COVID-19 Coronavirus

This page includes links and articles of general interest and will be updated when relevant information is available. 

Links to Steamship Mutual alphabetical list of country/jurisdiction updates 

Please click on letter to link to country/jurisdiction section below:

Film release: Marine Media Enterprises in association with Steamship Mutual present "Coronavirus: COVID-19 - The Vaccine Perspective"

Film release: Marine Media Enterprises in association with Steamship Mutual present "Coronavirus: COVID-19 Update 2021" 

Film release: Marine Media Enterprises in association with Steamship Mutual present "Coronavirus - Crew Change"

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COVID-19 FAQ 

Links to industry sites and articles 

Steamship Mutual alphabetical list of country/jurisdiction updates  

The information in this list is from correspondents and/or service providers and is updated regularly.

AFRICA

• General information booklet of 22 April 2020 from correspondents McLeans regarding various African countries: Senegal, Guinea, Guinea Bisseau, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Liberia covering lockdown, status of port and quarantine regulations, availability of stevedores, immigration/crew rules, availability of disinfection.
• Information from correspondents TCI Africa/Eltvedt O’Sullivan 22 April 2020 covering lockdown/curfew, port activity, airport in Cameroon; Congo; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea Bissau; Ivory Coast; Kenya; Liberia; Mauritania; Nigeria; Senegal; Tanzania; Togo.

• Information from correspondents TCI Africa/Eltvedt O’Sullivan 4 May 2020 re crew change possibility in Cameroon; Congo; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea Bissau; Ivory Coast; Kenya; Liberia; Mauritania; Nigeria; Senegal; Tanzania.

ARGENTINA

• Correspondent Vega & Co - Marine Risk and Insurance Solutions has provided an update in their Risk Alert - Hidrovia, regarding the quarantine of vessels arriving from Africa. As a consequence of the newest strain of COVID-19, the Omicron variant, new regulation means authorities will not authorize any vessel coming from the African continent without complying with a 14 day quarantine period. This quarantine period starts from the day of sailing from the last port and is expected to have minimal impact considering the rule applies to the African Continent and the transit time of the voyage.

• Correspondent Pandi Liquidadores has provided the following guidance for ships (5 October 2021) if there is Covid on board:

  • Ships arriving in Argentina need to comply with the pre-arrival sanitary information (72 hours pre arrival) declaring the background of the cases on board. It would be advisable to enter into ship's books the relevant dates, tests and results to be presented together with its supporting documents. 

  • As a matter of principle, Argentina's Authorities would require a quarantine of 10 to 14 days as of the date when the last positive case was detected. If the ship arrives with more than 14 days since the last positive case on board, we would expect for the Sanitary Authorities to require testing the crew prior to granting free pratique.

  • If the vessel arrives with less than 14 days since the last positive case or departure whichever later, it is likely for the ship to be quarantined until the 14th day and then the crew tested.

AUSTRALIA

• Australian Department of Health Covid-19 Information for the marine industry
• Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) - First COVID vaccination for foreign seafarers in Port Botany must be extended nationally 13 May 2021

• Maritime Industry Australia Border Closures timetable January 2021

• Correspondent Wallmans FAQ 10 September 2020 re South Australia

• Western Australia Exposed on-board worker directions. 2 July 2021. Provided by correspondents Bayside who comment regarding Clause 30 “Effectively, anyone working on board a vessel in Western Australia including surveyors, fumigators, lawyers and P&I Correspondents cannot be on board for longer than 12 hours without having to quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days afterwards

• Western Australia Government document 18 May 2021 “Infection prevention and control management of international maritime crew medical transfers”

• Western Australia Maritime crew member directions 2 June 2021

• Correspondents Cocks McNish Maximum period of shipboard service for seafarers 29 June 2020

• Correspondents Cocks McNish update re Western Australia crew changes 10 May 2021
• Port of Dampier: Requirements for vessels calling at Dampier 9 October 2020
• Correspondents Cocks Macnish update re Western Australia 11 February 2021 plus Quarantine Directions (No.4) issued by the Western Australia State Government - regulations for vessels visiting Western Australia ports to load or discharge cargo. 

• Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) directions and COVID-19 updates

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BANGLADESH

• Chittagong Port Authority Notice of 23.6.21 re “No Mask, No Service” policy

• Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association/Chittagong Port Authority Notice 28.6.21 Continuation of work during lockdown period

• Bangladesh Cabinet Division Circular 30.6.21 Restrictions on Movement

• Article by club correspondents MC Law Services “Virtual Court Proceedings in Bangladesh” 1 June 2021

• “No Mask No Service” Chittagong (Chattogram) Port Authority regulations regarding wearing of masks/gloves etc dated 23 March 2021

BELGIUM

• Vaccination of Belgian seafarers 2 June 2021 
• Belgium to prioritise seafarer vaccination 27 April 2021
• Access to Johnson & Johnson single jab vaccine for seafarers calling at Antwerp, Ghent and Zeebrugge – from Monday, 26th July 2021
• Procedural Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccinations for International Seafarers in Belgium Ports - July 2021
• Government Corona Commission (Belgium) – Guide to Making an Explicit Informed Choice to get the Janssen (J&J) Vaccine -16 June 2021

BRAZIL

• Correspondents Brazmar report the President’s Office issued Ordinance no. 661 on 8 December 2021, along with an office translation, establishing specific and temporary requirements for the entry of travellers in the country in view of the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Ordinance no. 662 of 10 December 2021, along with an office translation, was issued to defer the commencement of the application of the changes introduced by the Ordinance to 18 December, mainly due to a cyber attack which affected the Health Ministry’s vaccination database of Brazilian nationals.
• Brazil P&I's latest circular regarding the rules in force in Brazil relating to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Correspondents Brazmar report the Presidents Office has issued Ordinance No. 660, of November 27, 2021 and a translation, establishing specific and temporary restrictions for the entry of travellers into the country in view of the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

• Correspondents Proinde Anvisa updates/health measures for ports and vessels 5 May 2021

• Correspondents Proinde Practical Guidance for Brazil 9 July 2020 guidance on crew changes, quarantine, testing etc.

• Correspondents Proinde report that acceptance of seafarers ILO C-108 document has been extended until 1 May 2022

• Correspondents Proinde report that Brazil closes its air border to flights from India + general update on shore leave and crew change etc

• The Brazilian government issued Ordinance no. 658 on 5 October 2021 (translation provided by Correspondents Brazmar along with summary) which revokes the previous temporary ban on flights from South Africa, India, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And also establishes the basis for the cruise season in Brazil to commence on 1 November subject to additional regulation.

BULGARIA

• Sitrep 1 June 2020 from Kalimbassieris

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CANADA

• NAMMA Vaccine information list with list of states/ports and contact details for vaccinations 
• Transport Canada Marine Security Notification #2020-003 with information and guidance on how to minimize the risk of Coronavirus transmission, including what is deemed as Transport Canada’s “Temporary Direction and Guidance” for foreign and domestic flagged vessels.

CAMEROON

• Measures for ships calling at Douala plus Port Authority notice of 6 February 2020

CAPE VERDE

Advice received from Correspondent Silvio Duarte, International Shipping & Engineering Services - 6 October 2021:

• That all crew must do a PCR test on arrival and wait for the results on board
• Health professionals will be transferred to the ship to collect the PCRs
• Upon arrival, those with a positive test, must leave the ship when approved and proceed to the hotel where they will be monitored

CARIBBEAN

• Correspondents Caribbean Marine Surveyors 7 July 2021 update covering Aruba, Bahamas, Bonaire, Colombia, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, French Guyana, St. Eustatius, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

CHILE

• Club correspondents Cave advise on 23/10/10: “Crewmembers of any nationality can enter or leave the country  without visa or special permit. Also, if the crewmembers have a negative PCR test, they can fly in domestics flights to the different Chilean ports. Therefore, the crewmembers have no restrictions. We also checked with the local ITF inspector and he confirmed the same.”

