- China is strengthening control measures for the containment of COVID-19 cases.
- The international ship crew is not allowed to come ashore due to strict measures.
- China has further tightened its regulations on seafarers coming ashore for any reason.
- Chinese crew with less than 14 days of the sailing period are quarantined.
- Similar restrictions are placed by countries all over the world.
According to an article published in Seatrade-Maritime news and Skuld, China is strengthening control measures for the containment of imported COVID-19 cases.
International crew banned
It stated that an international ship crew is not allowed to come ashore as a matter of principle. As the crew change crisis continues China has further tightened its regulations on seafarers coming ashore for any reason.
Liu Haitao, an official from China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA), said at the latest press conference held by China’s State Council’s Joint Defense and Joint Control Mechanism response to COVID-19 outbreak status that overseas ship crews are not allowed to land, and the Chinese crew members who have sailed for more than 14 days at sea and are in good health condition are allowed to go ashore.
14-day quarantine period imposed
Chinese crew with less than 14 days of sailing period need to be quarantined for further observation. Currently, Chinese border agencies are examining more than 20,000 daily border entries via sea, land, and air transport, accounting for over 70% of the country’s total daily border entries.
To prevent imported virus transmission from seaports, the NIA also track ships on international routes to prevent illegal entry and stowaways, said Liu. At the beginning of this month, China’s Ministry of Transport issued notice to strengthen the crew change management onboard ships sailing international routes for further prevention and control of COVID-19 spread.
Whilst the virus has meanwhile spread to almost all countries, there are currently certain clusters in which a higher number of COVID-19 cases are reported. The number of clusters is vastly increasing, spreading to Europe, North and South America.
To avoid the spread of the virus, the USA has issued entry restrictions to non-US citizens or non-US residents arriving from China and Europe and this makes crew changes challenging in US ports.
The current situation outside China
Whilst the virus has meanwhile spread to almost all countries, there are currently certain clusters in which a higher number of COVID-19 cases are reported. The number of clusters is vastly increasing, spreading to Europe, North and South America.
To avoid the spread of the virus, the USA has issued entry restrictions to non-US citizens or non-US residents arriving from China and Europe and this makes crew changes challenging in US ports.
Europe
Europe has implemented a similar entry ban refusing entry to everyone who is not a citizen, permanent resident or family member of an EU or EFTA member state or the UK. The air traffic to and within Europe has been massively reduced which makes any crew change at a European port almost impossible.
Singapore
We also see more and more countries in South America now putting mirroring entry bans into force. These actions reflect a severe tightening of measures to fight the global spread of COVID-19, compared to the initially implemented 14 days quarantine period which many countries put in place against vessels arriving from countries in which high numbers of COVID-19 cases were reported.
In order to grant free pratique, many ports now require to be provided with health declarations and records of the temperature taken of seafarers daily. Most countries have implemented mandatory screening of crew and passengers before they are allowed to leave the vessel, provided they are even allowed to disembark; and a strict declaration of anyone on board who is suspected to have contracted the coronavirus. Some countries do not allow crew or passengers who are suspected to carry the coronavirus to disembark.
In addition to entry bans, we have also seen countries like India and South Africa implementing a strict lockdown period. We receive reports from both countries that most of the ports are still operating despite the issuance of Force Majeure certificates, albeit at a much slower pace.
Looking ahead, we expect to see extended delay periods in ports and challenges with crew exchanges. It may be difficult to get sick crew disembarked, in cases that do not qualify to be a medical emergency, in countries that experience a high number of COVID-19 cases already having hospitals being stretched to their limits. Members are accordingly encouraged to involve the Club as early as possible on crew sickness and injury cases.
On the right- hand side, we have linked a webpage from Messrs. S5 Agency World and the same include a world map that shows countries in which a normal crew change may still be possible. However, we need to point out that as the situation is very fluid, members are encouraged to always double-check the current situation with the local agents.
Current situation for vessels’ crews
With these tightened measures implemented by countries, regular crew change has become a challenging task for shipowners, and the same is the reason that several of our members are encouraging their crews to serve onboard longer than their contractually agreed period.
If the seafarer agrees to extend their time onboard under the crewing contract, it is the responsibility of the members to seek the necessary confirmation and approval of relevant authorities together with the extension of the validity of certificates, or if an extension cannot be obtained, the approval of an exception by the relevant authorities.
As for the Extended PEME programme, Skuld accepts that seafarers stay onboard beyond 12 months and as for maintaining the validity of their certificates in excess of the statutory required certificate they have, and which usually is valid for 24 months, the member is advised to contact the relevant authority. Should it be impossible obtain an extension whilst it is impossible to effect a crew change, then the crew cover will remain to be intact.
In order to help the seafarers to cope better with the prolonged stay on board, the focus on the wellbeing of the crew should be increased. The Club has found useful information provided by International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) on mental health, including a video that addresses some of the queries voiced by seafarers.
Crew management plans in place
To avoid the spread of COVID-19 on board, members are encouraged to establish management plans together with their company doctors on how to handle the situation onboard their vessels.
The Club wants to also encourage members to have Skuld’s new COVID-19 safety awareness poster being displayed on entered vessels.
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Source: Sea-tradeMaritimeNews & Skuld
