Hot Port News from GAC
27-Feb-2020
FIRING PRACTICE
Chattogram (Chittagong), Bangladesh
IMPACT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK ON SINGAPORE-REGISTERED SHIPS
Singapore
MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH
Singapore
EXTENSION OF COVID-19 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Singapore
BERTHING OF SHIPS WITH CARGO FROM AFFECTED COUNTRIES
Kuwait
FURTHER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
United Arab Emirates
FREE PRATIQUE
Italy
CORONAVIRUS: MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH
Malta
CORONAVIRUS INTERIM PORT PROTOCOL
Gibraltar
Firing practice
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Chattogram (Chittagong), Bangladesh
Bangladesh Navy ships will carry out firing practice from 1 to 31 March daily (except weekly holidays: Friday and Saturday) from 0600 to 2200 hours local time in the area bounded by the following co-ordinates:
VGD-30 (Firing Area-30)
21 deg. 20.83’N / 090 deg. 34.00’E
21 deg. 41.00’N / 091 deg. 14.00’E
21 deg. 20.83’N / 091 deg. 28.00’E
21 deg. 00.00’N / 090 deg. 47.83’E
Safety Height/Altitude Clearance: Above 3,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-33 (Firing Area-33)
20 deg. 22.00’N / 091 deg. 06.00’E
20 deg. 46.50’N / 091 deg. 31.00’E
20 deg. 24.00’N / 091 deg. 59.00’E
20 deg. 00.00’N / 091 deg. 36.00’E
Safety Height/Altitude Clearance: Above 3,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-35 (Firing Area-35)
20 deg. 58.00’N / 089 deg. 34.00’E
20 deg. 58.00’N / 089 deg. 54.00’E
20 deg. 34.00’N / 089 deg. 54.00’E
20 deg. 34.00’N / 089 deg. 34.00’E
Safety Height/Altitude Clearance: Above 3,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-32 (Firing Area-32)
20 deg. 07.00’N / 090 deg. 52.00’E
20 deg. 22.00’N / 091 deg. 06.00’E
20 deg. 00.00’N / 091 deg. 36.00’E
19 deg. 44.00’N / 091 deg. 21.00’E
Safety Height/Altitude Clearance: Above 12,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-34 (Firing Area-34)
21 deg. 18.00’N / 089 deg. 31.00’E
21 deg. 18.00’N / 089 deg. 50.00’E
21 deg. 04.00’N / 089 deg. 54.00’E
21 deg. 04.00’N / 089 deg. 34.83’E
Safety Height/Altitude Clearance: Above 12,000 meters from mean sea level
In case of cyclone warning (Local Warning Signal No IV or above), the above mentioned firing areas will be considered inactive automatically.
All ships and crafts are requested to navigate with cation and keep well clear of assigned danger area on the above specified schedules.
(For information about operations in Bangladesh contact the GAC Dubai Huib Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Bangladesh Mercantile Marine Office, Chattogram, Notice to Mariners No.05 of 2020 dated 24 February 2020
Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on Singapore-registered ships
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Singapore
MPA understands that in view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, owners and managers of Singapore-registered ships (SRS) are facing challenges in meeting various statutory requirements under the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Act (the MLC Act), the Merchant Shipping Act and the subsidiary legislations.
These challenges may include the timely repatriation of seafarers onboard SRS at the end of the period in the seafarer’s employment agreement (SEA), deployment of seafarers who are not able to obtain revalidation from training institutes for their expiring certifications, inability to obtain shipyard dry-docking services, inability to carry out mandatory periodical surveys, audits and inspections in time, etc.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) empathises with the situation faced by the owners and managers of SRS and desires to take a pragmatic approach to assist the industry in overcoming these challenges. The following paragraphs include a non-exhaustive list of scenarios and provide instructions for SRS owners and managers who face such challenging issues due to the COVID-19 outbreak, to obtain MPA’s favourable consideration and expedited approval.
EXTENSION OF SEA SERVICE BEYOND CONTRACT PERIOD
SRS owners and managers unable to repatriate seafarers who have completed the employment duration as stipulated in the seafarers’ SEA in accordance with Section 23 of the MLC Act may submit a request to MPA for extension of the sea service period. Documents to be submitted as follows:
A) Employment details of the affected seafarers
B) Confirmation of consent by the affected seafarers
The extension of contractual period of the seafarers should be reflected on the corresponding SEA of the affected seafarers. Ship owners and managers should also ensure that the notification of crew list to MPA, in accordance with Section 15 of the MLC Act, is carried out.
EXTENSION OF SEA SERVICE PERIOD BEYOND QUALIFICATION REVALIDATION DEADLINE
Consideration will be given to allow seafarers who hold foreign issued Certificates of Competencies (COC) to continue serving onboard SRS, if they are unable to revalidate their COC before the expiry date due to the COVID-19 outbreak. SRS owners and managers may submit such request in-writing to MPA, accompanied with a confirmation of continued validity from the issuing authority of the seafarer’s COC.
