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Hot Port News from GAC

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Hot Port News from GAC

01-Oct-2020

TEMPORARY DECOMMISSIONING OF BERTHS
Mumbai, India

CARGO LOADING/OFF-LOADING & CREW CHANGES NOW POSSIBLE
South Africa

BORDERS OPEN TO TRAVEL FROM AFRICA
South Africa

AMENDED GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN CREW CHANGES
South Africa

Temporary decommissioning of berths
Thursday, October 1, 2020, Mumbai, India

The Second Chemical Berth (SCB) at Pirpau will be decommissioned for 12 hours during the daytime on 4 October. The NPP Berth will also be Decommissioned for the same period on 5 October.

Both berths will be unavailable for shipping movements during the above-mentioned decommissioned period.

For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com

Cargo loading/off-loading & crew changes now possible
Thursday, October 1, 2020, South Africa

From today (1 October), ships in South African ports will be allowed to dock load and off-load cargo without any restrictions arising out of the previous COVID-19 regulations. Crew changes are also possible again from cargo vessels in the ports, subject to the crew members undergoing a medical screening for COVID-19 symptoms.

Cruise ships continue to be barred from docking or discharging passengers.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com

Borders open to travel from Africa
Thursday, October 1, 2020, South Africa

South Africa is opening its international borders for travellers from the African continent from today (1 October) in a bid to facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services from South Africa, SADC and the rest of the continent.

Travellers from all African countries must possess relevant travel documents, and will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

Leisure travellers from 60 high-risk countries will not be allowed into the country. This list will be updated every fortnight, and currently includes the following countries:

Albania
Argentina
Armenia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Chile
Columbia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
France
Georgia
Greece
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Luxemburg
Maldives
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Nepal
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Oman
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
Suriname
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Emirates
United Kingdom
USA
Venezuela
The exception for travellers from high-risk countries will be business travellers with scarce and critical skills, including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors and people participating in professional sporting and cultural events, who will undergo the same health protocol screenings.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will extend the validity period of legally issued visas, which expired during the lockdown period, until 31 January 2021.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com

Amended guidelines for foreign crew changes
Thursday, October 1, 2020, South Africa

Foreign crew changes are now permitted at all of South Africa’s nine commercial ports.

Signing-on crew must produce a negative PCR test certificate or a valid certificate of COVID-19 negative results, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organisation requirements at the first South African port of entry. If a crew member fails to produce a valid PCR test certificate, this will warrant quarantine at their own cost.

Signing-off crews are not required to produce a valid PCR certificate if the vessel has not had crew changes or visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port. A crew member’s failure to adhere with the requirement above will warrant quarantine at their own cost.

Foreign crew may layover at a designated quarantine facility for a period not exceeding seven days, at their own cost, but must proceed directly to port of entry once this period has lapsed and must also comply with South African immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any South African sea port, except for the disembarkation of returning South African crew, citizens or holders of permanent residence permits.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.southafrica@gac.com

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