- ICS has issued new guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
- It is prepared in collaboration with WHO, IMO, ECDC and IMHA.
- It contains advice on managing Port Entry Restrictions.
- Offers practical protective measures against COVID-19 for seafarers with a management plan.
- It also provides information on important topics and hygiene measures to be followed.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued brand new guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), says a press release on the website.
ICS releases comprehensive document
The comprehensive 22-page document has been produced in collaboration with prominent international bodies including:
- The World Health Organization (WHO).
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
- The International Maritime Health Association (IMHA).
Guidance measures highlighted
Among a raft of measures highlighted in the guidance the document contains advice on managing Port Entry Restrictions, offers practical Protective Measures Against COVID-19 for Seafarers, including an Outbreak Management Plan.
The guidance document also provides information on important topics including Port Entry Restrictions, Pre-boarding Screening, Education and what to do in Suspected Cases of Infection.
There is also straightforward advice on Hygiene Measures for Seafarers on Ships, Managing High-Risk Exposure, Case Handling, Isolation and Cleaning, Disinfection and Waste Management.
The guidance also comes with posters that can be printed out and placed onboard ships as well as a Sample Pre-Boarding Passenger Locator Form and a WHO COVID-19 Support and Logistics Supplies List.
Precautionary measures keen to prevent the outbreak
Speaking at a meeting with Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO, to discuss the ongoing challenges facing the sector, Guy Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping said: “With no vaccine currently available to tackle the Coronavirus, all industries and governments must take appropriate steps to contain the spread. Shipping is responsible for 90% of global trade and recognizes its responsibility in helping tackle this global health issue whilst ensuring that the wheels of global trade continue to turn.“
He added, “This document is the result of careful and considered collaboration with international partners. It is intended to be comprehensive, but also easy to understand and implement. Providing shipowners and operators who are dealing with the sharp end of the crisis with the reassurance and guidance needed to continue to carry out their operations. We are, however, conscious of the fluid nature of the situation, and will continue to work with international bodies to ensure our guidance is in line with the most up to date developments.”
Port entry restrictions
Many governments have now introduced national and local restrictions including:
- Delayed port clearance;
- Prevention of crew or passengers from embarking or disembarking (preventing shore leave and crew changes);
- Prevention of discharging or loading cargo or stores, or taking on fuel, water, food and supplies; and
- Imposition of quarantine or refusal of port entry to ships (in extreme cases).
Shipping companies may have little choice but to adhere to these national and local restrictions due to the serious concern about COVID-19 and the potential risk to public health. However, it is very important for port States to accept all ships (both cargo and passenger), for docking and to disembark suspected cases on board, as it is difficult to treat suspect cases on board and it could endanger others. If any infection or contamination is found onboard visiting ships, port States may take additional measures to prevent the spread of the infection or contamination.
Together with flag States, companies and Masters should co-operate with port State authorities to ensure, where appropriate, that:
- Seafarers can be changed;
- Passengers can embark and disembark;
- Shore leave can continue if safe to do so;
- Cargo operations can occur;
- Ships can enter and depart shipyards for repair and survey;
- Stores and supplies can be loaded; and
- Necessary certificates and documentation can be issued.
Case Handling
Case handling should include the following:
- Be initiated by the ship’s medical care providers in order to detect any new suspect cases;
- Include directly contacting crew and passengers, asking about current and recent illnesses, and checking if any person meets the criteria for a suspect case; and
- Be recorded in the appropriate medical logbook.
Medical care providers should:
- Ensure a suspect case is interviewed and provide information about the places they have visited within the last 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms and their contacts;
- Keep records regarding:
- Anyone on board who has visited the medical facility as a suspect case and the isolation and hygiene measures are taken;
- Any close contact or casual contact with low-risk exposure to monitor their health;
- Contact details of casual contacts with low-risk exposure who will disembark and the locations where they will be staying in the next 14 days (completed PLFs or Maritime Declarations of Health (MDHs); and
- Results of active surveillance.
Management of Contacts of a Suspect Case
Port health authorities will conduct risk assessments to identify all contacts and issue instructions to follow until laboratory results are available.
All close contacts should either complete PLFs or MDHs and remain in their cabins or at a facility ashore and follow the competent authority’s instructions until laboratory results are available.
- The forms should contain contact details and locations where the suspect case will stay for the following 14 days.
- All close contacts should be informed about the suspect case on board.
- If the laboratory examination results are positive:
- All close contacts should be quarantined for 14 days, and
- The patient should disembark and be isolated ashore in accordance with the competent authority’s instructions.
Quarantine measures
Quarantine measures should follow WHO guidance of considerations for quarantine of individuals in the context of COVID-19 and are also likely to include:
- Active monitoring by the port health authorities for 14 days from last exposure;
- Daily monitoring (including fever of any grade, cough or difficulty breathing);
- Avoiding social contact and travel; and
- Remaining reachable for active monitoring.
- Contacts of a confirmed case should immediately self-isolate and contact health services if symptoms appear within 14 days of last exposure.
- If no symptoms appear, the contact is not considered at risk.
- Implementation of specific precautions may be modified following a risk assessment of individual cases and advice from port health authorities.
Applicable for all ships
The guidance document has been designed to support all types of ships that operate in international waters.
It will be distributed to seafarers through the International Chamber of Shipping’s network of national member associations.
It is free to download from this link and will be shared via social media.
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Source: InternationalChamberofShipping
