Hot Port News from GAC
26-Feb-2020
ENHANCEMENT OF BERTH DRAFTS
Paradip, India
CREW CHANGES PROHIBITED IN PORT
Mesaieed, Qatar
OIL SECTOR SHIPS EXEMPTION
Kuwait
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Singapore
PREVENTING INFECTION AND SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS
Sri Lanka
SUSPECTED CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
SAMPLING & ANALYSIS PROCEDURE
Aliaga & Tutunciftlik Tupras Refineries, Turkey
CRUISE VESSEL CALLS SUSPENDED
Bahrain
DISEMBARKATION OF SHIP’S CREW
Bahrain
PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Hamad, Qatar
DECLARATION OF SHIPS AT RAS LAFFAN
Ras Laffan, Qatar
DECLARATION OF SHIPS AT MESAIEED
Mesaieed, Qatar
ARRIVALS FROM ITALY
Jordan
CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES
Jordan
ADVANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS CALLING AT GREEK PORTS
Greece
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-NCOV) PRECAUTIONS
Salalah, Oman
Enhancement of berth drafts
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Paradip, India
The draft at the following berths are hereby enhanced as follows for the month of March 2020 considering weather and tidal conditions:
BERTH No.5 (CB-1)
– 00:00 hours on 2 March to 24:00 hours on 6 March / 00:00 hours on 16 March to 24:00 hours on 21 March
– Permissible draft: 15.00 metres
BERTH No.4 (IOB)
– 00:00 hours on 2 March to 24:00 hours on 6 March / 00:00 hours on 16 March to 24:00 hours on 21 March
– Permissible draft: 13.20 metres
BERTH No.5 (CB-1)
– 10:00 hours on 30 March to 24:00 hours on 31 March
– Permissible draft: 15.00 metres
BERTH No.4 (IOB)
– 10:00 hours on 30 March to 24:00 hours on 31 March
– Permissible draft: 13.20 metres
NOTE 1: The above notice is purely temporary and can be withdrawn at any time without prior information due to sudden changes in weather condition.
NOTE 2: Draft for other days for above berths and drafts for other berths shall remain as per the original notification No: MD/SHS/TECH-26/2019=8/894 dated 04.07.2018.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Paradip Port Trust Marine Department Notice No: MD/SHS/TECH-26/2018(Vol.1) dated 24 February 2020
Crew changes prohibited in port
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Mesaieed, Qatar
The authorities at Mesaieed have advised that crew changes are strictly prohibited at the port, except for emergency cases, which must be approved by IPR(M).
Crew changes for project/offshore vessels is permitted, provided that the Master confirms that no onboard staff was in China or in contact with any person from China during last 14 days, and that they do not have a temperature exceeding 37.8 degrees Celsius.
All vessels calling at the port must submit Corona Virus Form and International health Declaration with pre-Arrival information 72/48/24 hour prior to arrivals.
All agents, Authorities to use an approved PPE (masks + gloves) prior to boarding vessels.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com
Oil sector ships exemption
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Kuwait
As part of efforts to prevent the spread of the NOVEL CORONAVIRUS through maritime ports and border crossings, pursuing to the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Global Health and the Global Health Epidemic on the emergence of cases of NOVEL CORONAVIRUS infected.
Oil Sector Ships are excluded from circular no.(3)/2020 [which stated that Kuwait ports are prohibited from receiving foreign ships arriving from/departing to China, Hong Kong, Iraq, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand], with certainty and care for the boarding of preventive health personnel in ports – Ministry of Health boarding ships coming from the countries mentioned.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Kuwait, contact GAC Kuwait at kuwait@gac.com)
Source: Kuwait Port Authority Circular No.(3)/2020 Exception
Additional precautionary measures
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Singapore
In view of the surge in the number of confirmed cases in the Republic of Korea, particularly in Daegu city and Cheongdo county, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce will put in place further precautionary measures to limit the risk that travellers from these affected regions pose to Singapore…
…Daegu and Cheongdo have been designated as “special care zones”. The Republic of Korea government has raised the alert level to the highest level of ‘serious’, and has aggressively strengthened its response system to reduce the risk of further transmission.
