On 3 April 2020, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a media release on “Additional Measures to Minimise Further Spread of COVID-19”. All business, social, or other activities that cannot be conducted through telecommuting from home will be suspended from 7 April 2020 to 4 May 2020 (inclusive). Essential Services and their related supply chains, as well as entities that form a part of the global supply chain, are exempted from the suspension.
As maritime is a key economic sector and the Port of Singapore is critical in ensuring the flow of goods, it will remain open for cargo operations and will continue to provide essential marine services including bunkering, ship stores and ship supplies.
Maritime-related activities will be exempted from the suspension, including:
a.Shipping e.g. ship operators and liner operators
b.Shipping-related services e.g. ship management and ship agencies
c.Safety and navigation services e.g. class societies, pilotage, salvage and towage
d.Port and terminal operations including construction
e.Port marine services e.g. ship chandlers, bunkering, ferry service
Maritime entities exempted from the suspension will receive a confirmation email from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) by Friday, 3 April 2020, 2200H. They can also confirm their eligibility for this exemption at www.mpa.gov.sg/es_enquiry from 3 April 2020, 2200H.
Business activities that can be conducted with employees telecommuting from home can continue to operate.
For more information, please refer to MPA’s Port Marine Circular 20 of 2020 (Annex), or call 68765818.
Since the onset of COVID-19, MPA has been working closely with industry stakeholders and other government agencies in taking all necessary precautionary measures to protect Singaporeans, passengers as well as our maritime workforce, including crew members. In addition, MPA and the maritime sector remain committed to ensuring operations continue to run smoothly and efficiently, so that essential goods and supplies will continue to be brought into Singapore.
Source:MPA
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.
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