Hot Port News from GAC
10-May-2021
REVISION OF NUMBER OF PERSONS ONBOARD PLEASURE CRAFT
Singapore
NO RESTRICTIONS FOR VESSELS ARRIVING FROM PAKISTAN & INDIA
Saudi Arabia
QUARANTINE AND TESTING OF OFF-SIGNERS
Philippines
SIGN-OFF OF SEAFARERS DURING SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19
India
PANAMA-FLAGGED VESSELS REMOVED FROM PREFERENTIAL TARIFF DUES LIST
China
CREW CHANGE QUARANTINE REQUIREMENT FOR VESSELS ARRIVING FROM INDIA
Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates
TEMPORARY PAUSE ON ENTRY FOR TRAVELERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN INDIA
Australia
HEIGHTENED MANDATORY PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR SHIP REPAIR CALLS OR CONTACT OPS IN SHIPYARD/PROCESS TERMINALS/MARINE & PROCESS WATERFRONT FACILITIES
Singapore
COVID-19 SECOND WAVE: INVOCATION OF FORCE MAJEURE
Karaikal, India
Revision of number of persons onboard pleasure craft
Monday, May 10, 2021, Singapore
This Port Marine Circular updates the number of persons allowed onboard pleasure craft from 8 May to 30 May 2021.
All pleasure craft operators, owners and masters are reminded to ensure that they comply with the measures stipulated in the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, and implement these measures in relation to persons boarding and on the craft.
These measures include implementing contact tracing procedures such as TraceTogether-only SafeEntry (TT-only SE) for all persons who board the pleasure craft. If TT-only SE is not implemented, the craft owner/operator/master must maintain a record of the passenger and crew manifest. Persons onboard should be encouraged to install and use the TraceTogether application or token. In addition, temperature screening and checks on visible respiratory symptoms must be conducted before any person boards the craft. Persons with a fever or who display any visible respiratory symptoms must not be allowed to board the craft and should be advised to seek medical attention immediately. Every individual must wear a mask at all times except in circumstances prescribed in the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 20204.
Gatherings of more than 5 persons onboard any pleasure craft are prohibited. However, exemptions can be granted with prior approval for the following craft and activity:
a) SZH-licensed pleasure craft activities; and
b) Marriage solemnisation onboard SZ-licensed pleasure craft…
…Owners/operators of SZH-licensed pleasure craft that intend to carry more than 5 passengers for the conduct of ANY activities are required to submit a one-time application for MPA’s review and approval… …The proposals shall be submitted at least 14 days prior to the commencement of the first trip with carriage of more than 5 passengers. The submission can be made to the Marine Safety and Environment Department via email: pms@mpa.gov.sg.
Owners/operators of SZH-licensed pleasure craft are reminded that self-service buffet lines, live music, radio broadcasts and all forms of television/video screenings and other forms of entertainment such as dancing, darts or karaoke are not allowed on board. Recorded music may be played only as soft background music, not exceeding 60 decibels.
(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.16 of 2021
No restrictions for vessels arriving from Pakistan & India
Monday, May 10, 2021, Saudi Arabia
There are currently no restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabian port authorities for vessels arriving from Pakistan and India.
Master must send the updated crew list and mention the same in Maritime Declaration Health message prior to arrival, as well as updated crew body temperatures on daily basis from 72 hours prior arrival, to the appointed agents/terminal.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Saudi Arabia, contact GAC Saudi Arabia at jeddah@gac.com
Quarantine and testing of off-signers
Monday, May 10, 2021, Philippines
Please be guided on the following changes in the conduct of crew changes of disembarking seafarers, regardless of nationality:
- On the day of disembarkation, seafarers shall proceed to the One-Stop Shop (OSS) facility for briefing and verification of documents. All seafarers must be briefed properly on the latest safety and health procedures of the national government, as well as their rights and responsibilities throughout the process.
- Thereafter, seafarers shall proceed to the OWWA-designated or BOQ-accredited facility for the quarantine proper and the RT-PCR testing on the seventh (7th) day, with Day 1 being the day of arrival in the facility. Notwithstanding a negative test result, seafarers must complete the facility-based quarantine period of ten days.
- The concerned OSS, in coordination with its designated/authorized molecular laboratory, must guarantee that swabbing will be done at exactly the seventh day and results to be delivered on the ninth (9th) day.
- Immediately upon receipt of test results, the local port agent or licensed manning agency (LMA) representative must coordinate with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regarding the transport arrangements of Filipino seafarers bound to their home provinces.
- Day of release from the quarantine facility shall be standardized on the tenth (10th) day regardless of the seafarers’ nationality.
- The local port agent or LMA representative must guarantee that the Filipino seafarers will be transported via Point-to-Point Scheme and that they shall report directly to the Rural Health Unit (RHU) in their respective provinces for the completion of the remainder of their fourteen (14) day quarantine.
The above procedures shall be effective 0001H 08 May 2021 and shall continue to be enforced unless otherwise revoked.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com)
Source: Republic of the Philippines’ Department of Transportation notice dated 7 May 2021
Sign-off of seafarers during second wave of COVID-19
Monday, May 10, 2021, India
The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India has led to re-imposition of movement restrictions to and from Indian by several countries.
The spread of coronavirus and the cross-border movement restrictions imposed by these countries has made repatriation of seafarers unsafe and difficult once they sign off at foreign ports. It has also become difficult to provide replacement seafarers for those signing off.