MPA will issue a flag administration confirmation letter for the seafarer to continue serving onboard SRS. No fees will be charged for this endorsement. 8. For Singapore COC holders, MPA will issue a letter to extend validity of the COC of the holders who may not be able to disembark due to the captioned grounds, similarly without fees.
EXTENSION OF MANDATORY SURVEYS, AUDITS AND EXPIRY OF STATUTORY CERTIFICATES
Consideration will also be given to the extension of mandatory statutory surveys, inspections or audits. Application for extension of surveys/inspections/audits or validity of statutory certificates may be submitted to MPA, accompanied by recommendation from the recognised organisation (RO) that issued the relevant certificate on behalf of MPA.
We advise SRS owners and managers to submit such application before the due date of the surveys/audits or expiry date of the statutory certificate in order to avoid Port State Control issues.
All application for dispensations as mentioned in paragraphs 4, 6 and 9 may be submitted to MPA at email: shipping@mpa.gov.sg
Notwithstanding the above email contact, SRS owners and managers may contact our Duty Officers during after-office-hours for urgent matters at our 24/7 hotline, +65 62255777.
(For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular No.03 of 2020 dated 26 February 2020
Maritime Declaration of Health
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Singapore
This circular supersedes Port Marine Circular 03 of 2020 dated 01 Feb 2020, and brings to the attention of the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) requirements to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health to the Port Health Office. These requirements are applicable for:
a) all arriving vessels that have called at ports in China in the past 14 days;
OR
b) all arriving vessels with crew/passengers who have travelled to mainland China in the past 14 days;
OR
c) all arriving passenger ships (with the exception of ferries operated by MPA-licensed regional ferry service operators).;
OR
d) all arriving vessels with crew/passengers who have travelled to Daegu city or Cheongdo county of Republic of Korea within the last 14 days.
This declaration is part of the measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) into Singapore and will come into effect from 26 February 2020, 2359h. It must be submitted to the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) 24 hours before arrival at Singapore Port.
The master of the ship is recommended to implement the following additional precautionary measures:
• Educate crew/passengers of the symptoms of COVID-2019, which are:
– Fever;
– Runny nose;
– Cough;
and
– Shortness of breath
• Carry out daily temperature checks for all crew/passengers at least twice a day;
• Isolate unwell crew/passengers when his/her temperature is above 38 degree Celsius. The unwell crew should also wear a mask;
and
• Disinfect common areas and rooms in the vessel before arrival in Singapore. The disinfection may be conducted by the ship’s crew en-route to Singapore. You can refer to the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Non-Healthcare Commercial Premises prepared by NEA for guidance on the disinfection protocols, if needed.
(For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular No.06 of 2020 dated 26 February 2020
Extension of COVID-19 precautionary measures
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Singapore
Since 24 January 2020, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has implemented temperature screening at all sea checkpoints, including ferry and cruise terminals, PSA terminals and Jurong Port, for inbound travellers. MPA has also put up health advisories at the sea checkpoints to inform travellers and ship crew on the precautionary measures to take when travelling, as well as to remain vigilant and adopt good hygiene practices.
In line with Singapore Ministry of Health’s (MOH) press release dated 31 January 2020, and 25 February 2020 (ANNEX 2), the MPA will extend the precautionary measures to include the following:
a. All arriving vessels with crew/passengers with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days;
b. All arriving vessels that have called at ports in China in the past 14 days;
and
c. All arriving vessels with crew/passengers with recent travel history to Daegu city or Cheongdo county of Republic of Korea within the last 14 days. This will take effect from 26 February 2020, 2359h
Ships can continue to berth at terminals to carry out operations.
MPA advises the shipping community to adhere closely to the health advisory. The National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Port Health requires the following vessels to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form:
a. All arriving vessels that have called at ports in China in the past 14 days;
or
b. All arriving vessels with crew/passengers who have travelled to mainland China in the past 14 days;
or
c. All arriving passenger ships (with the exception of ferries operated by MPA-licensed regional ferry service operators);
or
d. All arriving vessels with crew/passengers who have travelled to Daegu city or Cheongdo county of Republic of Korea within the last 14 days
MPA also urges all crew members on-board to have their temperature taken twice a day. There are also guidelines on how to isolate unwell crew and passengers. For guidance on the disinfection protocols of common areas and rooms in the vessel, please refer to the NEA’s website for the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Non-Healthcare Commercial Premises, if needed. If any of their crew or passengers are unwell, they should report the incident to the Marine Safety Control Centre at 6325 2488/2489…
…Ship owners, managers, operators, agents and masters of Singapore-registered vessels should monitor the health of their crew closely. Masters of such vessels are required to report to their company, MPA and destination port authorities, if their crew are unwell, experience respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, runny nose, shortness of breath) or feel feverish.
Temperature Screening at Cruise and Ferry Terminals. Since 08 February 2020, 2359hrs, cruise and ferry terminal operators have implemented centralised outbound temperature screening for departing passengers. This is an additional precautionary measure by the terminal operators to ensure the health and safety of all passengers and crew.
