For dealing with the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 in a pragmatic and harmonized approach in the region, Tokyo MOU adopted the relevant guidance on 12 March 2020 for port State Authorities to apply pragmatic relaxation on requests for extending periods of service onboard of seafarers, delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits on a case-by-case basis. In accordance with the guidance, port State Authorities would accept the period of grace for delaying surveys, inspections or audits extended by flag State Administration and/or RO up to three months from the middle of January 2020 (starting of the outbreak of COVID-19). Taking into account that serious interruptions to the shipping industry become long-lasting as the consequence of the COVID-19 situation changed from epidemic into the world pandemic, Tokyo MOU reviewed and revised the relevant guidance in order to cope with the uncertain circumstances.
Noting that no end sign of the situation can be expected at the moment, the guidance is revised to allow port State Authorities to apply the pragmatic relaxation for an appropriate grace period for delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits specific to COVID-19 given to ship by the flag State Administration and/or RO. The revised guidance will be effective from 15 April 2020.
The guidance may be further reviewed upon any future initiatives IMO/ILO or developments of the situation.
Source:Tokyo MOU
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