A to Z: How Coronavirus Affects Shipping?

By
Mfame Team
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1552

  • Following the virus frenzy, major shipping stakeholders issuing guidance and recommendations.
  • Moreover, ports have halted operations until further notice
  • To tackle the outbreak and protect shipping and seafarers, key players issued guidance on protection and combat of the virus’ spread.

According to an article published by Safety4sea, the coronavirus outbreak has set the shipping industry into a frenzy, with major shipping stakeholders issuing guidance and recommendations, ports halting operations until further notice and a feeling of uncertainty on how this emergency will be dealt with.

Coronavirus definition

The virus was firstly detected in the central city of Wuhan, China. It causes a type of pneumonia and includes signs of infection including respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

In the first place, the World Health Organization alerts that the principles to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections:

  1. Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
  2. Frequent handwashing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
  3. Avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
  4. People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands.

# Recommendations on how to stay protected from the virus

Therefore, in efforts to tackle the outbreak and protect shipping and seafarers from the virus, key players issued guidance on protection and combat of the virus’ spread.

Date Publisher Name of Publication Information
31 January 2020 IMO Circular Letter No.4203 The circular provides information and guidance, based on recommendations developed by WHO and the Division of Healthcare Management and Occupational Safety and Health, United Nations, on the precautions to be taken to minimize risks to delegates attending meetings at IMO following the recent outbreak of novel coronavirus.
31 January 2020 IMO Circular Letter No.4204 The circular provides information and guidance, based on recommendations developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the precautions to be taken to minimize risks to seafarers, passengers and others on board ships from the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
28 January 2020 Budd Group, France Circular (2019-nCoV)   The circular provides advice for those suffering from the symptoms of a respiratory illness.
27 January 2020 USCG New Orleans Marine Safety Information Bulletin, MSIB XX-20 The Bulletin advises that vessels calling within COPT will receive an email if the “Notice of Arrival’ declares that the vessel had called to China within the last five ports of call. Failure to report the above can lead to a civil penalty of up to $94,219.

 
29 January 2020 Inchcape Shipping Services, Kuwaiti port authorities   They issued a statement according to which all ship master’s coming directly or transiting China ports, are kindly requested to ensure to provide us a statement that no symptoms were observed such as high temperature, sore throat, coughing or breathing difficulties.
30 January 2020 United Arab Emirates Circular No (1) 2020 The circular notes that all the vessels that had visited any Chinese port in the previous 30 days, should provide a statement that crew has no symptoms.
31 January 2020 USCG Delaware Bay Marine Safety Information Bulletin The bulletin highlights the measures that the ships calling the Delaware Bay should follow in case of any crew experiencing symptoms, also reporting of any symptoms concerning passengers or crew that may have departed the vessel.
January 2020 USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin MSIB 01-2020 This bulletin provides guidance on reporting any sick or deceased crew/passenger, informs of quarantine station points.
31 January 2020 Aus Ship P&I Bulletin The bulletin includes advises issued by the Australian Government on how to combat the spread of the virus.
31 January 2020 Brazmar Marine Services No 4/2020/SEI/GIMTV/GGPAF/DIRE5/ANVISA The bulletin highlights that any suspected cases should be treated in isolation and with use of surgical masks.
31 January 2020 Pandi Liquidadores S.R.L Circular 019/2020 Although Argentina remains a low-risk country, the country demands that any symptoms of infection or any similar symptoms with the virus should be reported.
28 January 2020 Transport Malta Merchant Shipping Notice 157 The marine notice provides additional recommendatory measures on Coronavirus protection concerning those onboard.
31 January 2020 Gibraltar Port Authority Coronavirus Declaration for-000156 The Declaration should be completed by every vessel that will call Gibraltar at either the  Western Anchorage, East anchorage, North Anchorage, any alongside berth, Quick turnarounds, medical disembarkations, OPLA and OPLB.
29 January 2020 Panama Canal Authority Advisory to shipping No. A-04-2020 The marine notice advises safety measures for vessels arriving at Panama Canal waters, for port calls or transit.
30 January 2020 Kuantan Port Authority Circular 01/2020 Kuantan Port Authority has issued port circular 01/2020 which provides measures in Kuantan Port. This includes:

  • At least 48h prior to arrival, agent to advise the authorities if vessel’s last three ports included a Chinese port
  • Screening at anchorage prior to berthing
  • Crew not allowed to disembark without permission from Medical Officer, even after screening
  • Crew with history of travel from, or passport issued at, Hubei Province will not be allowed to disembark
31 January 2020 Pandiman Philippines Inc Memo Philippine Ports Authorities (PPA) advise:

