Hot Port News from GAC
18-Jun-2020
MARINE WORKS INSIDE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER
Hong Kong
MARINE WORKS EAST OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Hong Kong
AMENDMENT TO TRAVEL/TRADE ADVISORY FOR COVID-19
Port Bin Qasim, Pakistan
TWO-WEEK ‘SMART LOCKDOWN’
Karachi, Pakistan
UPDATED REQUIREMENTS FOR CARGO SHIP CREW CHANGES
Singapore
EXTENSION OF CERTIFICATES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
South Africa
Marine works inside Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 6 months, marine works involving material filling and leveling are being carried out in the following works areas:
WORKS AREA 1
This area is bounded by straight line joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) (A) to (B) with the adjacent breakwaters:
(A) 22 deg. 17.135’N / 114 deg. 10.945’E
(B) 22 deg. 17.099’N / 114 deg. 10.999’E
WORKS AREA 2
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) (C) to (D), (E) to (J) with the adjacent shoreline and the breakwater respectively:
(C) 22 deg. 17.221’N / 114 deg. 11.248’E
(D) 22 deg. 17.257’N / 114 deg. 11.278’E
(E) 22 deg. 17.231’N / 114 deg. 11.319’E
(F) 22 deg. 17.069’N / 114 deg. 11.169’E
(G) 22 deg. 17.079’N / 114 deg. 11.162’E
(H) 22 deg. 17.113’N / 114 deg. 11.050’E
(I) 22 deg. 17.108’N / 114 deg. 11.029’E
(J) 22 deg. 17.140’N / 114 deg. 10.983’E
The works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including five derrick barges, two hopper barges, four tugboats and two work boats. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 15 metres around each barge will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the barges.
Silt curtains fitted with yellow flashing lights will be established within the works areas. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 2300 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works areas outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.81/2020
Marine works east of Hong Kong International Airport
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 3 months, marine works involving seawall construction and hydrographic survey are being carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (I) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 19.230’N / 113 deg. 57.566’E
(B) 22 deg. 19.337’N / 113 deg. 57.527’E
(C) 22 deg. 19.425’N / 113 deg. 57.526’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.509’N / 113 deg. 57.617’E
(E) 22 deg. 19.509’N / 113 deg. 57.748’E
(F) 22 deg. 19.442’N / 113 deg. 57.820’E
(G) 22 deg. 19.124’N / 113 deg. 57.820’E
(H) 22 deg. 18.732’N / 113 deg. 57.696’E
(I) 22 deg. 18.755’N / 113 deg. 57.598’E
The works are being carried out by one derrick lighter and one work boat. One tugboat provides assistance.
Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights are laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending about 40 metres from the derrick lighter.
Silt curtains fitted with yellow flashing lights are established within the works area. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments.
The hours of work are from 0800 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works do not stay in the works area outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong, contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.84/2020
Amendment to Travel/Trade Advisory for COVID-19
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Port Bin Qasim, Pakistan
No vessel is allowed to berth at Port Bin Qasim Seaport without completion of the period of 15 days from the date of sign-on of the seafarer or submission of PCR (COVID-19) test report.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com)
Source: Amendment to Government of Pakistan Port Health Establishment, Port Bin Qasim Circular (of 15 June 2020) dated 17 June 2020
Two-week ‘smart lockdown’
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Karachi, Pakistan
The Commissioner of Karachi City has announced a strict ‘Smart Lockdown’ for two weeks, from 7pm today (18 June) until 2 July, for various union councils of all six districts of Karachi.
Movement of people & mobility will be strictly restricted. Only one person of household will be allowed outside to buy essential items. Public transport will not be allowed in these areas. Shops selling essential items will remain open in the areas and supply of edible items and medicines will be allowed. All kinds of industrial units in these areas will remain closed.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at Pakistan@gac.com
Updated requirements for cargo ship crew changes
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Singapore
As Singapore moves into Phase Two of re-opening, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has updated our crew change requirements. This takes into consideration feedback from our industry players and unions. Despite the COVID19 pandemic, MPA has been facilitating crew change under special circumstances, as well as facilitating medical treatment of seafarers who require emergency attention.
MPA has revised the requirements for crew change as follows:
a) Designated holding facility
MPA understands the need to cater to some crew members who are not able to transfer directly to their vessel or flight. MPA will approve such crew change under special circumstances, should they meet the criteria stipulated in PMC 26 of 2020, and subject to a booking in a designated holding facility. This will apply to applications made from 19 June onwards. For crew sign-ons, the designated holding facilities will be able to take crew from 2 July 2020 as he/she is required to have been in quarantine for at least 14 days prior to departing his/her home country. The stay at the designated holding facility is for up to 48 hours.
