BLOOMBERG CRUISE https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-where-are-the-cruise-ships/

In the table below info from: https://safety4sea.com/

The North Club has summarised all information concerning which countries enable crew changes and not – In the table below info from: https://safety4sea.com/

# Ports’ regulations during the pandemic:

Date Publisher Name of Publication Information
01 June 2020 Turkish Ministry of Transport, Turkey   Surveyors, repair teams, agents, suppliers, etc. wearing the correct PPE and passing necessary fever controls in the port will be permitted onboard the vessels transiting the Turkish Straits without obtaining permission from the authorities. This is provided that the visitors boarding the vessels do not enter inside the accommodation.
29 May 2020 Turkish Ministry of Transport, Turkey   The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure instructs harbour masters:

  1. to provide convenience to change of Turkish and foreign crew members at Turkish ports
  2. to re-commence port state inspections at Turkish ports to the 15% of the vessels which are flying non-Turkish flags
26 May 2020 Transport Malta, Malta Port Notice No 09/20 Transport Malta issued Port Notice 09/20 titled “COVID-19 Temporary Precautionary Measures – Framework of protocol for conducting maritime support services”.
26 May 2020 Federal Government  of Brazil, Brazil The Federal Government has published Ordinance 255 which extends, for a further period of 30 days, the prohibition of foreigners entering the country by air, road or water.Similar to previous Ordinances, art 4 establishes that the restrictions do not apply to:

  1. Brazilian, born or naturalised;
  2. immigrant with permanent residence, for a fixed or indefinite period, in Brazilian territory;
  3. foreign professional on mission at the service of an international organisation, as long as duly identified;
  4. passenger in international transit, provided he does not leave the international area of ​​the airport and the country of destination admits his ticket;
  5. foreign employee accredited to the Brazilian Government;
  6. foreigner: a) spouse, partner, son, father or curator of a Brazilian; b) whose entry is specifically authorised by the Brazilian Government in view of the public interest or for humanitarian reasons; and c) bearer of the National Migration Registry.
  7. cargo transportation.

Art. 5 expressly creates two exclusions relevant to shipping operations. Firstly, it allows the entry and stay of a foreign maritime crew member with an international seafarer card issued under the terms of the International Labour Organisation Convention, whose entry is required by the maritime agent to the Federal Police, to exercise specific functions on board a vessel or platform operating in jurisdictional waters. The seafarer’s identity card mentioned may be substituted by a passport that attributes the status of seafarer to its holder, provided that it is issued by a country signatory to the International Labour Organization Convention. This allowance however does not exempt the foreigner from the obligation to carry an entry visa appropriate to his condition as a sea crew member, when this is required by Brazilian law. Secondly, the disembarkation of crew members for medical assistance or for air connection to return to the country of origin related to operational issues or termination of employment contract has also been allowed. It is further established that for this kind of entry, permission will be issued by the Federal Police through a term of responsibility for the expenses resulting from the connection signed by the relevant maritime agent after prior consent of the local health authorities, and the corresponding air tickets must be presented.

26 May 2020  Pandi Liquidadores S.R.L, Argentina Open and operational ports:Necochea & Bahia Blanca ports: Health Authorities request ships calling from “affected areas” a 14-day transit form last port of call. Stevedores at Necochea,  however, refuse to provide services to any ship calling with less than 14 days transit time. “Affected areas” are EU members, Schengen members, UK and North Ireland, United States of America, Korea, Japan, China, Iran, Chile and Brazil.

San Nicolas port (public berths): port authorities seem to be requesting to ships calling a 14-day transit time from any previous port, but this does not seem set in stone.

The crew of the Uruguayan Pilots’ boats, which are used by the Argentinean Pilots to embark / disembark at Recalada Pilot Station from Montevideo/Buzeo, have decided on 18th May 2020 to remain under quarantine (stopping their activity) until all their staff are tested for COVID-19. In the meantime, Argentinean pilots are using the small port of Piriapolis in Uruguay which could entail some delays to embark/disembark at Recalda.

