For the more than 8,000 seafarers who have returned home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hope for overseas employment has begun to surface with global
shipping
companies commencing recruitment.
Over the past 20 days, a number of shipping firms based in Mumbai have begun the signing on — and signing off — process by chartering international flights from different countries.
That the sector is picking up is evident as around half a dozen medical clinics in Goa that conduct tests on seafarers before they board vessels of their respective shipping companies are buzzing with activity.
Divine Medical Centre in Margao, which provides the service for more than 46 foreign merchant shipping companies, has already tested over 422 seafarers, some of whom have left Goa to board their respective vessels. “All of them underwent tests for Covid-19, too, and were found to be negative,” clinic head, Dr Phillip Mascarenhas, said.
Another reputed seafarers’ medical centre, Dr Belani’s Blue Shield, located at Arlem, has also conducted a few hundred tests, sources said.
Although the pandemic disrupted the economy and brought many industries to a halt, maritime activity, specially cargo shipping, continued.
Seafarers on merchant navy ships such as bulk carriers, tankers, containers and car and gas carriers were not relieved from service, some even after completing their contract, sources said.
Most
repatriated
seafarers were those employed aboard cruise vessels.
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