With the rapidly evolving situation in these regions, visitors and returning travellers from Daegu and Cheongdo pose a heightened risk to Singapore. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has decided to step up precautionary measures to limit the potential risk this group poses to Singapore, based on the current risk assessment.
From 26 February 2020, 2359 hours, all new visitors with recent travel history to Daegu and Cheongdo within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or transit through Singapore.
The following returning groups will be issued with a Stay-Home Notice (SHN):
a) Residents (Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents) with recent travel history to Daegu and Cheongdo within the last 14 days;
and
b) Long-term pass holders (including work passes and permits, Student’s Pass, Dependent’s Pass, and Long-term Visit Pass) with recent travel history to Daegu and Cheongdo within the last 14 days.
Under the SHN, they will have to remain in their place of residence at all times for a 14-day period after returning to Singapore…
…The Ministry of Health has already expanded the definition of suspect cases to include persons with pneumonia or severe respiratory infection with breathlessness who had been to Daegu and/or Cheongdo of the Republic of Korea, within 14 days before onset of symptoms. Cases meeting the expanded definition will be referred to hospitals for further assessment.
The previously announced travel advisory for Singaporeans to defer all travel to Hubei Province and all non-essential travel to Mainland China, as well as measures on Hubei travellers and returning residents from Hubei, remain in place…
(For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Extracts from Singapore Ministry of Health News Highlights dated 25 February 2020
Preventing infection and spread of Coronavirus
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Port Quarantine Department requires a Maritime Declaration form to be completed and submitted for each disembarking personnel/crew.
Further, vessels’ Maritime Declaration of Health must include signature and the vessel’s stamp 36 hours before arrival. The date to be mentioned in Maritime Declaration of Health form should be one day prior to ETA as the same is required by the Health officials for necessary arrangements to be made.
Information about the last 10 ports of call list & IMO crew list must be provided 48 hours in advance in order obtain necessary permissions from the authorities.
All off-signing crew members should wear respiratory face masks when disembarking. This is a compulsory requirement from the Government Quarantine Department.
All Masters should send e-mail confirming that there are no sick or injured crew onboard 12 hours before arrival at OPL Galle, as the same must be submitted to the authorities and port control Galle will request the same from Masters through VHF comm. This applies to all vessels calling Galle OPL and anchorage.
The General Health Declaration (high risk travelers onboard) form must be completed with an additional page if any Chinese crew will be disembarking from the vessel. The date should be one day prior vessel ETA.
GAC Sri Lanka is taking steps to ensure its staff are aware of the risk of COVID-19, symptoms, and best practices and measures to be taken to avoid infection.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, contact GAC Sri Lanka at srilanka@gac.com
Suspected Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
Ships calling at Fujairah Offshore Anchorage or Port of Fujairah having crew suspected with symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID – 19) need to follow the below given instructions:
Ship Master has to send a health declaration 72 hours prior arriving at Fujairah Offshore Anchorage through the vessel’s local agent.
Ship has to wait at off port limits for further instruction and guidelines from the Control Tower.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Fujairah, contact GAC Fujairah at fujairah@gac.com)
Source: Port of Fujairah Notice to Mariners 273 dated 26 February 2020
Sampling & analysis procedure
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Aliaga & Tutunciftlik Tupras Refineries, Turkey
Tupras Petrol Rafinerileri A.S. have verbally advised that they have started a sampling and analysis procedure for all vessels which call at their terminals.
In this case, even if terminal’s berths are suitable, the appointed agent of the vessel will arrange the vessel’s customs arrival clearance first on her arrival and, upon completion of the sample and analysis procedure, vessels can berth based on sample results.