Surveyors attendance:  some restriction may be encountered but so far services are being provided.

The National Protocol for the prevention of covid-19 has been amended. It provides additional requirements for ships’ arriving to Argentina. The requirements will vary  depending on transit time, last port of call and crew changes. This includes additional/enhanced pre-arrival information and documentation; clarification as to mandatory quarantine applicable; and requirements applicable to Pilots.

It provides express provisions applicable to ships:

  • in general (ships arriving to first roads or where the first pilot is picked up with more than 14 days transit time from last port of call, or with less than 14 days transit time if the last port of call is not considered a “high risk” country [so far EU members, Schengen members, UK and North Ireland, United States of America, Korea, Japan, China, Iran, Chile and Brazil];
  • calling from risk zones with no crew changes (less than 14 days transit time of the last port within “high risk” country without changing crew for more than 14 days prior to arrival);
  • crew changes (calling from any country there was any change on the crew, or any crewmember had to be disembarked for urgent reasons, with less than 14 days transit time since last port of call).

Mandatory quarantine would be applicable if there are confirmed COVID19 cases on board; or suspected cases and the quarantine ordered by the Sanitary Authorities. In addition, if any vessel whatsoever fails to comply with the requirements and pre-arrival information requested according to the protocol, the vessel will be placed in quarantine for 14 days (counting as from the date of departure from the last port of call).

In addition, if a COVID19 is confirmed on board of any vessel that has called Argentinean ports within 30 days of its departure, the ship agents must be provided with certain documentation / information to be submitted to our Authorities (understood to track possible contagion in the country during ship’s call).

25 May 2020 GAC , Caribbean Marine, Teal P&I, Trinidad and Tobago The country is currently implementing a phased reopening plan, but the country’s boards remain closed until further notice.
25 May 2020 Cariconsult, Meyer Agencies Ltd, Bermuda International flights remain suspended and non-essential vessels are prohibited from entering the seaport. The country has commenced a phased reopening, authorised businesses are permitted to operate between 07:00 – 21:00
25 May 2020 Caribbean Marine, Cuba All boarders remain closed until further notice.
25 May 2020 E&M International Consulting, Hogarth, Cariconsult, Haiti The state of emergency will remain in place until at least 19 July. A curfew between 20:00 – 04:00 is in force.
25 May 2020 Cariconsult, Caribbean Marine, Schad Expertise, Wilhelmsen, Dominican Republic Land, air and sea boarders will remain closed until at least 1 June 2020. The night time curfew remains in force.
21 May 2020 Department of Shipping, Bangladesh Further to the advice issued by the Director General of the Department of Shipping on 29 April not to impose any container detention charges on import and export shipments for the period of the lockdown, there were reports of local agents continuing to impose container detention charges.As such, another circular dated 17 May reinforcing the directive to give waiver on container detention charges until 30 May. Furthermore the Department of Shipping issued a circular on 20 May requesting to annul the licenses of all the liner shipping agents who will not comply with the above instructions with regards to waiving container detention charges for import and export shipments.
21 May 2020 PANDI BALT SIA (LTD), Wilhelmsen, RAMANAUSKAS IR PARTNERIAI Law Firm, Lithuania State of emergency in the country is valid until 31 May 2020.

