Hot Port News from GAC
25-Mar-2020
CORONAVIRUS: INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHIPS’ CREWS AT TERMINAL
Sullom Voe, United Kingdom
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS
Australia
DOMESTIC BORDER RESTRICTIONS
Australia
RESTRICTIONS ON CREW CHANGES SOFTENED
Western Australia, Australia
COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: 26 MARCH-16 APRIL
South Africa
CANAL TRANSIT FEES
Suez Canal, Egypt
COVID-19: ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS UPDATE
United Kingdom
ADDITIONAL COVID-19 MEASURES
Maputo & Matola, Mozambique
BORDERS CLOSED, NIGHT CURFEW IMPOSED
Ivory Coast
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONARY/PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Libya
PORT MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19
Amsterdam, Netherlands
NATIONAL RESPONSE
Namibia
PORTS DECLARE FORCE MAJEURE
India
RESTRICTIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR CALLING VESSELS
Guyana
SUSPENSION OF FLIGHTS
Pakistan
Coronavirus: Instructions for ships’ crews at terminal
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Sullom Voe, United Kingdom
Due to the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic:
Until further notice there will be no shore leave.
All normal crew changes should be avoided if possible. If there is a requirement then each individual case will be given due consideration; all requests should be placed through the ship’s agent.
Any routine medical or dental visits can be requested through the ships agent with range of symptoms given. The agent will then contact the relevant people to see if a visit is required and if it can be arranged.
Any urgent medical need that may arise due accident or sudden illness onset to crewmember while ship is in port, will be dealt with as always as an emergency, and the Terminal will respond immediately to this.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com)
Source: Sullom Voe Terminal Marine Department advice dated 24 March 2020
Travel restrictions for Australian citizens
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Australia
From 12:00 AEST today (25 March), the Australian Federal Government has introduced travel restrictions preventing Australian Citizens from travelling overseas.
This restriction will not apply to:
– Persons ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia;
– Airline and maritime crew and associated safety workers;
– Persons engaged in the day-to-day conduct of outbound and inbound freight;
– Persons whose travel is associated with essential work at offshore facilities;
and
– Persons travelling on official government business, including members of the Australian Defence Force.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Domestic border restrictions
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Australia
From midnight tonight (25 March), new arrivals into Queensland will be made to self-isolate for 14 days.
This follows the enforcement of the same rule from 13:30 yesterday (24 March) for all new arrivals into Western Australia. The West Australian State Government are also enforcing border controls at all air, road and sea access points. Exemptions will be made for healthcare workers and essential services.
South Australia also closed its borders from 16:00 yesterday, and requires all new arrivals to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival. Exemptions will be made to maintain health, the food supply chain and the State’s economic needs, as well as to allow freight to cross the border.
From 16:00 yesterday (24 March), all visitors to the Northern Territory have to self-isolate for 14 days. Potential exemptions exist for essential industries including health, emergency services, aviation and defence.
Since Friday 20 March, all new “Non-Essential” arrivals to Tasmania are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Essential services such as healthcare and people travelling for medical care are exempt.
At this stage there are no domestic border restrictions in place for New South Wales, Victoria or the Australian Capital Territory over and above the Federal Restrictions.
The Federal Governments position is clear that personnel engaged in the day to day conduct of outbound and inbound freight are considered essential and therefore exempt from the domestic border restrictions. State Governments are adopting the same position and therefore there are no restrictions for personnel involved in maritime trade or for ship’s crew crossing the state borders. However, they must carry adequate identification to prove their identity and need to travel for work purposes.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Restrictions on crew changes softened
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Western Australia, Australia
The Western Australian Government has softened its restrictions and fallen into line with the Federal position to facilitate changing of crew.
Effectively, crew changes can now be facilitated at Western Australian Ports provided any local terminal/Port Authority regulations allow them to do so.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Covid-19 lockdown: 26 March-16 April
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, South Africa
At 23:59 on Thursday 26 March 2020, South Africa will go on a nationwide lock-down with the exception of essential services. This is envisaged to last until 23:59 on Thursday 16 April 2020.