For information about operations in Turkey contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Cruise vessel calls suspended
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Bahrain
In accordance to the instructions received from the higher Authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, The Ports and Maritime Affairs would like to inform you that all cruise vessel calls are suspended effective from 25th February 2020 for 2 weeks until 10th March 2020, the suspension is subject to extension depending on the overall situation.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Bahrain, contact GAC Bahrain at bahrain@gac.com)
Source: Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Notice No.2 regarding Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dated 26 February 2020
Disembarkation of ship’s crew
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Bahrain
In accordance to the instructions received from the higher Authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, The Ports and Maritime Affairs would like to inform you that ship’s crew arriving on board international voyages; are not allowed to temporarily disembark from the vessels or enter the Kingdom, except for the following cases which will be subject to the evaluation of the Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs and Ministry of Health:
1) Crew joining vessels arriving via Bahrain International Airport.
2) Emergency cases that requires hospital admission.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Bahrain, contact GAC Bahrain at bahrain@gac.com)
Source: Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Notice No.3 regarding Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dated 26 February 2020
Pre-arrival information
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Hamad, Qatar
All vessels calling at Hamad port are to submit the declaration form with Pre-Arrival Information 72/48/24 Hours prior to arrival.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com
Declaration of ships at Ras Laffan
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Ras Laffan, Qatar
In light of the 2019-2020 outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China, Ras Laffan Port Authority is releasing the following advice/information to minimize the risks to seafarers, passengers and others on board their vessels:
Any vessel which has visited a Chinese port in the last thirty (30) days, and at least three (3) days prior to arrival, shall submit the CORONAVIRUS DECLARATION, together with the Marine Declaration of Health and Pre-Arrival Questionnaire.
Agents are to stress to the Masters to fill in this form, and the Maritime Declaration of Health. All the questions are to be answered correctly.
Please note that the following special conditions will apply to vessels who have answered yes to any of the questions in the declaration:
– Disembarking of crew will be prohibited during vessel stay in Ras Laffan Port Limits.
– Port and shore personnel are not allowed to embark/attend to the vessel until the Health Department clears the vessel.
The Ras Laffan Port Authority reserves the right to further scrutinize any incoming vessel if it deems necessary in the interest of public health.
If a vessel declares that crew members are suffering from any sickness in relation to this declaration, the vessel will be refused clearance at first instance, and will be referred to other agencies on a case-by-case basis.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com)
Source: Qatar Petroleum, Manager Ras Laffan Industrial City, Circular No. VI/R/05/2020
Declaration of ships at Mesaieed
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Mesaieed, Qatar
In light of the 2019-2020 outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China, Mesaieed Port Department is releasing the following advice/information to minimize the risks to seafarers, passengers and others on board their vessels:
Any vessel which has visited a Chinese port in the last thirty (30) days, and at least three (3) days prior to arrival, shall submit the CORONAVIRUS DECLARATION, together with the Marine Declaration of Health and Pre-Arrival Questionnaire.
Agents are to stress to the Masters to fill in this form, and the Maritime Declaration of Health. All the questions are to be answered carefully.
Please note that the following special conditions will apply to vessels who have answered yes to any of the questions in the declaration:
– Disembarking of crew will be prohibited during vessel stay in Mesaieed Port Limits.
– Port and shore personnel are not allowed to embark/attend to the vessel until the Health Department clears the vessel.
The Mesaieed Port Department reserves the right to further scrutinize any incoming vessel if it deems necessary in the interest of public health.
If a vessel declares that crew members are suffering from any sickness in relation to this declaration, the vessel will be refused clearance at first instance, and will be referred to other agencies on a case-by-case basis.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com)
Source: Qatar Petroleum, Manager Mesaieed Industrial City, Circular No. MIC/2020/002
Arrivals from Italy
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Jordan
The Jordanian Ministry of Interior has advised that foreigners who have been in Italy are restricted from entering Jordan if 14 days have not passed since they left Italy. This pre‐cautionary measure is being taken to prevent the Coronavirus to be transmitted into Jordan.