  • Entrance of cruise ships to Klaipeda Port is prohibited by the resolution of the Lithuanian Government.
  • Entrance of cargo ships and movement of goods are not restricted.
  • It is prohibited for foreigners to enter the Republic of Lithuania, except for drivers and crew members, when commercial and/or international carriage of goods is carried out, also there are other exceptions.
  • Seafarers shall be allowed through the territory of the Republic of Lithuania without a necessary stop, in formed groups of persons or vehicles with ensured compulsory escort. Escort not required for citizens of Latvia or Estonia.
    Every person while not at home must have his mouth and nose covered (mask, respirator, scarf, etc.), so the same apply to the crews.
  • 24 h prior to entering the port Captain must submit a health declaration. Information regarding health of a crew members must be updated 2h prior
  • entering the port. If the declaration indicated a sick person on board:After the vessel is berthed National Public Health Center (NPHC) under the Ministry of Health epidemiologists come onboard and investigate the situation;
  • If symptoms are relevant, sick crew member is transferred by ambulance to hospital;
  • By the order of NPHC vessel (cabins), other living quarters have to be disinfected by the crew with the disinfection means on board, if the crew has no means, disinfection has to be done by the licensed Lithuanian entity.
  • After the cleaning and disinfection agents, stevedores, surveyors and others are allowed to come onboard.
  • Persons (agents, others), who are contacting with the crew members have to wear means of personal protection.
  • After the disinfection persons who are not in contact with a crew are allowed to participate in loading / unloading operations onboard.
  • Isolation of 14 days is compulsory for persons, who have returned from foreign countries. So if the seafarer is repatriated or coming home after his contract ended, he will have to spend 14 days at a quarantine facility established by the government.
21 May 2020 PANDI BALT SIA (LTD) , Wilhelmsen, Latvia State of emergency in the country is valid until 9 June.

  • All international passenger transportation was stopped from 17 March 2020, but special voyages required for repatriation of the residents from abroad are performed.
  • Since 15 May 2020 free movement around the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) is allowed for the residents of these countries is allowed. Since 18 May 2020 Latvian airline AirBaltic resumed commercial flights to and from Vilnius, Tallinn, Oslo and Frankfurt.
  • Calls of cruise ships to Latvian ports are still prohibited, excluding special (repatriation) voyages.
  • Prior to entering the port all ship agents of all cargo ships calling at the ports shall provide the port authorities with accurate information on the composition of the ship’s crew and the health status of all crew members. Any cases of illness or bad feeling among the members of the crew are to be reported to the authorities.
  • The crew of foreign-flagged vessels calling at the Latvian ports shall be prohibited from coming ashore, except the specific cases to be agreed upon when necessary for the normal operation of the ship.
  • All activities related to cargo handling and ship maintenance shall be performed to minimize physical contact between persons.
    The ships must refrain from current vessel repair and maintenance works by involving shore personnel, to the extent possible.
  • Specific internal procedures have been introduced and changes made to operating procedures to minimize physical contact among shift employees, as well as any contact with crews of incoming ships. Pilots and other port personnel who, due to their duties, cannot avoid meeting with crew members shall be provided with personal protection and disinfection agents. Contacts between the vessel crew and pilot or vessel inspector is to be organised by observing distance of at least 2 metres.
  • Since the beginning of May local marine doctors resumed PEME, so the seafarers now can undergo the commission. Out-patient medical services for the seafarers, who were abroad within the previous 14 days, are available only after passing Covid-19 test.
21 May 2020 Pandi Balt Sia, S5 agency world, Estonia The state of emergency in the country was lifted on 18 May 2020 but the below restrictions remain in force.