The following is the position of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) regarding the application to our terminals to ensure that critical business continuity services are supported in the best interests of South Africa:
In order to remain open to support the essential services, whilst still reducing exposure between our staff and others, TPT will operate on a reduced staff basis:
a. All Bulk Terminals (mineral mining commodities) will be closed with the exception of Agri Bulk products (grains, soya bean meal, fertiliser and woodchips) deemed an essential service and will operate on a single berth operation i.e East London, Richards Bay and Durban Agri.
b. The following Breakbulk Terminals (MPT’s) will operate on a single berth operation in order to handle essential breakbulk goods and containers: Cape Town MPT, Richards Bay MPT and Durban Point MPT.
c. East London MPT, Saldanha MPT, Port Elizabeth MPT and Maydon Wharf MPT will be closed.
d. All Automotive Terminals will be closed.
Essential services, as defined by the Government of South Africa, will be prioritised by TPT. As such:
a. TPT will continue to facilitate imports and exports of essential goods as allowed.
b. Essential goods will be prioritised over non-essential goods.
c. Each vessel will be required to provide a mandatory import evacuation plan prior to berthing, to maintain fluidity during this period. This plan must be honoured in order to avoid the severe consequence of the terminal being blocked out.
d. We require all clearance and assignment of containers prior to berthing. It will remain the responsibility of the shipping line to evacuate said containers to a suitable facility.TPT reserves the right not to berth a vessel should these requirements not be met.
e. TPT reserves the right to prioritise the berthing of vessels on a first planned, first served basis in all terminals. However, TPT also reserves the right in its sole discretion, to change the order of berthing in order to prioritise the handling of essential goods.
f. The acceptance of export intents on rail will only be allowed if they can be physically exported through the applicable terminal for essential goods.
g. Reefer containers will continue to be prioritised over non-essential exports.
The above application will apply from 22h00 on 26 March 2020 until 06h00 on 17 April 2020.
We reserve the right to immediately change the application of the above rulings as the need permits.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com)
Source: Transnet letter dated 24 March 2020
Canal transit fees
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Suez Canal, Egypt
Normal transit fees shall remain unchanged for the year 2020 than that in 2019, except for the following two vessel types:
Dry Bulk Vessels
A 5% increase of the normal transit dues for the year 2020 than that of 2019.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carriers
A 5% increase of the normal transit dues for the year 2020 than that of 2019.
The transit dues schedule shall be segregated according to the vessel types.
This circular shall be effective from 1 April 2020.
(For information about operations in the Suez Canal, contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com)
Source: Suez Canal Authority Circular (2/2020)
COVID-19: Associated British Ports update
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, United Kingdom
The Coronavirus pandemic is creating unprecedented disruption to our society. Throughout this crisis the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, customers and their families remains our highest priority. ABP is committed to minimising disruption to our customers’ supply chains and preserving continuity of operational service across our ports; where we encounter any disruption, we are working closely with you to manage the impact.
Many companies are concerned and facing difficulties, and we are no different in ABP. We are in this crisis together, and we want to let you know that ABP will do our utmost to support your business with the least amount of interruption during these challenging times.
We are working closely with the UK Government to facilitate COVID-19 management and recovery plans. A number of financial support facilities have been announced by the UK Government. Further information on how to access this support can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses.
We have previously outlined key actions in response to COVID-19 and summarise these again below:
Personnel providing critical roles (e.g. Pilots, Lock Controllers) have been isolated and teams split to ensure continuity of services
Social distancing measures for anyone at our Port locations are being enforced and all non-essential staff are working from home
Working with UK Government to facilitate COVID-19 management and recovery plans
Closely monitoring and distributing the latest public health guidance
Working closely with customers to support their continued operations
Business continuity plans are activated
We do this whilst continuing to liaise with all relevant health authorities to ensure our operations observe the most recent guidelines; protecting our colleagues and customers. We would ask customers to likewise respect the medical advice and adopt social distancing measures across the ports where possible.
As the UK’s leading port operator with a critical strategic role in supporting the nation’s supply chains, we will continue to provide updates on this dynamic situation in accordance with government advice..
