The BIMCO Maritime Information department informs members on a weekly basis, updates about the COVID-19 in relation to implementation measures imposed by governments for sea transport including for crew change as well as from the United Nation bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO).
BIMCO provides the following update for this week ending Friday, 19 February 2021
1. IMO
IMO has issued the following corrigendum to the following circular:
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Circular letter no. 4204/Add.37 dated 16 February 2021 relating to the third video meeting for Port State Control ( PSC) regimes on harmonized action during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. IMO Crew Change - National Focal Point for Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers
As of today, the countries that have informed the IMO of the above are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Dominica, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu
3. Government States
The government of France has extended the state of emergency to end on 1 June 2021. As a consequence, the seafarers' certificates as mentioned in the IMO circular letter no 4234/Add.8, expiring from 12 March 2020 are extended to 1st June 2021.
Portugal
The Portuguese government maintains the cruise ship ban. Travel restrictions have been updated according to infection figures.
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The Maritime and Port Authroity of Singapore issued MPC circular no. 7/2021 dated 15 February updating their crew change requirements with immediate effect of the same date. Take note that this circular is supplementary to PMC 05/2021 . The new requirement relates to sign-off crew where approval must be sought for them requiring a COViD-19 pre-departure test ( PDT) which is a requirement in some countries or even some airlines before they are allowed to transit or enter.
The Fijian Maritime Safety Authority in a Marine Notice 14/2021 via an IMO circular letter no. 4385 has granted a general extension on the validity of seafarer's certificates (STCW and medical certificates) for a period of 6 months upon expiry or until 10 August 2021 whichever comes earlier.
4. Others
There is no report for this section.
5. BIMCO
BIMCO General COVID-19 Links
BIMCO is continuously monitoring COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on the shipping industry in particular on crew changes. Below are some of the type of information currently being provided by BIMCO :
You can also view all information on our COVID-19 landing page.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.
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