Hot Port News from GAC
04-Apr-2020
WORLD HOLIDAYS: 5-18 APRIL 2020
Worldwide
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE RISK OF COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID-19
Georgia
CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) MEASURES: PASSENGERS, DISINFECTION, INSPECTIONS
Turkey
TEMPERATURE SCREENING LAUNCHED
Alabama ports, United States
CURFEW IMPOSED, MARITIME & TRANSPORTATION WORKERS EXEMPT
Mobile, United States
NATIONWIDE SHUTDOWN
Bahamas
COVID-19 MEASURES
Abidjan, Ivory Coast
World Holidays: 5-18 April 2020
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Worldwide
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the following:
Thu 9 April – Araw ng Kagitingan (Philippines)
Thu 9 April – Maundy Thursday
Fri 10 April – Good Friday
Sun 12 April – Easter Day
Mon 13 April – Easter Monday
Mon 13 April – Sinhala & Tamil New Year (Sri Lanka)
Wed 15 April – South Korea National General Election Day
Fri 17 April – Greek Good Friday
For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found at www.gac.com
Precautionary measures to minimise risk of community spread of COVID-19
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Georgia
The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia has implemented measures to avoid the risk of community spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Government has also put up health advisories at sea checkpoints to inform travelers and ship crew on precautions to take when traveling, as well as to remain vigilant and adopt good hygiene practices.
The Georgian President has declared a nationwide state of emergency effective until 21 April, and the Government has launched a dedicated web page (in Georgian and English) at https://stopcov.gov.ge
As part of the measures, restrictions have been imposed on the entry of foreign nationals, which apply to all foreign nationals except (dedicated on a case-by-case basis):
Representative of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited to Georgia and their family members
Mixed families where of the spouses of under-age child is a citizen of Georgia
Persons arriving in Georgia as part of a humanitarian mission if a trip for such missions (doctors, volunteers, etc) to Georgia becomes necessary
Individuals who have been granted the status of stateless person by the respective Georgian authorities
Individuals holding status-neutral travel documents
Individuals having refugee status in Georgia
All cruise vessel calls to Georgian ports have been halted.
Ships calling at Georgian ports shall, at least 24 hours before arrival, submit Maritime Health Declaration with annexes.
If as ship, her crew or passengers entered countries consider High Risk within the last 21 days they will be subject to thermal screening.
The ship Master is also responsible for observing the further health of crew and passengers while alongside, at anchorage points or waiting areas and must communicate any suspicious cases to the Harbour Master and appropriate authorities without undue delay.
If submitted documents or screening show the existence of COVID-19 on board, all possible contacts will be restricted with the subject vessel.
Pilots must use personal safety equipment when going onboard, including mask, single use gloves and safety glasses. All crew are requested to put on masks and PPE to prevent the spread of virus before meeting pilots embarking on the weather dock. The Bridge team must also wear masks during pilotage.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Georgia, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: LAM Shipping Agencies Georgia LLC – GAC agent
Corona virus (Covid-19) measures: passengers, disinfection, inspections
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Turkey
It is vital to continue the cargo, container and trailer transportation by sea within the scope of the fight against the epidemic in our country, and the desire to transport passengers on these voyages puts sea transportation at risk, in cases where passengers are required to be on board in an emergency, the first notification should be made to our General Directorate in order to coordinate with the relevant Ministries (Ministry of Health, Foreign Affairs and Interior), measures should be taken to prevent the ships from leaving the international ports without obtaining approval from the relevant institutions by our General Directorate, criminal action is taken against agents who make transactions contrary to this, within the scope of article 14 of the Ship Agents Regulation and related legislation.
It should be continued to ensure disinfection of the wheel house by the ships, which come to the coastal facilities of our country and are subject to pilotage, through its agents before the maritime pilot is on board, decision to disinfect other areas required in the living space of ships by the firms authorized for this work through its agents is at the discretion of the General Directorate of Turkey Border and Coastal Health.
The pre-survey inspection intervals for Turkish Flagged ships in our Port Authorities should be set as 6 (six) months for ships in which Land Designated Person has received awareness training from our Ministry and 3 (three) months for other ships.
Port State Audit practices implemented to foreign flagged ships should be suspended,
These audit practices should be implemented as specified by Thursday, April 30, 2020.
(For information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com)
Source: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure General Directorate of Shipping Notice No:80368960-020-E.22643 dated 3 April 2020
Temperature screening launched
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Alabama ports, United States
Thermometers are trickling in, and we have received enough to launch 24-7 temperature screening for individuals entering the Pinto Terminal at the date/time noted below.
ASPA Port Police and contract security personnel have been trained and will administer the temperatures using non-touch forehead thermometer devices.
ANY INDIVIDUAL REGISTERING A TEMPERATURE OF 100.4° WILL BE DENIED ENTRY AND HAVE THEIR ASPA BADGES CONFISCATED.
PINTO TERMINAL
– April 3, 2020 at 1500 Hours (3:00 pm CDT)
The following facilities will be rolled out when thermometers currently on order arrive:
TERMINAL RAILWAY (TASD)
– awaiting equipment
MARINE LIQUID BULK TERMINAL
– awaiting equipment
MOBILE MIDDLE BAY PORT
– awaiting equipment
BLAKELEY TERMINAL
– awaiting equipment
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Alabama State Port Authority Notice to Port Users dated 3 April 2020
Curfew imposed, maritime & transportation workers exempt
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Mobile, United States
The City of Mobile has imposed a curfew, and it is anticipated other jurisdictions will follow suit…
…Port Police Chief Jimmie Flanagan has been engaged with area law enforcement to make them aware that maritime and transportation workers are considered essential to critical infrastructure…
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Extract from Alabama State Port Authority Notice to Port Users dated 3 April 2020
Nationwide shutdown
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Bahamas
Due to the recent increase in COVID 19 cases in the Bahamas, our Prime Minister has just announced a complete shutdown for the entire country from 20:00 hours local time yesterday (3 April) until 05:00 hours on Monday 6 April.
In light of this, Buckeye Bahamas Hub Ltd. has suspended operations until Monday morning.
Freeport Harbour Company (FHC) also suspended all operations and will resume operations at 05:00 on 6 April.
(For information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Elnet Maritime Agency, Bahamas – GAC agent
COVID-19 measures
Saturday, April 4, 2020, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Abidjan Port Authority decides on the following:
Any vessel carrying out international voyages, staying at the port from Abidjan, must be fitted with an infrared thermometer when out;
This thermometer must be used by staff responsible for it and trained to take related temperatures with Coronavirus (COVID-19);
The results of this operation will be made available to the Control Maritime sanitation of the National Institute of Public Hygiene at the port from Abidjan;
Access to the ship by any port user who refuses to comply with this operation will be refused.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the issuance of shore pass to seafarers wishing to leave a stopping ship at the Port of Abidjan is suspended until further notice order.
However, any medical landing is subject to the authorisation of the Service Immigration Office of the Port Special Police Station, after a favourable opinion from the National Institute of Public Hygiene (cell of the port).
(For information about operations in the Ivory Coast, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Autonomous Port of Abidjan Note to Maritime Consignators of Abidjan
