The logistics sector is urgently requesting vaccination to prevent larger-scale problems that the COVID-19 pandemic may cause in the global supply chain. Many countries have brought forward the vaccination queue for port workers in order to avoid further problems in the maritime sector, which is the backbone of global trade. Speaking to DÜNYA, TÜRKLİM President Hakan Genç called for urgent vaccination of certain employees referred to as ‘key personnel’ in ports where approximately 87 percent of Turkey’s foreign trade is handled. There are concerns that the pandemic, whose rate of transmission is increasing with new variants despite the vaccine, will create new crises in the global supply chain. The major disruptions experienced in US ports due to COVID-19 cases, which also disrupted global trade, have mobilized countries. Many countries have brought forward the vaccination queue of personnel, especially in ports, in order to avoid problems in the maritime sector, where nearly 85 percent of global trade is carried out. Port operators in Turkey are also making an urgent call for vaccination for ‘key personnel’. On the other hand, it is expected that the vaccination process will be accelerated for international truck drivers and warehouse workers.

Logisticians want priority in vaccination for employees who are considered ‘key personnel’ so that the pandemic, which is spreading at an increasing rate, does not create a new crisis in foreign trade transportation. Sector representatives draw attention to the fact that similar measures have begun to be taken in many countries, especially after the crisis experienced in US ports.

“The burden on maritime transportation will increase”

Hakan Genç, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port Operators Association of Turkey (TÜRKLİM), drew attention to the fact that countries’ new restrictions against the pandemic, which is spreading at an increasing rate, will increase the demand for maritime transportation in global trade again, and requested that priority be given to vaccination for key personnel at ports in Turkey.

Hakan Genç stated that countries, especially the US and Europe, have started to include port workers in their vaccination programs so that their foreign trade is not disrupted, and gave the following examples: “Mass protection against the pandemic is through widespread vaccination. On the other hand, in a situation where 85 percent of global transportation is carried out by sea, transportation systems other than maritime transportation will be restricted with the complete closure of countries, as we saw during the most intense periods of the pandemic. Major problems will arise. Thus, it is clear that much more load will fall on the seaway. In this respect, countries, especially the USA, Asia and Europe, have started to include port workers in their vaccination programs, especially in order to prevent disruptions in their foreign trade. As TÜRKLİM, we are also closely following ports abroad through the international institutions we are a member of. In Europe, especially Italy and Spain, the USA and China, the outbreak that spread among port workers in the early stages of the pandemic caused serious disruptions in the country's entire supply chain, with ports becoming inoperable. Today, we see that all of these countries have placed their ports at the top of their vaccination programs in order to prevent ports from stopping and supply chains from being disrupted against the risk of a re-emergence of the outbreak."

"The current order may take a long time"

Emphasizing the importance of ports in terms of the Turkish economy and foreign trade, Genç argued that vaccination should be brought forward for some port personnel in Turkey, as in other countries. Genç said, "When we look at the vaccination program announced by the Ministry of Health, we see that transportation sector workers are in the A9 category in the second stage. Depending on this program and the vaccination rate in our country, this may take a longer time. Due to the strategic importance of ports, it will be in the interest of our country to prioritize the vaccination of at least the ‘key personnel’ determined by our port operators and bring forward the vaccination. This situation will serve to prevent the disruption of our country’s logistics and supply chains against the possible increase and re-spreading of the epidemic,” he said.

“A 20% quota can be given to each port”

Rif Line Logistics Turkey General Manager Mehmet Serkan Erdem also said that personnel who perform critical duties in ports in Turkey should be given priority in vaccination. Erdem made the following statement on the subject: The fact that 800 people caught COVID-19 in the US ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach paralyzed the supply chain. There is no need to reinvent the US. Tower crane operators and personnel using unloading and loading equipment in Turkish ports should be given priority in vaccination as a matter of urgency. The number of people in these special duties in all Turkish ports will not exceed a thousand. The transportation sector is in the second stage of vaccination, in the A9 section. However, this may be too late. Priority lists can be requested from ports. A 20% quota can be given to each port directorate. Priority should be given to these personnel who receive special training and are difficult to replace.”

UND: Logistics should be at the top of the list

Fatih Şener, Head of Strategy and Business Development at the International Freight Forwarders Association (UND), said that the vaccination order for logistics workers should be brought forward. Şener said, “Logisticians in China should be vaccinated