A recent news article published in the Manifold Times states that crew change for 291 ships delayed over CNY due to positive Covid-19 tests.
China’s Ministry of Transport
China’s Ministry of Transport, General Administration of Customs, National Immigration Administration, along with other ministries and commissions, reportedly issued a joint statement on 24 January.
The statement noted local authorities finding crew members of several vessels, including SEA TOPAZ, PK MARIT, EASTERN GARDENIA, NEW PARADISE, SEASTAR 1, ODELMAR, LOWLANDS NELLO, JIN YUE, IKAN SELAYANG, and CERES THREE, to have tested positive for the Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Test.
Epidemic prevention and control
As such, the ships and their related shipping companies have either failed to effectively fulfil their responsibilities for epidemic prevention and control, or that prevention and control measures were not correctly implemented, stated authorities.
Due to the development, it was decided:
- Within 15 days from 24 January, the suspension of foreign crew change in China’s domestic ports will be in effect for Hanaro Shipping Co, Ltd (the vessel management company of SEA TOPAZ), V Ships (Shanghai) Ltd (the vessel management company of EASTERN GARDENIA), Associated Maritime Co (Hong Kong) Ltd (the vessel management company of NEW PARADISE), and five other companies along with their respectively owned ships.
- Within 30 days from 24 January, the suspension of foreign crew change in China’s domestic ports will be in effect for AR Shipping LLC (the vessel management company of PK MARIT), Total Ship Management Services SA (the vessel management company of ODELMAR), Goldenbeam International Ltd (the vessel management company of JIN YUE) and five other companies along with their respectively owned ships.
Foreign crew members of the ships from the above-mentioned companies, if tested positive for the Covid-19 Nucleic Acid Test, will be continuously suspended from changing shifts in China’s domestic ports until being re-evaluated and approved by the relevant departments, said the statement.
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Source: Manifold Times