Stocking-Up Amid COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 on the maritime industry is substantial at this point and it could quite possibly grow. In a New York Times report , Panjiva, a research unit of S&P Global Market Intelligence, said container volume dropped 2.7 percent at American ports in January and officials expect a bigger decline as COVID-19 continues to spread. 

“The overall economic impact of these types of emergencies is often in the tens of billions of dollars,” said Cary Davis, an official with the American Association of Port Authorities. “Due to the coronavirus outbreak, cargo volumes at U.S. ports might be down by 20 percent or more on a year-on-year basis compared to 2019.”

“The overall economic impact of these types of emergencies is often in the tens of billions of dollars,” said Cary Davis, an official with the American Association of Port Authorities. “Due to the coronavirus outbreak, cargo volumes at U.S. ports might be down by 20 percent or more on a year-on-year basis compared to 2019.”

However, ports and cities around the globe are taking this situation seriously, as they should, in an effort to mitigate the spread. There’s a responsibility on all of us to do so as well. In this article, we’re going to look specifically at what supplies you should have on board to keep your crew healthy. 

● Coronavirus early Detection and Management While at Sea

● CDC: Quarantine Stations

Ship Supplies 

The CDC has issued specific guidelines for supplies that vessels need to have on board. One of the easiest things to do is ensure everyone is practicing basic good hygiene by washing their hands often. Make sure there is ample access to and supply of a 60 to 95 percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer. And make sure sinks have adequate supplies, including soap, disposable towels and a trash receptacle. 

Additionally, according to the CDC , ships should also have personal protection equipment, including facemasks, a stocked medicine chest for all basic needs, and a contingency plan for “rapid resupply during outbreaks.” 

Laundry supplies are important for cleaning towels and bedding, and plenty of trash bags are needed to properly dispose of tissues and hand towels. Extra dishwashing detergent should be on hand as well, since the virus can be spread through saliva. 

Further, the CDC requests maritime vessels to have “sterile viral transport media and sterile swabs to collect nasopharyngeal and nasal specimens” in cases where COVID-19 is suspected on board.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and is believed to be primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets. With that in mind, all commonly touched surfaces like handrails, counter tops, tools, equipment and doorknobs should be cleaned thoroughly and often. 

Here is a complete list of EPA-approved antimicrobial products, which includes items such as Clorox cleaning products. 

Medicine Kit

In terms of pharmaceuticals, your medical needs and areas of travel will dictate what you actually need to have onboard. Check with your medical supply provider to make sure you are properly stocked. 

Here is a comprehensive list for a stocked pharmacy kit. 

Telemedicine and Coronavirus

Finally, telemedicine plays a vital role in the containment of viruses. Leveraging the tools of remote consultations and diagnosis is crucial, so now is a great time to take stock of the components in your telemedicine kit. 

While at sea, a telemedicine kit allows you to connect to a physician via encrypted video anytime from anywhere. Along with diagnostic tools, seafarers who are not feeling well can be assessed by a doctor in real time and the best next steps determined. If further testing is necessary, your telemedicine service can select the closest port that has the medical facilities to meet your needs. In the case that a patient's health just needs to be monitored, the vessel avoids an unnecessary trip to a port, but the patient can continue to be monitored through the telemedicine service. 

Also, make sure you’re following the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting your telemedicine kit. 

If someone is suspected of having COVID-19 onboard, the CDC is clear: 

“Isolate passengers or crew onboard who are suspected of having COVID-19 infection in a single-occupancy cabin with the door closed until symptoms are improved. Discontinuing isolation precautions is made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with CDC.”

The commercial maritime industry plays a vital role in all of our lives by moving goods around the globe. We want to see the industry continue to thrive by keeping everyone healthy. Meaning, regularly take stock of your medicine kits and cleaning supplies, plus your telemedicine capabilities.