Cleaning and Disinfection. Cruise and ferry operators have also stepped up their cleaning and disinfection regime on board the cruise ships and ferries, especially in common or public areas to help prevent the widespread transmission of COVID-19.
PSA and Jurong Port are also taking precautionary measures for employees returning to Singapore. Some of these measures include allowing eligible staff to telecommute and providing frontline staff with paid Leave of Absence where they are unable to work remotely.
(For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular No.07 of 2020 dated 26 February 2020
Berthing of ships with cargo from affected countries
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Kuwait
Kuwait’s Ministry of Communications has issued another circular stating that in order to contribute to the economic stability and to mitigate the effects of the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of health recommends allowing ships carrying goods from the Republic of Korea, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China and Hong Kong to berth.
The Circular No (3) / 2020 EXCEPTION 2 dated 26 February 2020 notes that the emphasis remains on prohibiting direct contact with the crew and preventing them from disembarking from the ship for two weeks from the date of their departure from the affected ports.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Kuwait, contact GAC Kuwait at kuwait@gac.com
Further precautionary measures
Thursday, February 27, 2020, United Arab Emirates
In the precautionary measure undertaken by the UAE to ensure strict monitoring and prevention of the spread of the new Coronavirus, it has been decided to:
Suspend ferry services with Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice from FTA.
Ship masters should send health declaration 72 hours before arrival to UAE to the port authorities irrespective of their last port of call, with undertaking from the Master that no crew member is suffering from any symptoms suggestive of Corona Virus illness.
Symptoms may appear after vessel arrival during the vessel stay at anchorage or at the berth, therefore port authorities should remind Master of the vessel to report any suspected cases after her arrival.
Suspected cases should be reported immediately by the port to the FTA and the Health authorities.
For further clarification please contact: SHIPPING@fta.gov.ae
(For further details and updates, or information about operations in the United Arab Emirates, contact GAC at abudhabi@gac.com, dubai@gac.com, fujairah@gac.com, rasalkhaimah@gac.com or sharjah@gac.com)
Source: United Arab Emirates Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime Circular No (2) 2020 dated 27 February 2020
Free pratique
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Italy
As per the Italian Ministry of Health Notice dated 24 February, due to the coronavirus issue, all vessels arriving from any port (Italian, European or beyond) must request free pratique between 12 and 4 hours prior to arrival in port. Requests sent earlier will be rejected.
This request must have attached:
a) Maritime Declaration of Health;
b) Copy of the vessel’s Sanitation Exemption Certificate;
c) Copy of crew and passenger list (with sign-on date/place of any crew/passenger and changes carried out in the last 30 days, advising where each crew/passenger has come from);
d) list of last ports called in the past 14 days.
Based on the information provided by the Master, the Health Office will release free pratique or request additional information and take necessary actions.
After receiving free pratique, vessel’s Master must promptly communicate to the local health office any change of Health conditions on board during the vessel’s stay in port and until departure.
Without free pratique, a vessel cannot operate/proceed to berth and no-one may leave/board, except authorised authorities.
For information about operations in Italy, contact GAC’s Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com
Coronavirus: Maritime Declaration of Health
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Malta
All ships are to provide the Port Health Office in a timely manner information of ports of call of affected country/region as required by the Maritime Declaration of Health for vessel to enter port.
Ship agents/operators and the Master of ship are further reminded of their legal obligations in accordance with International Health regulations to notify the Port Health Medic (PHM) doctor on-call of any circumstances on board which are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease as per the Maritime Declaration of Health. The ship medical officer/master is to indicate to the PHM whether there are any persons who came from China within the last 14 days and whether they intend to disembark or embark such persons.
In addition, in the event that any crew member and/or passenger that Arrived in Malta from Mainland China or other affected area develops acute respiratory infection symptoms within 14 days from the departure, they must contact Public Health Authorities on Tel. +356 21324086 or +356 21224810.
(For information about operations in Malta, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Transport Malta, Ports and Yachting Directorate, Port Notice No.4 of 2020
Coronavirus Interim Port Protocol
Thursday, February 27, 2020, Gibraltar
The Gibraltar Health Authority has issued a Coronavirus Interim Port Protocol, and as a precautionary measure, the protocol prohibits the disembarkation of any person who has visited any of the coronavirus affected countries within the preceding 15 days.
The protocol states the following:
Remote pilotage requirements will be applied to the vessel.
No crew members will be allowed to disembark the vessel during its call at Gibraltar.
With respect to ongoing operations shore personnel embarking / attending the vessel will not be allowed then to disembark.
Shore personnel are to minimise all interaction with the crew as much as practically possible.
The GPA reserves the right to further scrutinise any incoming vessel if it deems necessary in the interest of public health. When you mention cargo ops. If vessel will be taking bunkers no crew from the other vessel can visit the bunker barge nor vice versa if the vessel has special conditions. If vessel where to call alongside this will need to be referred to public health.
For information about operations in Gibraltar, contact GAC Gibraltar at agency.gibraltar@gac.com