  • Passenger traffic between Estonia and Finland is only allowed for returning citizens or in certain special cases.
  • 14 May 2020 the ferry link between Tallinn and Helsinki was partly reopened for work-related journeys. Travels for tourism are still not allowed.
  • The ban on cruise ship calls directly concerns the cancellation of four scheduled ship calls. Tallinn-Stockholm cruises are prohibited
  • Reintroduction of border control and ban on the entry for foreign nationals from 17 March 2020 is still in force, excluding residents of the Republic of Lithuania and The Republic of Latvia.
  • The general 2+2 rule remains in force – only two people can be in a public space together and a two-meter distance must be kept from others.
  • There are no national restrictions on freight transport. There are no significant changes in the schedules of regular freight lines vessels (containers and ro-ro) due to COVID-19 and voyages continue as before the crisis. Also, there has been no significant change in bulk cargo handling.
  • Port of Tallinn has made several changes to work processes to ensure the continuity of the service.
  • Personal protective equipment is provided to all frontline personnel.
  • There are some international flights from Tallinn airport, up to date flight information on Tallinn Airport website.
19 May 2020 Intermarc Services, GAC, Mclarens Shipping Ltd, Sri Lanka The curfew is in force in the districts of Colombo (Port of Colombo) and Gampaha until further notice. Curfew in other districts are effective from 8pm to 5am daily until 22 May. Airports continue to be closed for arrivals until further notice, and departure flights are limited. Sri Lankan Airlines resumed limited operations to selected destinations (London, Tokyo, Melbourne and Hong Kong).
19 May 2020 P&I Services Pvt. Ltd, Aeghiscorp Maritime Ventures, GAC India, Bose & Mitra & Co, James Mackintosh & Co. Pvt. Ltd., India GAC advise as follows:

  • Cargo handing at Indian ports is expected to gain momentum by end of May as the extended countrywide lockdown is expected to end on 17 May.
  • Handling of cargoes such as coal, oil and gas; have been largely going on smooth during the lockdown periods
  • Following advisory issued by India’s Shipping Ministry – all major ports have considered the pandemic as a valid ground for invoking the ‘Force Majeure’ clause on port activities and operations. Even though; the manpower availability at ports had been down, touching an average of 50%-55% during the initial lockdown periods -operations were not affected to a large extent and still, continued.
  • Ports with more mechanized facilities, available – manged to sustain operations without much difficulties whilst; those ones, which had to rely on Manual labour, in turn experienced serious slowdown in cargo operations.
  • India has almost filled up all its available crude storage capacity, including commercial and strategic petroleum reserve
  • Ports/terminals continue operations with some reports of reduced manpower and barge/shore truck availability which cause delays.
18 May 2020 Pinto Basto, Bensaude – Shipping Agents, Ltd, Potrugal The Portuguese Government have extended border control and containment measures until 15 June:

  • All flights of all airline companies (commercial or privately held) from and to Italy and Spain are suspended, with exception of diplomatic and armed forces, mail and cargoes, as well as humanitarian or medical
  • Road, railroad and river transportation suspended on Portuguese borders between Portugal and Spain to remain under constricted control
  • All airspace within EU and Schengen areas remain closed to international flights with destiny to EU + Schengen area or departing from, with some minor exceptions.
  • Crew changes or disembarks with repatriation purposes, may be authorized, on a case by case basis, subject to approval and opinion of Health Maritime Authority by Immigration Office and Local Port Captaincy.
  • Passenger vessels still not be authorized to disembark any guests/crewmembers/staff. Licenses to go ashore also will not be granted. Exception is made to Portuguese Citizens living in Portugal wishing to debark at our ports.
  • Passenger Cruise vessels still may call to carry out supplies, provisions, fresh water and other supplies, as well as to perform bunkering operations.
  • Cruise vessels may be in Lay-up at Portuguese ports, while awaiting repairs in dry-dock if authorized by Port Authorities.
  • Cruise vessels cannot disembark passengers, crewmembers or staff. However, in exceptional cases disembarkations may be performed if authorized by Health Authority and with direct disembark from vessel to international airport area.
  • All persons arriving to Portugal by sea; air or ground borders may be subject to quarantine for 14 days in hotel subject to additional requirements of Regional Health Authorities.
  • Vessels not performing commercial calls may be prevented to enter Portuguese ports.
  • For commercial calls, vessels are allowed to enter and berth in order to perform commercial ops (load/discharge) with no delays or minor delays on account of terminals/vessels contingency plans.
  • Health Maritime Declaration must be sent prior vessel’s arrival, at least with 24 hrs in advance and with new Health Maritime Declaration sent on arrival day.
  • Pilotage, towage services and linesmen are working normally, with some contingency plans of their owns.
  • Crew Shore leave is suspended.
  • In some ports, some terminals (on account of its contingency plans) do not allow visitors, crew change nor provisions & supplies by shore side. In these situations launch boat is the only alternative to serve vessels needs by sea side.
  • Contact between Officers and Crew with terminal staff, surveyors and agents are kept to a minimum possible.
  • Additional PPE (such as Masks, Goggles and Gloves will be compulsory to use in some ports / terminals.
  • At present moment there aren’t ports/terminals closed or restricted
  • At present moment NO vessel calling under commercial calls has been refused to enter or berth in Portugal
18 May 2020 JF (Bangladesh) Limited , Interport Group, Coast To Coast P&I Services Ltd, GAC Bangladesh, Bangladesh Withdrawal of the temporary stay on issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for import of ships for recycling. Ship yards have resumed operations.
16 May 2020 C.Fernie & Co S.A GAC Panama, Panama Agencies Co. Inc., Cariconsult, Panama International commercial flights remain suspended. The suspension was extended up to 22 June. Flights in and out of Panama could remain suspended into July or August. Cargo flights and courier companies continue reduced service in Panama for the time being. Curfew and road blocks could have an impact on the time it takes for Customs clearance and delivery. At this time, all crew changes, overseas technician and superintendent attendances remain suspended. Ships personnel are not allowed ashore unless there is a medical emergency and special permission has to be requested from the Ministry of Health.There are some exceptions to the lockdown which include the Panama Canal and the Maritime sector.  Ports and Terminals continue operations.
15 May 2020 GAC, C-RECT P & I Services, Shikoku Marine Agency Company Limited, Japan Updated list of countries that the Japan’s Ministry of Justice is denying permission to land foreigners, unless the circumstances are exceptional. The State of Emergency in 39 prefectures (out of 47 prefectures) was lifted on 14 May, but in the remaining 8 prefectures including Tokyo and Osaka, declaration of emergency is continued.
15 May 2020 Neffous Shipping & Consulting (P&I), Bemi P&I, Société Algerienne des Etablissements, MORY & Cie, TCI Africa, Algeria Curfew continues in force in all the country from 07h000 to 19h00, which limits the port operations to take place between these hours. In Algiers, Oran, Blida curfew is applied from 07h00 to 17h00. In some ports, the discharing operations of one (1) hold / shift per vessel is implemented. Crew and cargo are inspected at their arrival to ports.
14 May 2020 Huatai Insurance Agency, China Circular Ref No.: PNI [2020] 07 The agency issued a circular providing updates on crew changes concerning ill or injured crew.
14 May 2020 France The French Government has enacted an Order providing that any time bar before the French Court which was due to expire as of 12 March 2020 is frozen until the end of a time limit of three months from the end of the Health Emergency as declared in France. As things stand, the health state of emergency is in force until 10 July, therefore time limits due to expire between 12 March and 10 August are extended until 10 October.
14 May 2020 Brazmar, Brazil Brazmar advise that:

  • the Admiralty Court extended the suspension of procedural deadlines until 29 May (Ordinance No. 22).
  • ANVISA has issued RDC 384, which establishes a temporary procedure for issuing the Certificate for On Board Sanitary Control (CCSB), or its exemption, by documentary analysis only. This measure will apply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The CCSB, which should not be confused with Free Pratique, is the equivalent to the Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSC) implemented by the World Health Organisation as of June 2007, and replaces the previous Deratting Certificates. A valid CCSB, or exemption, should be carried by foreign flagged vessels, in national or international transit, and national flagged vessels, in international transit.
  • The measures established in RDC 384, in practice, will allow the assessment by ANVISA of a vessel’s sanitary condition in a documentary manner as part of the “Paperless Port System”. The change is temporary and does not exclude physical inspections if deemed necessary.
  • ANVISA has explained that these changes will make it possible to direct its workforce to other activities, such as monitoring vessels in quarantine. Along with the request for issuance of CCSB on a documentary analysis, Owners will be requested to provide the documents listed in art 3 of RDC 384, these are related to the necessary hygiene on board in relation to drinking water, air conditioning, food storage, medical installations, sewage residues, accommodation area, harmful fauna control and solid garbage. Preferably, these documents should be provided in digital format, and the pictures of the installations should be of good resolution.
14 May 2020 MedPandi, Indeco, Aiyon Abogados, Nagasa, Wilhelmsen, Bull Marine Surveyors, Spain The Ministry of Transport has published Order TMA/410/2020, limiting the entry of aircrafts and passenger vessels through designated points of entry with capacity to attend public health emergencies of international importance, which will enter into force on Saturday 16 May 2020.This regulation applies to ro-ro vessels and passenger vessels operating a regular service with ports outside Spanish territory, with passengers that are not the drivers of drawing vehicles or trailers. This regulation also applies to passenger flights flying into Spain from abroad.