  • Ports remain open to all ships even from those originating from China and its Special Administrative Regions (SARs).
  • The only conditions are the non-disembarkation of vessel crew and no visitors allowed while docked in any PPA-controlled port or at anchorage.
  • Ships calling in the Philippines more than 14 days after calling out at a port in China or its SARs shall be allowed to dock without restrictions
2 February 2020 USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin 02-20 The bulletin provides additional information and guidance to the maritime community regarding the current novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
3 February 2020 MPA Singapore Port Marine Circular No.02 Provides health advisory for;

  • operators, owners, masters, persons-in-charge and crew members of harbor and pleasure craft
  • shore personnel visiting ships alongside the wharves and at the anchorages
  • shipowners, ship managers, agents and masters of Singapore Registered Ships
3 February 2020 MPA Singapore Port Marine Circular No.03 Provides the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) requirements to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health to the Port Health Office.
3 February 2020 Huatai Insurance Agency and Consultant Service Ltd Bulletin The Bulletin summarizes the protection and control measures implemented by the port Authorities of each major Chinese port.
4 February 2020 Aus Ship P&I Bulletin The bulletin is an addition to the existent one, with the Club informing that the Australian Government is implementing enhanced risk assessments on all international vessels calling into Australia.
4 February 2020 JF, Bangladesh, Ltd Circular The circular provides information on the measures taken for the utmost protection from the coronavirus.
4 February 2020 Spark International   For vessels arriving at, Korean ports from or via China, the National Quarantine Station and related authorities have set up an enhanced screening measures for the crew onboard.National Quarantine Station officers are boarding those vessels to check the body temperatures of each crew along with handing out questionnaires to be filled out personally by all crew members.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) recently issued its recommendations in order to limit coronavirus spread.

# The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

The guidance is in line with WHO’s advice, informing that if the recommended measures are taken, there should be no ‘unnecessary restrictions on international traffic’.

The advice goes as follows:

  • Exit screening at ports in the affected areas to detect symptomatic travelers and prevent the exportation of the disease. This includes checking for signs and symptoms and keeping confirmed cases under isolation and treatment.
  • Implementing health information campaigns to raise awareness on how to receive assistance if someone is showing symptoms.
  • Collaborating with public health authorities for case management onboard ships, should a traveler with symptoms be detected.

# BIMCO

In late January, BIMCO published a statement noting that: “As a consequence of the current spread of Coronavirus, BIMCO has decided that no BIMCO staff can travel to the Far East until further notice. This decision extends to excluding anyone from personally attending any BIMCO training course, subcommittee meeting, working group, etc. who has been to China in the 14 days prior to the planned event.“

# Australian Port Authority

Australia highlighted that there was a failure on adequate checks for the coronavirus infections on vessels entering Australian ports.

In light of this, Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary, Paddy Crumlin commented that: “Australian workers are going out onto these vessels and having direct contact with foreign seafarers prior to them entering the port. Tugboat crews are receiving ship equipment that may have been in contact with infected seafarers. It shouldn’t be left to these workers to provide Australia’s response to an international, viral threat.“

# The International Transport of Workers’ Federation (ITF)

ITF highlighted the importance of seafarers being protected, advising that:

  • travelers should avoid unprotected contact with live animals;
  • thoroughly cook all animal products, including meat and eggs;
  • all travelers should practice good hygiene to avoid contact with anyone displaying symptoms.

# Cruise sector

The Cruise Industry was equally affected by the outbreak of the virus, with many cruise companies informing that their operations in Shanghai have been suspended. Thus, the companies offered refunds or rescheduled their voyages.

  • Royal Caribbean: Spectrum of the Seas, Costa Atlantica, Costa Venezia, and MSC Splendida have canceled their departures from the International Cruise Terminal in Baoshan District;
  • Costa Cruises: Suspension of all operations from China until February 4. Operations at other major Chinese ports have also been halted;
  • Norwegian Cruise Line: Introduction of non-touch temperature screenings for all passengers embarking from Chinese ports. Guests with a body temperature screening of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or higher will not be allowed to board and will be directed to seek local medical treatment. What is more, guests traveling from Wuhan, China or who have been in the city in the last 30 days will be denied boarding;
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises Asia Pacific: Will does not permit passengers who visited Wuhan including those who are from the region to board their ships;
  • Princess Cruises in Asia: No plans to change their itineraries and if necessary, they will introduce pre-boarding disease reporting for passengers arriving from affected areas;
  • Crystal Cruises: Closely monitoring developments related to the coronavirus, including recommendations from the World Health Organization.

# The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)

The PPA reported that they encompassed all PPA-controlled ports nationwide after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first nCoV case on January 30.

# Coronavirus Live Map

In efforts of monitoring the situation and tracking down the incident throughout the world, Johns Hopkins University launched a live, interactive map, which depicts in real-time, the spread of the virus.

For example, today, 4 February 2020, according to the map there have been totally of 20,679 cases of people infected, with 427 total deaths and 715 recoveries.

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Source: Safety4sea