The above excludes Jordanian citizens, their wives and Jordanians who carry a foreign passports.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Jordan, contact GAC Jordan at jordan@gac.com)
Source: Free translation of Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents letter dated 25 February 2020
Coronavirus guidelines
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Jordan
The below guidelines have been issued for ships calling at Jordanian ports:
Vessels calling at Aqaba must provide the Jordan Maritime Commission with their schedule for the last 30 days before arrival.
A copy of the vessel’s last ten ports of call should be provided for the vessels arriving in Jordan Territorial Waters, specifying if any of the ports have registered cases of coronavirus.
Date and time of the vessel’s last Chinese port of call must be specified.
The Jordan Maritime Commission must be informed us of any injuries/incidents which occurred at the same period of Coronavirus disease, specifying at which port and what procedures were taken to evacuate the patient.
Check with the master of the vessel for any current or potential cases presented on board.
For vessels entering Jordan Territorial Waters, the master must provide a medical report
which states that the vessel is free from viruses. The Commission must be Informed of any related disease that has existed onboard, and the procedures taken afterwards.
A designated area must be prepared with all the medical requirements to enhance patients’ immunity.
The pratique community is provided with special protective equipment and manual
thermal detector to be used as needed.
When informing relevant parties regarding permission for crew disembarkation, a photo of crew names and nationalities must be provided. If there has been a crew change during the voyage, the date, time and reason for the change must be declared 48 hours before arrival to Aqaba port, in order to contact Health Directorate Liaison Officers and related authorities to take precautionary and preventive measures.
Check that all crew members are present on the vessel with no isolated cases and that no crew member suspected of having the virus disembarked the vessel at any of the previous ports.
Workers who interact directly with vessel’s crew to wear general safety & hygiene clothes, such as masks and gloves as well as using hand sanitizers.
Vessels’ masters to note that crew must wearing health protection clothing and equipment, and use hand sanitizers at the vessel’s entrance – especially for vessels arriving from China – to prevent the transmission of the virus.
A physical examination is required on the treatment room and the existing medicationq
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Jordan, contact GAC Jordan at jordan@gac.com
Advance requirements for vessels calling at Greek ports
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Greece
As per information provided by port authorities, a Maritime Declaration of Health must be sent, duly signed and stamped, 48 hours prior to a ship’s arrival at a Greek port.
If there is a suspicion of any cases of the coronavirus onboard, the following must also be sent:
Crew list
Passenger list (If passengers on board)
Contact details and person in charge from ship’s owners and/or management company
Agent’s contact details and person in charge.
Confirmation that all necessary measures had been taken based on the World Health Organization and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (EU):
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Greece, contact GAC Greece at greece@gac.com
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) precautions
Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Salalah, Oman
Ministry of Health, port quarantine department directs as follows:
Any vessel that visited China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Iran, the vessel crew and the nationals of the said countries are not permitted to proceed ashore, even if 14 days have elapsed since departure from the countries mentioned above.
All shipping agents are requested to submit/mail list of last 10 ports called and crew list with their nationality of vessel calling under their agency to the port quarantine department (Dr. Mohammed – 99087246), port control and port HSSE department, without which the Pre Arrival Notification will not be approved on vessel declaration portal.
All shipping agents are to declare the vessels arriving from China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Iran, well in advance to the port quarantine department, port control and port HSSE department with all required documents including that narrating the health condition of the crew onboard.
Kindly inform your good vessels to ensure sufficient stock of dispensers of alcohol based hand sanitizer, PPE, such as face masks, N95 respirators and disposable gloves are maintained donned by vessel crew, also insist to use/done the said protective measures by all shore personnel (pilot, agent, customs, immigration, quarantine staff) visiting the vessel during her port stay. All used PPE must be disposed of safely in the trash and not to be reused.
(For information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com)
Source: Port of Salalah Marine Notice No.02/2020 dated 25 February 202