The above means of transport will be only allowed to use the ports and airports designated as points of entry (PoE).  These PoE are:

  • Ports: Barcelona, Bilbao, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Valencia and Vigo.
  • Airports: Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Málaga and Palma de Mallorca.
  • This regulation is not applicable to State vessels, cargo vessels nor vessels operating for humanitarian, medical and emergency purposes.
13 May 2020 Ukraine The Government of Ukraine have extended the period of quarantine in Ukraine until 22 May.
13 May 2020 Mozambique Mozambique is under quarantine until 30 May

More: https://safety4sea.com/

 

More: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-coronavirus-cases-world-map/

 

A map showing the effect of Covid-19 restrictions

Info: COVID-19 Global Port Restrictions Map

COVID-19 MAPs for shipowners, operators, shipyards, offshore, port and terminal managers, forwarders, seaferers, dockers, sailors and their families.  This is a map for anyone who needs up-to-date information on COVID-19 in maritime business

With the COVID-19 outbreak, ports, terminal operators  and shipyards are imposing various restrictions on vessels and crew, to help companies keep track of these restrictions, Wilhelmsen Ship Services has produced the following map.

LINK: https://www.wilhelmsen.com/ships-agency/campaigns/coronavirus/coronavirus-map/

The ITF has launched a map showing the effect of Covid-19 restrictions on countries and ports around the globe. Based on data from the ITF’s network of around 140 inspectors and contact networks, the map will be a vital resource for the thousands of seafarers hit hard by the crisis.

EU Mobility and Transport INFO: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/coronavirus-response_en

LINK https://www.itfseafarers.org/en/embed/covid-19-country-information-seafarers

COVID-19: Coronavirus Outbreak – Impact on Shipping *Update* https://www.nepia.com/industry-news/coronavirus-outbreak-impact-on-shipping/

World ports Covid19 information portal – https://sustainableworldports.org/world-ports-covid19-information-portal/

International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network https://www.seafarerswelfare.org/ info:

World Health Organization:

International Maritime Organization: www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

COVID-19 – Country information for seafarers (map with current port information and contact details for ITF inspectors): www.itfseafarers.org/en/embed/covid-19-country-information-seafarers

COVID-19 Information Dashboard (country- and port-specific advice on COVID-19 measures): geollectcoronavirusdashboard.com.s3-website.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Port Restrictions Map (updated daily): wilhelmsen.com/ships-agency/campaigns/coronavirus/coronavirus-map

Management of Suspected COVID-19 on Board (information for officers responsible for medical treatment on board ships and mobile offshore units): www.covid19atsea.no

CHIRP Maritime (April 2020):

Coronavirus – How to Beat it (free-of-charge awareness video by Seagull and Videotel): www.microsite.videotel.com/coronavirus

Coronavirus – Stay Safe on Board (video produced by Marine Media Enterprises with the support of Columbia Ship Management, ISWAN and Steamship Mutual): www.steamshipmutual.com/loss-prevention/stay_safe_on_board_0420.htm