(For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com)
Source: Port operator Associated British Ports’ Coronavirus (COVID-19) update No.3 dated 24 March 2020
Additional COVID-19 measures
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Maputo & Matola, Mozambique
The following additional measures will be effective immediately:
1.1. It is important that all vessel Masters make accurate declarations of health and wellbeing of the crew, and if in doubt, consult with a medical practitioner to be arranged by the vessel agent. Masters unable to communicate in English stand the risk of not receiving services until a translator is arranged by the vessel agent. Any false declaration will be viewed in a serious light and reported to the MPDC Port Authority and Mozambican Health and Sanitary Officials for further action.
1.2. Masters of all vessels are required to display the “Q” Flag if all onboard are healthy and Free Pratique has not been granted by Port Health – means the master declares that all crew & personnel onboard are healthy and he/she requests Free Pratique.
1.3. The Q Flag is to remain raised on the main mast until the vessel has been cleared by Port Health and Free Pratique has been granted.
1.4. Duty Pilots are to make use of issued personal protective equipment (PPE), protective facial masks, gloves and long sleeve shirt when boarding any vessel to protect themselves, even if the master has declared all onboard are healthy. The disposable PPE is to remove after every vessel and placed in a sealed plastic bag. The Pilot transport vehicle and the pilot boat will be provided with designated hazardous waste containers.
1.5. All waste removal from Off Port Limit vessels and vessels at anchorages are to cease immediately until advised otherwise. Collection of Grey Waters, Sludge, etc., are included in the restriction
1.6. Galley waste will no longer be accepted at any ports and are to be incinerated on board the vessel.
1.7. No waste including galley waste will be disposed off in Maputo and Matola Ports and in all Port Marine Jurisdiction Area.
1.8. Off Port limit activities involve private operators, who are more commercially inclined with limited control by the authorities – this creates a risk to the country. It is therefore essential for all Off Port Limit activities involving foreign vessels and crews to be suspended until further notice.
Considering the cancelation of flights from other countries to Mozambique, with transit time under 14 days and the transit through other airports, it is not practical to quarantine all people arriving into Maputo and Matola Ports. It is therefore essential to restrict and suspend any specialists visiting from foreign countries until further notice.
1.9. Permission from Port Health and the Harbour Master’s Office is required prior to any interaction with vessels (i.e. vessels with any person having any illness). This also applies to bunker barges/ships and small vessels.
1.10. Shore leave for Crews which vessels are alongside of any quay of Maputo and Matola Ports are not allowed. Visitors to vessels restricted to essential personnel only. Cancelled the emission of Shore Passes to Crew Members.
1.11. Limited interaction between bunker operator and vessels permitted. Crew to ensure gloves are provided and used when handling mooring lines & all preventative precautions are upheld – no crew changes permitted for bunker barges or vessel taking fuel from foreign countries.
1.12. No Crew changes will be permitted for any Off-Port Limit calls including vessels at anchorage.
1.13. Vessel´s passengers and crew transfers will not be permitted in Maputo and Matola Ports and in all Port Maputo Marine Jurisdiction Area.
1.14. All Sea Cruises undertaken by Cruise Liner Vessels into and out of MPDC Port Marine Jurisdiction Area are terminated until further notice.
1.15. Applications for In and Off Port Limits for services to be render to vessels and on board vessels will be thoroughly assessed before Permission is Granted by the Harbour Master.
1.16. The above will not be applied to MEDVACS for medical emergencies, provided that all necessary MPDC Port Protocol and Port Sanitary and Health Authorities are adhered to.
1.17. All Vessels that have undertaken and international voyage, must apply for “Free Pratique” to Port Sanitary and Health Authorities, 24 to 48 hours prior to arriving the Limits of Port Maputo Marine Jurisdiction Area. Port Sanitary and Health Authorities and MPDC Port Authority/Harbour Master´s Office, must be kept updated on any changes to the health status on board the vessel, whilst in Anchorage or while alongside the berth.
1.18. Vessel access to indeterminate number of Ship Chandling Staff boarding the vessels to carry out their activities will not be permitted. Ship Chandlers requested to attend vessels to deliver their services, will only be authorized to have maximum two representative Staff members.
