Hot Port News from GAC
21-Mar-2020
WORLD HOLIDAYS: 22 MARCH-4 APRIL 2020
Worldwide
UPDATED COVID-19 INFORMATION
Norway
SAFETY MEASURES FOR VESSELS
Grand Bahama Anchorage, Bahamas
MARINE CREW DEEMED ESSENTIAL
Canada
INSTRUCTIONS TO PORTS FOR DEALING WITH COVID-19 PANDEMIC
India
COVID-19 RESPONSE (20 MARCH UPDATE)
Panama Canal, Panama
MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH (UPDATE 20 MARCH)
Singapore
ISLAND-WIDE CURFEW
Sri Lanka
HUSBANDRY SERVICES SUSPENDED
Tutunciftlik & Aliaga, Turkey
RESTRICTED COUNTRY LIST NOW NUMBERS 68
Turkey
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS SUSPENDED
Pakistan
TANKERS ALSO SUBJECT TO 14-DAY QUARANTINE
Mumbai, India
‘STAY AT HOME’ PROCLAMATION ISSUED, MARITIME & PORT BUSINESSES EXCLUDED
New Orleans, United States
World Holidays: 22 March-4 April 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Worldwide
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the following:
Sun 22 Mar – Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad
Mon 23 Mar – Pakistan Day
Wed 25 Mar – Greek National Day
Mon 30 Mar – Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day (Trinidad & Tobago)
For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found at www.gac.com
Updated COVID-19 information
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Norway
The Norwegian Government has closed all airports and harbors, and only Norwegian citizens are allowed to enter. Exceptions are made for crew and other professionals needed to handle the flow of goods and transports, including vessel crew. However, crew changes need to be held to an absolute minimum.
Crew members and other persons on board who have not had any contact with persons outside the ship, and who are signing off in Norway after at least days on board without any symptoms, may be regarded as not infectious and do not need to be put in quarantine. Quarantine can be served on board, for at least 14 days after crew last went ashore in non-Norwegian port. However, quarantine can be imposed for on- and off-signing crew in Norway.
Shore leave is NOT permitted in any Norwegian ports.
All ports in Norway are closed for passenger transport, but cruise ships can come alongside for provisions, water supply, garbage removal and crew changes. Passengers and crew are not allowed to leave ships.
Visitors, services and inspections must be kept at an absolute minimum, and may in some ports not be allowed.
Loading/unloading operations at shipping terminals and flow of goods is not affected by this decision, but some HSSE precautions have been implemented related to Corona virus.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations, contact GAC Norway at norway@gac.com or go to https://deliveringyourstrategy.no/information-regarding-covid-19/
Safety measures for vessels
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Grand Bahama Anchorage, Bahamas
Grand Bahama Independent Pilots wish to advise on the necessary precautions that must be adhered to in order to mitigate against the threat of transmission of the COVID-19 virus to our pilots during the various stages of the operation.
Prior to Pilot boarding
One hour before Pilot boards;
Sanitize vessel’s bridge and equipment including;
– radars
– pilot chair
– piloting stations and open bridge wings
– consoles o binoculars
– door handles
– chart tables
– bridge windows
Advise Pilot or port officials on the health status of all persons on board; where there are ill persons aboard, the nature of the illness is to be disclosed.
Whilst Pilot is boarding
A further advisory to Pilot, via VHF radio, on the health status of all persons on board; where there are ill persons aboard, the nature of the illness is to be disclosed.
All shipboard personnel to, as far as practicable, maintain a personal space of at least two (2) metres away from the pilot
One-person only to escort the Pilot to the bridge
Only the escort and Pilot to be in stairwell or ship’s elevator when proceeding or departing the bridge
When Pilot on the vessel’s bridge
The Pilot will not greet any shipboard personnel with the customary handshake
Two (2) metre personal space to be borne in mind when completing Master/Pilot information exchange
For the near future, whilst the Pilot remains obliged to inform on his name, he should not be mandated to sign any documents including;
– Security logs
– Pilot cards
– Master/Pilot exchange forms
Only essential members of the crew are to be present in the wheelhouse during the conduct of the manoeuvre all of whom must sanitize their hands
Crew members and Pilots should avoid touching their own faces
Hand sanitizing material should be made available to Pilot and crew when on the bridge
Pilots will not board incoming vessels arriving within the last fourteen (14) days from our government-listed high-risk countries. Any vessel that has visited countries with a high incidence of the COVID-19 virus, less than fourteen days ago, would not be boarded. Additionally, where any crew member has joined the vessel within the last fourteen (14) days, Pilots will not be permitted aboard until further information on the specific crew is obtained and analyzed. We thank you for your assistance and understanding and we work to keep our Pilots and your vessel’s complement safe during these uncertain times.
(For information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Grand Bahama Independent Pilots Advisory Bulletin Re: COVID-19 Pandemic dated 20 March 2020
Marine crew deemed essential
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Canada
Transport Canada have issued a Ship Safety Bulletin confirming that marine crew are deemed essential, and that foreign seafarers who have to travel to Canada to work on a ship are exempt from the prohibition of entry into Canada introduced as part of the measures taken in light of COVID-19.
