Hot Port News from GAC
27-Jul-2020
SHORE PERSONNEL AND SHIP CREW VISITING OR WORKING ON VESSELS ALONGSIDE WHARVES, IN SHIPYARDS & AT ANCHORAGES
Singapore
BEST PRACTICES TO MINIMISE ONBOARD COVID-19 RISK
Singapore
NEW ANTI-PIRACY MEASURES
Benin
EID AL ADHA HOLIDAY
Sohar, Oman
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ANNOUNCED FOR EID
Pakistan
CURFEW AND LOCKDOWN UNTIL 8 AUGUST
Oman
NATIONAL LOCKDOWN EXTENDED
India
TIGHTENING OF TESTING & QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS
Hong Kong
CREW CHANGES HALTED
Oman
EID AL ADHA HOLIDAY EXTENDED
Oman
CREW CHANGE, QUARANTINE AND SHORE LEAVE
Norway
Shore personnel and ship crew visiting or working on vessels alongside wharves, in shipyards & at anchorages
Monday, July 27, 2020, Singapore
Singapore continues to take a calibrated and risk-based approach in determining the precautions and measures for the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 23 March 2020, 2359H, crew and passengers on short term visits have not been allowed to disembark in Singapore, unless given special prior approval from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
Measures and Requirements for Vessels
Before leaving the last port of call (before calling at the port of Singapore), the vessel’s master, owner, manager or agent should ensure that any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infected crew on board the vessel received proper medical treatment before leaving the port and starting its journey to Singapore.
All ships scheduled or intending to call at the Port of Singapore must immediately notify and seek approval to enter the Port of Singapore if there are suspected COVID-19 cases on board or if it had conducted crew change in the past 14 days before arrival in Singapore.
All vessels arriving in the Port of Singapore must submit the Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Port Health.
Vessels arriving in Singapore should adopt the following measures:
a. All crew members are to take and record their temperature twice daily.
b. All crew members are advised to maintain good hygiene in accommodation areas by cleaning frequently touched surfaces (e.g. desks, door handles, switches, telephones, etc.).
c. Master of the vessel should isolate unwell crew members and passengers.
d. The vessel’s master should follow NEA’s guidance for disinfecting common areas and rooms.
Precautionary Measures for Marine Services Providers
The following additional precautionary measures should be considered by marine services providers when conducting marine operations for vessels. These additional measures are drawn up based on consultations with Singapore’s Ministry of Health. Shore personnel or the vessel’s master and crew, as appropriate, should:
a. Carry out, and log, twice daily temperature checks.
b. Practise safe distancing (1 metre apart) and minimise contact with the vessel’s crew. Where it is not feasible or practical to apply safe distancing, there should be 1 metre between groups, where each group is not more than five persons, and no mixing between groups.
c. If the vessel changed any of its crew in the past 14 days, wear a mask and goggles/face shields (if required), and ensure no contact with the vessel’s crew.
d. Seek medical attention promptly if feeling unwell.
e. Observe good personal hygiene and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
f. Practice frequent hand washing with soap.
g. Avoid shaking hands and adopt other non-contact greeting methods.
h. Reduce ship-shore activities by reducing ship-shore exchanges, internal and external audits, non-essential maintenance and other non- essential activities.
i. Strengthen gangway or ladder control by implementing stricter ISPS procedures. This includes enhancing the stairway control, checking the credentials of all shore personnel boarding the vessel, and checking and logging their temperatures. Access should be denied to shore personnel displaying flu-like symptoms.
j. Maintain a log of movements of all persons for the purposes of contact tracing.
k. Minimise unnecessary interactions between the vessel’s crew and shore personnel. Unnecessary boarding visits should be prohibited (e.g. limit unnecessary entry of agents, tally, foremen, suppliers and other foreign personnel into the crew living area to reduce ship-shore exchanges). Conduct briefings and completion of paperwork through electronic means as far as possible.
l. Only essential vessel crew and shore personnel to be in the same work area if necessary, which has to be well ventilated at all times.
The above list of precautionary measures is not exhaustive, and companies/individuals may wish to take other reasonable precautionary measures.
Owners/managers/supervisors of marine services companies are to take note of all available health advisories and bring it to the attention of your company and employees. Companies wishing to implement additional preventive measures in line with their respective company policies should ensure these additional measures comply with prevailing standards/procedures applicable in the Port of Singapore.
(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.32 of 2020 dated 24 July 2020
Best practices to minimise onboard COVID-19 risk
Monday, July 27, 2020, Singapore
Following the resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the world, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) recommends owners, managers and agents to adopt additional precautionary measures when carrying out crew changes on Singapore-registered ships. This circular contains a non-exhaustive list of the best practices for conducting crew change. In addition to any foreign port’s crew change requirements, MPA strongly encourages all relevant parties to adopt these practices.