In view of the above, Indian seafarers presently on board are strongly advised to desist from signing off from the vessel, expect in case of extreme emergency /medical emergencies, for a period of one month or until the situation improves.
The seafarer whose tenure on board is going to exceed 11 months are required to intimate to this Directorate using the online repatriation request portal for further advise.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, DGS Circular No.13 of 2021 dated 8 May 2021
Panama-flagged vessels removed from preferential tariff dues list
Monday, May 10, 2021, China
It has been announced by the Peoples Republic of China’s General Administration of Customs that, with effect from 17 May 2021, Panama-flagged vessels will no long enjoy preferential tariffs for Chinese tonnage dues.
The following countries remain on the preferential list:
ASIA:
H.K., D.P.R.K, Vietnam, Japan, Burma, Philippines, Korea, Pakistan, Yemen, Malaysia, India, Laos, Singapore, PR China, Sri Lanka, Bangladeshi, Thailand, Turkey, Lebanon, Mongolia, Iran, Israel, Macau.
AFRICA:
Tunis, Congo, Ghana, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Algeria, Zaire, Morocco, Oman, Liberia.
EUROPE:
Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, Greece, The Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Romania, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Malta, Ukraine, Luxemburg, the Azerbaijani Republic Baku.
AMERICAS:
Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Peru, Argentina, US, Bahamas, Brazil, Bermuda.
OCEANIA:
New Zealand, Cayman Islands.
For further details about operations in China, contact GAC China at china@gac.com
Crew change quarantine requirement for vessels arriving from India
Monday, May 10, 2021, Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates
Khorfakkan Immigration has advised that that vessels arriving from India must complete 14 days quarantine in order to perform crew change at Khorfakkan. The 14-day period is calculated from the day the ship has departed from the Indian Port.
Even if a vessel is coming from India, transiting some other foreign port (other than UAE PORT), the ship needs to complete 14 days’ quarantine in order to carry out crew change at Khorfakkan.
Please also note that for Indian nationals, crew change is completely suspended.
For further details and updates as well as information about operations at Khorfakkan, contact GAC Fujairah at fujairah@gac.com
Temporary pause on entry for travelers who have been in India
Monday, May 10, 2021, Australia
The Australian Government has implemented a temporary pause on entry to Australia for passengers who have been in India within 14 days before the day of the person’s scheduled departure for Australia.
The risk assessment that informed the decision was based on the proportion of overseas travelers in quarantine in Australia who have acquired a COVID-19 infection in India.
The Australian Government will reconsider the temporary pause on 15 May 2021.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Heightened mandatory precautionary measures for ship repair calls or contact ops in shipyard/process terminals/marine & process waterfront facilities
Monday, May 10, 2021, Singapore
All arriving “Not To Land” NTL crew from ships arriving at shipyards for repairs or conduct contact operations in shipyards/process terminals are subjected to the heightened mandatory precautionary measures, as follows:
Pre-Arrival Criteria
a) No Crew Change within the past 21 days prior entering Singapore
b) No Shore leave or physical interaction with any overseas individuals other than own crew within the past 21 days prior entering Singapore
c) All crew must have negative Pre-Departure Swab Test results, taken at their last port call.
Upon Arrival in Shipyard/Process Terminal/Marine & Process waterfront facilities
a) On arrival Swab and Serology (Total Ab or IgM+IgG) tests
b) Day 3, D7, D14 and D21 Swab tests
The Singapore Economic Development Board’s (EDB’s) approval must be sought before accepting any ships arriving or transiting through India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka into shipyards/process terminals/Marine & Process waterfront facilities in the past 21 days. Shipyards/process terminals/Marine & Process waterfront facilities are to work with ship agents, and email cco@edb.gov.sg with the header “EDB’s Approval required: Acceptance of Ships arriving from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka”.
Process terminals must only conduct contactless operations or contactless operations with segregation regardless of the ship’s last port of call. These vessels should also conduct contactless operations in any port of call in the past 21 days prior entering 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 notice dated 7 May 2021
COVID-19 second wave: Invocation of Force Majeure
Monday, May 10, 2021, Karaikal, India
The Government of Puducherry has declared full curfew from 10 May 2021 (midnight) up to 24 May 2021 (midnight). Further, the Government of Tamil Nadu has declared full curfew from 4.00am on 10 May 2021 to 4.00am on 24 May 2021.
In light of the above, kindly be notified that Karaikal Ports operations/performance (including but not limited to unloading, loading, receipt and dispatches) are being severely affected. In the circumstance, Karaikal Port Pvt. Ltd. (“KPPL”) hereby invokes Force Majeure at its port at Karaikal effective from 0000 hours on 10 May 2021…
…KPPL shall not be responsible for any claims whatsoever arising out of and/or connected to the above Force Majeure event, either directly or indirectly, which without any limitation would include vessel demurrages, inter alia due to pre-berthing or any other delays of whatsoever nature and accordingly the Discharge Rate Guaranteed under the Agreement shall also not be applicable for all vessels to be handled at Karaikal Port during the Force Majeure period. Supply chain of several critical parts and spates that are critical for the operation of port equipment is also likely to be impacted.
In due course, KPPL shall notify the “Cessation of Force Majeure” based on further notifications/directives from the Central Government and State Governments as they case may be.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Karaikal Port notice dated 8 May 2021
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