarers onto ships to relieve crews who have been onboard for far too long,” said David Heindel, chair of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Seafarers’ Section.

Key crew change hubs Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates have banned those with recent travel to India from entering or transiting through their ports and airports. Indian nationals represent 1 in 8 seafarers of the global seafaring workforce.

“Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters in India. It’s a double-blow for Indian seafarers at sea who are watching their families suffer, while they also face the prospect of many more months trapped working onboard unable to get home to comfort their loved ones,” said Heindel.

“These substantial grants show that labour representatives are prepared to do whatever we can to reduce the impact of the virus. But the long-term solution remains universal access to vaccines for all seafarers by everyone doing their part: government, union, business; simultaneously and globally.”

“National Covid outbreaks like that being seen in India right now will continue to happen until the whole world has this virus under control, worsening the crew change crisis and risking essential supply chains. No one is safe until we are all safe,” concluded Heindel.