When flying into Canada, such seafarers must have in their possession a seafarer identity document issued in accordance with the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 2003 (ILO Convention No 185) supplemented by a passport; or other seafarer documentation, including proof of employment by a vessel operating out of a Canadian port; and a visa, if required.
For information about operations in Canada, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com
Instructions to ports for dealing with COVID-19 pandemic
Saturday, March 21, 2020, India
The Indian Government Directorate of Shipping has issued instructions for all major and minor ports for dealing with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It is important that the flow of goods by sea should not be needlessly disrupted without compromising the safety of life and protection of the environment.
In view of the same, it has been decided that for the continued operation of vessels and ports, the specific procedures must be followed by all stakeholders for all vessels until further orders.
For details of the instructions, and information about operations at Indian ports, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
COVID-19 response (20 March update)
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Panama Canal, Panama
Following the diagnosis of an employee with COVID-19 on March 19, the Panama Canal activated a response team to work with local health authorities to implement their recommended procedures, including identifying the employee activity and interaction with other people, to follow the appropriate quarantine procedures established by the Ministry of Health of Panama.
According to the Neutrality Treaty, the Panama Canal is required to remain safe and open to the peaceful transit by the vessels of all nations. The Panama Canal reiterates its commitment to continue providing safe and uninterrupted transit to the international maritime community during this difficult time and is following the recommendations of the Panamanian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization to safeguard the health of its employees and their customers’ personnel at all times.
The Panama Canal is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 outbreak and has adopted a series of measures to protect its personnel and prevent further spread of the virus, and continue providing a safe and uninterrupted service to its customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since January, ships arriving at the waterway have been required to report their last 10 ports of call and if they have visited countries with confirmed cases prior to their arrival. The following additional measures have also been taken:
Vessels required to report if and when crew changes occurred within 14 days of arrival at ports with COVID-19 cases to the Ministry of Health (MINSA).
Panama Canal admeasurers must contact vessels via radio before boarding to confirm all crewmembers onboard are healthy and to verify any recent crew changes.
Panama Canal personnel boarding the vessel are always equipped with alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel. The use of masks is optional.
The Panama Canal has rigorous processes to ensure that all personnel boarding vessels are healthy and have not been in contact with any positive or suspicions cases.
Constant communication is maintained between the Panama Canal and MINSA’s maritime health doctors.
MINSA has sent a communication to all shipping companies, requiring that they report any person who has any illness-related symptoms, regardless of whether or not they are related to COVID-19.
For information about operations in Panama, contact GAC Panama at operations.panama@gac.com
Maritime Declaration of Health (update 20 March)
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Singapore
This circular, which will come into effect from 20 March 2020, 2359hrs, 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 the following vessels:
All arriving vessels with crew/passengers with recent travel history to mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea and Spain within the past 14 days;
or
All arriving vessels that have called at ports in mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea and Spain within the past 14 days.
This declaration is part of the measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) into Singapore. It must be submitted to the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) 12 hours before arrival at Singapore Port…
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Extract from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.14 of 2020 dated 20 March 2020
Island-wide curfew
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is under an island-wide police curfew since 1800 hours yesterday (20 March) until 0600 hours on Monday 23 March. Only essential services are permitted to pass through.
Passengers traveling to the Katunayake airport can use the air ticket as a permit to travel during the curfew.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, contact GAC Sri Lanka at srilanka@gac.com
Husbandry services suspended
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Tutunciftlik & Aliaga, Turkey
All husbandry services have been suspended at the Tupras Terminals at Tutunciftlik and Aliaga until further notice, due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Restricted country list now numbers 68
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Turkey
Turkey has increased the number of countries it considers to be ‘restricted’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic to 68.
The list now contains:
Algeria
Austria
Bangladesh
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cameroon
Canada
China
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
England
Equatorial Guinea
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hungary
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Macedonia
Mauritania
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nepal
Netherlands
Niger
Norway
Oman
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Angola
Saudi Arabia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tchad
Tunisia
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
UAE
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
International flights suspended
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Pakistan
With effect from 20:00 hours local time tonight (Saturday, 21 March), the Government of Pakistan has suspended all international flights coming into Pakistan for two weeks amid the global coronavirus breakout. Cargo flights will be continue to operate as per schedule.
For further information about operations in Pakistan contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
Tankers also subject to 14-day quarantine
Saturday, March 21, 2020, Mumbai, India
With immediate effect, tanker vessels arriving Mumbai after touching infected ports must complete 14 days quarantine after leaving that port. Previously, this applied only to dry bulk vessels.
Stoppages of a vessel at any port of infected countries only for bunkering purposes shall not be counted for the calculation of 14 days from port of departure.
Vessels that have arrived at Indian port after 14 days of departure from an infected port need not comply with the additional requirements.
The written permission of the Deputy Conservator is required to berth the vessels at Mumbai Port.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
‘Stay at Home’ proclamation issued, maritime & port businesses excluded
Saturday, March 21, 2020, New Orleans, United States
The day-to-day operations of maritime and port businesses can continue as normal, despite the Mayor of New Orleans issuing a “stay at home” proclamation for Orleans Parish. This is because maritime and port businesses are considered essential.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