1.19. It´s not permitted the indiscriminate number of visits of Ship Chandling Agencies to deliver their services on board the vessels. Vessel Agencies, Ship Chandlers and Masters are request to coordinate in order to grant the necessary assistance with the minimum number of onboard calls.
1.20. It is not permitted to render any type of souvenirs such as cigarettes, cigars, soft drinks, food, spirits or whatsoever to Duty Pilots, Agency Staff, and Authorities and so on.
(For information about operations in Mozambique, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Maputo Harbour Master notice dated 23 March 2020
Borders closed, night curfew imposed
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Ivory Coast
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of the Ivory Coast has closed the country’s ports, airports and borders to passengers (only medivac, evacuation flight and cargo freight allowed). It has also introduced a night-time curfew between the hours of 2100 and 0500.
For information about operations in the Ivory Coast, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com
COVID-19 precautionary/preventive measures
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Libya
General precautionary and preventive measures for all Libyan ports:
It is banned to embark ships arriving at any Libyan port or oil platforms to avoid any direct contact with their crews. This ban applies to: (pilot, representative of passports authority, customs representative, shipping agent, marine authority representative, shipment inspector, and the like).
Crews of foreign ships, ships, tugboats are banned to disembark at any Libyan port unless in urgent cases which are those cases approved by the director of health control office at the relevant port.
The shipping agent should submit the following documents with the arrival notice:
a- List of last ten (10) ports that were entered (last ten (10) ports of call), including date of entry and exist for each port,
b- List of crew members with their embarking dates. Those who embarked during the last two weeks from the date of arrival should also be listed;
c- Declaration by the shipmaster that the ships is free from the symptoms or suspected symptoms of coronavirus.
Administrative and technical procedures / formalities for each of the parties mentioned in Point (1) above over the radio and/or electronically.
Berthing procedure will start once the health representative has verified the declaration made by the shipmaster as stated in subparagraph (2c) above. In case the health representative is not available the ship shall be granted the permission if the pilot agrees to permit it to enter using radio piloting onboard the assistant tugboat or radio piloting from the traffic control tower.
Berthing operation will be done using at least (2) tugboats for safety.
Remote pilotage will be carried out using radio and/or electronic telecommunications taking into consideration safety and security requirements.
In case health control office exists at that port, their representative will be allowed onboard to ensure that the ship is free from any suspected case of coronavirus. He will not be allowed to embark unless he wears personal protective equipment including disposable overall, gloves, goggles, N95 mask, head cover, shoes cover, antiseptics). In all cases, health representative should embark the ship before the pilots do.
In case, it is not possible for the health representative to get onboard the ship at the outer anchorage area, the ship will be permitted to enter commercial and industrial ports using radio pilotage onboard the assistant tugboat or from the control tower. The health representative will then get onboard the ship at the internal port dock.
In case the shipmaster refuses to enter without the presence of a pilot or in case the pilot refuses to enter the ship using radio pilotage, the pilot will be allowed to embark the ship provided that he wears personal protective equipment including disposable overall, gloves, goggles, N95 mask, head cover, shoes cover, antiseptics. He should follow the preventive and disinfection measures immediately once he has disembarked.
In case the shipmaster refuses to enter the ship without pilot or if the pilot refuses to enter the ship using radio pilotage onboard the tugboat and PPE equipment are not available, the ship will not be allowed to enter unless after fourteen (14) days from its date of arrival.
It is banned to unload any solid or liquid wastes from the ship in the Libyan ports.
All shipping agents, operators of oil harbors of the National Oil Operations, the Libyan Ports Company, Misurata Free Zone, Towage, Salvage and Marine Services Company, General National Maritime Transport Company, shipowner companies should:
a- Provide Personal Protective Equipment PPE, including disposable overall, gloves, goggles, N95 mask, head cover, shoes cover and antiseptics approved by the National Center for Disease Control CDC,
b- Issue awareness circulations and guidelines for their staff members and follow up with international circulars on Coronavirus COVID-19.