SIGNING-OFF CREW
a) The crew concerned should not have gone ashore in the last 14 days prior to disembarkation and has been well throughout this period.
b) The crew should be medically certified to be fit-for-travel by a medical doctor within 24 hours prior to disembarkation.
SIGNING-ON CREW
Isolation period
Due to the incubation period of the COVID-19, signing-on crew is recommended toobserve a 14-day isolation period with the following measures in place:
a) The crew should remain in his/her place of residence at all times during theisolation period.
b) The crew should not leave his/her place of residence at all times, even if it is topurchase food and essentials. If necessary, the crew may opt for home deliveryservices or enlist the assistance of others for his/her daily necessities.
c) The crew should avoid interaction with household members.
d) If sharing a house with others, the crew should stay isolated in his/her ownroom and with a dedicated toilet.
e) The crew should monitor his/her health closely, i.e. twice daily for fever (i.e. ≥38°C) and respiratory symptoms such as cough and breathlessness. The crew shall maintain a temperature log, which may be provided to relevant authoritiesupon completion of the 14-days isolation period.
f) Should there be any delays in departure flight, the crew should continue toserve his/her isolation until he/she departs his/her country.
Place of residence
a) The agent should be aware of the crew’s place of residence and the number of household members there are.
b) If there are other household members, the agent should ensure that the crew has a room with a toilet of his/her own for self-isolation.
c) If (b) is not achievable, the company should find an appropriate isolation facility for the crew during this period.
Periodical monitoring of crew serving isolation
a) The agent handling the crew sign-on is recommended to conduct daily randomsampling checks – ensuring that the crew is in isolation. A log of the checks should be maintained.
b) The crew should maintain a log of his/her daily temperature readings.
Transfer arrangement for medical purposes during isolation
a) The crew should be transferred directly between the place of residence and medical clinic. There shall be no detour or stopovers in the transfer.
b) Public transport should not be used for this transfer. Invoices or receipts for private hired vehicle(s) can be used to show that the crew concerned has not been exposed to the general public.
c) The crew should wear a face mask at all times and observe social distancing.
COVID-19 PCR test and Fit to Travel test
a) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) type test should be the default type of test for COVID-19.
b) Bio-samples for the PCR test should be drawn not more than 48 hours prior to the crew’s departure flight. Laboratory reports for the PCR test should indicate the sample drawn date and time.
c) The crew should be medically certified to be fit-for-travel by a medical doctor within 24 hours prior to departure flight.
Transfer arrangements for flight departure
a) The crew should be transferred directly between the place of residence and the point of departure. There shall be no detour or stopovers in the journey.
b) Public transport shall not be used for the transfer. Invoices or receipts for private hired vehicle(s) can be used to show that the crew concerned has not been exposed to the general public.
c) The crew should wear a face mask at all times and observe social distancing.
As a general practice, all crew should be reminded to practise good hygiene on board and monitor their health.
In the event that any crew on board is suspected to be carrying COVID-19, MPA and the competent authority of ship’s next port of call should be informed. If the ship is already in port, it should not depart from the port until the COVID-19 test results are available. This ensures that any suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infected crew gets proper medical attention.
(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 Shipping Circular No.14 of 2020 dated 24 July 2020
New anti-piracy measures
Monday, July 27, 2020, Benin
Below are the key points of the Benin Government circular raised and signed by four ministries, the following new measures and conditions are implemented to protect merchant vessels against piracy:
Article1: Obligation to all vessels calling Cotonou to have on board an armed security team (AST). Vessels that do not deploy an AST on board should compulsorily be protected by Benin navy forces when entering the country’s territorial waters. The cost is €534 per day for vessels under 100 meters LOA, and €687 per day for vessels over 100 meters LOA, applicable to all vessels awaiting berth readiness. €763 euros for vessels under 100 meters LOA and €946 per day for vessels over 100 meters LOA where the owners choose to remain at anchorage. All costs to vessel account at calling port.
Article 2: All vessels calling Cotonou and having an AST on board should send to port authorities through their agent authorisation to enter Benin waters with an armed security team. This authorisation must be sent 72 hours prior to vessel arrival.
Article 3: Authorisation to enter Benin with an AST is not an authorisation to stock arms and ammunitions in Benin. All vessels arriving with an AST should sail out the team and all the arms. Once alongside, all the arms and ammunitions should be inspected by Benin army forces and sealed. The seals should be removed once vessel is ready to sail out. The cost of the inspection is €306.
