New COVID rapid test reduces barriers to crew changes

(SINGAPORE) —  In an exclusive agreement between a leading pharma manufacturing company based in Singapore and AlphaRize Management Ltd. to distribute rapid result COVID-19 testing kits, one of the major challenges to the crew-change crisis can be overcome.

The Rapid Antigen Test Kit offers a quick testing kit for crews before joining a vessel as well as for their departure and arrival at ports. This could be the game changer in safeguarding seafarers on board and controlling surprise expenses related to COVID-19 (delays, demurrage, missing laycan and more).  It also provides assurances of health to port state countries working to protect their citizens while keeping commerce moving.

Coronavirus Peoplecopy

The Rapid Antigen Test Kit is European Union CE certified and targets every pertinent issue plaguing the testing space: ease of use, availability, efficacy and cost.  Many countries are looking to get priority access to such kits, especially considering the renewed urgency brought upon by the new mutation of the virus.

The Rapid Antigen Test Kit does not require lab equipment as everything needed to conduct the test is in the box and can be carried out by designated medical officer on board. It is a saliva/sputum-based test versus the common nasal or throat swabs and provides results in 15 minutes instead of one to three days as per current practice. It is accurate with high sensitivity of 95 percent and specificity of 100 percent.  Additional certifications are in the process in the United Kingdom and United States, and it also detects the mutant strains which are emerging.

Instant results mean that prompt decisions can be made on board with regard to further testing and isolation of confirmed cases. Additionally, this ensures better management of infected individuals, since results are available within 15 minutes which reduces the risk of an infected person passing on the infection to others on board while waiting for test results.

AlphaRize has sector exclusivity with the rollout of the Rapid Antigen Test Kit for the maritime community. For more information, contact Mitul Dave at use Info@Alpha-Rize.com.

– AlphaRize Management Ltd.

By Professional Mariner Staff