Seafarer health main priority
(Posted on 06/12/20)
International leading catering management and training provider MCTC says the shipping industry must continue to focus on supporting seafarers' overall wellbeing and health despite the prospect of a silver bullet in the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine.
While the vaccine offers a return to normality, seafarers health still needs to be a priority, it stressed.
Kyriacos Georgiou, MCTC’s Head of Catering & Training, said: “COVID-19 has really shaken up the industry to focus on health which has been fantastic. Governments advised people to focus on exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle and they listened. My fear now is that people will resort to old habits post-COVID-19. Living a wholesome lifestyle will be just as important moving forwards.”
Food Nutritionist, Nichole Stylianou, added: “The World Health Organization (WHO) promoted and encouraged healthy diets and recommended everyone increasing their Vitamin D to tackle the virus. Vitamin D can be found in mushrooms, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines), eggs and Vitamin D fortified foods. Your diet impacts on your physical and mental health and it must be rich in all vitamins and minerals. The overall messages were for people to pay close attention to their lifestyle choices.”
MCTC’s Managing Director, Christian Ioannou, added: “During the pandemic the industry’s priority has been to keep seafarers safe through encouraging social distancing, face masks, promoting exercise and a healthy diet. After COVID-19, the industry needs to remember that the workforce must stay healthy. It is always a balance between fresh food and good nutrition and hitting often tight daily catering budgets. This is something MCTC can advise on.”
MCTC has a full Catering Management Service which works within clients’ budgets to control costs. its Catering Management service covers the vessel’s entire catering management needs such as recipe planning, menu management, health and nutrition, including ordering supplies, which all reduce vessel running costs. Clients who sign up to this service also receive the complimentary Catering Competency Development Programme. This training package is designed to increase standards in the galley by training and supporting catering staff.
MCTC believes that catering crews should have a much deeper level of knowledge to ensure they understand the importance of good nutrition and how to cater for different nationalities and health needs.
“The WHO together with Governments stated that leading a healthy lifestyle was paramount in helping to tackle the virus. Here at MCTC, we believe nutrition needs to stay top of the agenda in the maritime industry. The health of our seafarers is important, and we need to keep building a better and healthier industry,” stressed Mr Ioannou.
Latest News
Posidonia 2026 takes centre stage amid global freedom of navigation challenges
(Posted on 29/05/26)From insurance and risk management to energy transition, digitalisation and maritime security, the Posidonia... Read more
First maritime compliance & prevention-focused organisation, PaS, joins DBCE
(Posted on 29/05/26)Prevention at Sea (PaS), a leading maritime compliance, auditing, and digital solutions provider, has... Read more
NorthStandard reports strong results and strategic momentum
(Posted on 29/05/26)NorthStandard has reported strong financial results, continued strategic progress and enhanced support... Read more
Latest guidance for vessel transit through Strait of Hormuz
(Posted on 25/05/26)Hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz and, in the event of a return to more... Read more
The Bahamas regains QUALSHIP 21 eligibility
(Posted on 25/05/26)The Bahamas has regained eligibility for the United States Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 programme... Read more
First dedicated STS standard for dry bulk released by INTERCARGO
(Posted on 22/05/26)Ship to ship (STS) transfers are an established part of dry bulk operations, and they are growing. As... Read more
Columbia reinforces commitment to maritime talent
(Posted on 22/05/26)Columbia Group has strengthened its commitment to developing the next generation of maritime professionals... Read more
Jamaica marks 50 years at IMO with call for island states to shape future
(Posted on 22/05/26)The Maritime Authority of Jamaica has marked Jamaica’s 50th anniversary as a member of the International... Read more
Costamare Bulkers logs first profit after Cargill deal removes most legacy trading
(Posted on 14/05/26)Costamare Bulkers Holdings Limited has reported unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended... Read more
NORDEN strengthens fleet with the addition of four Handysize vessels
(Posted on 13/05/26)NORDEN have announced that they have expanded their fleet with the purchase of four dry cargo Handysize... Read more