Article 4: Anchorage safety zones:
Point A: 06 deg. 16’N / 002 deg. 28’E
Point B: 06 deg. 11’N / 002 deg. 28’E
Point C: 06 deg. 11’N / 002 deg. 23’E
Point D: 06 deg. 16’N / 002 deg. 23’E
Movements into the above zone are coordinated by Cotonou signal station. Vessels without AST on board waiting at anchorage should proceed to above delimited zone under Cotonou signal station instructions and embark local national armed guards (LNAG).
(For information about operations in Benin, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: OMA Benin – GAC agent
Eid Al Adha holiday
Monday, July 27, 2020, Sohar, Oman
A holiday has been announced in Oman from Thursday 30 July 2020 to Monday 3 August 2020 to mark Eid Al Adha.
During the holiday, Sohar Industrial Port Company will continue operations under overtime. The Oil Tanking terminal will work 24/7.
Ministries, Public Authorities and other Government Departments will be closed during the holiday and delays can be expected in receiving official approvals.
Sohar Port Gate passes cannot be issued during holidays.
Based on previous experience, visas are not expected to be issued during local holidays.
GAC Sohar office will be closed during the holiday period, with a skeleton staff attending to urgent and important matters. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday 4 August.
For information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
Public holidays announced for Eid
Monday, July 27, 2020, Pakistan
The government of Pakistan has announced a three-day holiday for Eid. Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August will be public holidays.
For information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
Curfew and lockdown until 8 August
Monday, July 27, 2020, Oman
Oman has introduced a strict curfew between 7pm to 6am and complete lockdown from 25 July to 8 August.
For the latest national COVID-19 updates, go to https://covid19.moh.gov.om/#/home
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
National lockdown extended
Monday, July 27, 2020, India
The Government of India has further extended the national lockdown for containment areas until Friday, 31 July.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Tightening of testing & quarantine arrangements
Monday, July 27, 2020, Hong Kong
Stepped-up measures will be implemented by the Marine Department as a result of the increasing severity of the COVID-19 epidemic situation and the latest risk assessment of the public health at Hong Kong.
From 29 July 2020, visiting passenger ships and cargo ships calling at Hong Kong any purpose other than loading or discharging cargoes are all subject to 14 days compulsory quarantine at the location assigned by Director of Marine / Director of Health.
Such vessels shall not be permitted to carry out crew change at Hong Kong.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Hong Kong, contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com
Crew changes halted
Monday, July 27, 2020, Oman
Due to the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in Oman and a spike in daily confirmed cases, all crew changes have been halted and only emergency cases are being attended to.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
Eid Al Adha holiday extended
Monday, July 27, 2020, Oman
The Eid Al-Adha holiday in Oman has been extended until 6 August 2020. Normal work is expected to resume on 9 August 2020, after the holidays and local weekend.
For information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
Crew change, quarantine and shore leave
Monday, July 27, 2020, Norway
The quarantine period for individuals arriving in Norway from overseas, including crew, is ten days.
Crew must adhere to general Norwegian regulations as laid down in the guidelines by Norwegian Institute of Public Health and confirmed by The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) and Police (Immigration). Quarantine must also be completed for crew that has been onboard for ten days unless the vessel was in a “red” port.
The list of “Green” and “Red” countries as approved by Norwegian institute of public health can be found at https://www.fhi.no/en/news/2020/grenseapning-i-forbindelse-med-covid-19/.
The days will count from leaving this port or city. Various stricter local regulations enforced by the district medical officer.
Shore leave is generally permitted if the quarantine regulations (ten day rule) is complied with. Some industrial terminals might have stricter regulations, mostly for practical purposes, e.g. limited internal transport and access via gate.
Crew changes are permitted in Norway and basically the same regulations apply as before COVID-19. Crew still under quarantine may travel directly between ship and airport, and may use domestic transit flights. They can stay in a hotel close to the terminal or airport if they have to wait for their vessel or flight. There is no formal limit on the number of days they can stay), but as a rule immigration requires a confirmed flight (even if subject to change or cancellation).
Only crew that have been outside countries not exempt from the ten day rule will be denied shore leave until the ten days have passed.
CRUISE & PASSENGER VESSELS:
Passenger transport is limited and may vary from port to port, but cruise ships may be able to come alongside for provisions, water supply, garbage removal and crew changes. Passengers and crew can leave the ship under the present shore leave and quarantine regulations. Stricter local regulations might apply as enforced by the district medical officer and port authorities.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations, contact GAC Norway at norway@gac.com