Shipmaster should, once the daily working hours are over, roll back the ship ladder and not to lift the ladder and not to roll it down until the next day when the handling operations start and upon an instruction by the relevant authority. In case he violates this instruction, he will be subjected to judicial actions…
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Libya, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Extract from Libyan Marine Authority Coronavirus COVID-19 Precautionary and Preventive Measures 2 dated 22 March 2020
Port measures against COVID-19
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Until further notice, Amsterdam port is closed to all sea and river cruise ships, and all events are cancelled until 1 July 2020.
Daily consultations are being conducted with terminals in the port area about the impact of COVID-19 measures and the current state of affairs.
The Port of Amsterdam requests all ships entering the port to submit a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDoH), regardless of the situation on board. This must be sent at least 6 hours prior to arrival at the Pilot Station and must have been signed in the last 24 hours. In case of deviations from the Maritime Health Declaration, Port of Amsterdam will contact the Municipal Health Service.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Netherlands, contact GAC Netherlands at agency.netherlands@gac.com
National response
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Namibia
The Namibian Government has decided to further strengthen the national response to COVID-19.
The following ports entry are closed for passengers: Oshikango, Katwitwi, Wenela, Buitepos, Ariamsvlei, Noordoewer, Luderitz and Walvis Bay.
The travel ban is extended to all countries around the World for a period of thirty (30) days and applies to all Namibians and permanent residents.
Special circumstances for the admission of certain persons into Namibia will be considered and approved by the relevant institutions, depending on the nature of travel to be undertaken, and the criticality of such mission to the national interest and safety and security of the country.
All returning Namibians and Permanent residents and Permanent residents arriving from high-risk countries are subjected to mandatory supervised quarantine for 14 days, at their own cost.
Special dispensation applies to business, commerce and trade missions and activities only from neighbouring countries, on a reciprocal basis, to facilitate the flow of supplies, goods, commodities and services into Namibia.
Admission of persons into Namibia from neighbouring countries for reasons contemplated above, will be considered taking into account the criticality of such mission to the national interest and safety and security of the country.
All Government employees as well as those in the state-owned enterprises and the private sector are to operate from home for the next 14 days, except those providing critical services.
The Public is urged to remain at home and avoid public gatherings at places such as bars, Shebeens, nightclubs and markets. The law enforcement organs to enforce these measures.
Internal travel restrictions will apply with respect to Khomas and Erongo region, for a period of 21 days starting on Friday 27 March and ending on Thursday 16 April.
Parliament is suspended for 21 days starting Wednesday, the 25th March 2020 to Thursday, the 14 April 2020.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Namibia, contact GAC Namibia at namibia@gac.com
Ports declare Force Majeure
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, India
The following Indian ports have all declared ‘Force Majeure’ to ensure that unforeseen delays in the delivery of cargoes and other port-related services do not affect their commercial contracts with port users:
EAST COAST PORTS:
Dhamra, Karaikal, Gopalpur, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam.
WEST COAST PORTS:
Adani-Mundra, Hazira, Angre, all 44 ports under Gujarat Maritime Board.
So far, 12 major Government ports in India have not invoked Force Majeure though the Ministry of Shipping has already given them what is required to do so if needed. These ports are continuing to work with limited available resources at present.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Restrictions & requirements for calling vessels
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Guyana
Guyana has closed its airports for incoming international passenger flights and its ports are closed to all vessels except international merchant ships.
For ships calling at Guyana’s ports, all documents must be submitted electronically. No shore leave or crew changes may be carried out.
All crew onboard must complete individual health declarations to be submitted to the Port Health Officer, along with the Master’s Maritime Declaration of Health, for review and approval before the authorities can board.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Guyana, contact GAC Guyana at guyana@gac.com
Suspension of flights
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan has decided to suspend all types of domestic scheduled/non-scheduled, chartered and private aircraft passenger flight operations from tomorrow (Thursday, 26 March) until 2 April.
Due to the suspension of flights, crew changes are halted.
Port operations and customs services are exempt from the lockdown as they are deemed ‘Essential Services’. All ports’ and terminals’ operations are running without interruption and working with most critical staff as per their prescribed COVID-19 response plans. However, delays in operations may be expected.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