The two designated holding facilities are proposals from the industry and unions which MPA has accepted. The designated holding facility will have to comply with a list of conditions stipulated by MPA for it to receive bookings… …Depending on demand, MPA may impose a quota and/or a prioritisation framework.
b) Ship departure upon crew sign-off
Ships, after signing off its crew and obtaining port clearance, need not remain in port until the sign-off crew have departed Singapore. Ship managers/agents shall be responsible for ensuring that the crew change is effected according to MPA’s requirements.
c) Tele-medicine consultation for issuance of fit-to-travel certificate
Ship owners/managers/agents can now use tele-medicine (i.e. real time video consultation) to obtain a fit-to-travel assessment and certification for crew signing off in Singapore. MPA will accept fit-to-travel certificates issued by Singapore Medical Council (SMC)-fully registered doctors meeting requirements…
d) Meet-and-greet service at Changi Airport
With effect from 26 June 2020, ship managers/agents must arrange meet-and-greet services for sign-on crew arriving at Changi Airport, to escort the crew from the moment they disembark the plane to the point where they are handed over to the agent for the direct transfer to the ship or designated holding facility. The list of meet-and-greet service providers include Certis, SATS and dnata.
Ship owners/managers/agents should apply for crew change in Singapore by filling up the online form at www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/port-ofsingapore/operations/crew-change. As MPA expects a high volume of applications, we urge ship owners/managers/agent to submit applications at least 14 days before the planned crew change, especially if the application includes sign-on crew. For foreign-flagged ships, crew change will be considered if the ship meets all prevailing requirements, and are in Singapore for cargo operations, bunkering and/or other marine services.
MPA will continue to work closely with the industry and unions to review the crew change procedures to ensure a “safe corridor” for crew change which minimises public health risk to both the local and shipping community.
Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this circular take effect immediately. This circular supplements PMC No. 26 of 2020, and therefore, unless revised by this PMC, the requirements for crew change in PMC No.26 of 2020 continue to apply.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.27 of 2020 dated 18 June 2020
Extension of certificates during COVID-19 pandemic
Thursday, June 18, 2020, South Africa
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has granted an extension until 31 December 2020 for to any Certificates of Competency (COC) and/or Certificates of Proficiency (COP) that may expire during the national lockdown and/or shortly thereafter.
According to the SAMSA Marine Notice No.33 of 2020 dated 15 June 2020, applications for extension shall be made electronically, with documents that have exceeded their validity date acceptable provided they were valid on/before 15 December 2019.
South African registered ships with seafarers holding foreign COCs shall take the direction regarding seafarers Certification from that Administration and communicate to the Principal Officer where the ship is registered regarding any challenges they may encounter regarding validity of the seafarer’s certificates.
Employers with seafarers onboard their ships whose certificates are due to expire whilst on an extended tour of duty due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and South African registered ships who have seafarers holding certificates that will be expiring soon and are affected, shall follow the following process.
Seafarers and employers who seek documentary proof of the extension of seafarer certification shall:
– apply through electronic means by following the instructions at http://www.samsa.org.za/Pages/Application-for-the-extension-of-Certificate.aspx
– in the event of difficulty, contact the nearest SAMSA office via e-mail as found on SAMSA’s website http://www.samsa.org.za/Pages/Contact-Us.aspx. Please include both a copy of the CoC/CoP and the above mentioned form.
Seafarers working onboard ships operating in South African ports do not need to have individual extensions but must keep a copy of SAMSA Marine Notice No.33 of 2020 to show that they are operating under this extension – provided they are permitted to operate under the Disaster Management Act, 2002, as amended.
Accreditation certificates issued to Training Institutions by SAMSA expiring during lockdown or the period immediately thereafter are extended as follows:
– All accreditations are extended until 30 September 2020
– The extension applies to all accreditations that are/were due to expire on or after 1 February 2020
Approval certificates issued to Medical Practitioners by SAMSA expiring during lockdown or the period immediately thereafter are extended as follows:
– All approvals are extended until 30 September 2020
– The extension applies to all approvals which expired on or after 1 February 2020
Seafarers who have not applied for a Certificate of Proficiency (or Competency) after completing SAMSA Accredited Training – and as such need an extension of an expiring course completion certificate – may apply for an extension to the issuing Institution. Accredited Institutions are required to issue an extension, by letter referencing the certificate number, or by amendment or re-issue of the course completion certificate. Extensions shall be valid until 30 September 2020.
Each institution shall, before granting any such extension ensure that:
– They only issue an extension for certificates which they have issued.
– Keep records of any such extension granted.
– Where no process exists, the institution shall create a means to extend certificates.
All medical certificates issued by SAMSA approved medical practitioners are extended until 30 September 2020. All SAMSA issued Eyesight Certificates (including those for Pilot Exemptions) are extended until 31 December 2020. This applies to all certificates which expired on or after 1 February 2020.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.co