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CHINA

• Correspondents Huatai Circular PNI 2022/02 - The Announcement of the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Customs on Effectively Implementing Remote Prevention and Control Measures of the COVID-19 for Vessels Engaged in International Voyages (including Chinese version) and English translation for The Guideline on Information to Submit Regarding Remote Prevention and Control Measures of the COVID-19 for Vessels Engaged in International Voyage. 7 March 2022

• Correspondents Huatai Quarantine requirements imposed for Haikou 14 October 2021

• Correspondents Huatai Quarantine requirements imposed for Dongfang 14 October 2021

• Chinese Ports Epidemic Prevention Measures Circular PNI (2021) 08 dated 28 May 2021 available in English and Chinese

  Some Chinese ports have upgraded their epidemic prevention measures. Correspondent Huatai’s circular covers: Dalian and nearby ports; Tianjin and nearby ports; Qingdao and nearby ports; Shanghai and nearby ports; Ningbo and nearby ports; Guangzhou and nearby ports; Xiamen and nearby ports

• Oasis Circular 2105 dated 4 June 2021 Update on handling of Covid-19 positive crew cases at Chinese ports

• Reporting Abnormal Health Condition of the Crewmember When Calling Chinese Ports. Circular from correspondents Huatai dated 18 February 2021 in English and Chinese

• Correspondents Shanghai P&I comments on vaccine requirements at major Chinese ports 11 March 2021

• Oasis P&I Circular 8 February 2021 Crew change policy at major Chinese ports for both Chinese and non-Chinese crew: Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, Ningbo, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Haikou, Shenzhen, Guangzhou

• Correspondents Huatai Circular 15 January 2021 Stricter Epidemic Control on Boarding Personnel at Ports of Guangzhou

• Correspondents Huatai Circular 30 October 2020 Update on foreign crew change and disembarkation (English version)

• Correspondents Huatai Circular 30 October 2020 Update on foreign crew change and disembarkation (Chinese version)

• Correspondents Huatai Circular 30 September 2020: Test institutions designated or recognised by overseas Chinese embassies or consulates

• New regulations for ship’s crew - for all international trading ships to Chinese ports
  Crew changes conducted at last port of call and within 14 days before the ships arrive in Chinese ports, all signing on crew members are required to hold NAT negative proof taken 3 days before boarding the ships by medical institutions as designated by the Chinese embassies and consulates.
  Ships, their shipping companies or agents are required to submit copies of NAT negative proof of signing on crew members at last port and signing on crew members boarding 14 days before the ships arrive in the first port of China. Read more in the International Chamber of Shipping (China) Liaison Office 24 September 2020

• Oasis P&I Circular 25 September 2020 Epidemic control of crew members

• Correspondents Huatai Circular 25 September 2020 – Announcement of Ministry of Transport 78/2020 - New Prevention and control measures for ships entering China.
  Free translation of Notice re: Dual Tests of Covid-19 nucleic acid and serum antibody for the crew from Indonesia to China on international sailing vessels (in both English and Chinese)

• Chinese Government Guidance on the prevention and control of Covid-19 on board (version 4.0) 11 September 2020

• Correspondents Huatai Circular 7 September 2020: Chinese Ports - Special Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures on Vessels Having Changed Crew Overseas within 14 Days

• Correspondents Huatai Circular: MSA Operational Guidance for Ships and seafarers.

COLOMBIA

• Update from correspondents A&A Multiprime 18 May 2020

CONGO

• Correspondent McLeans information about Pointe Noire 31 March 2020

CROATIA

• Correspondents Kacic & Brbora summary of Covid measures in Croatia 20 April 2020  including information on port restriction, ship inspections, seafarers (extension of validity of documents, crew changes, repatriations etc

CYPRUS

• EMCO update 15 October 2020

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DENMARK

• As of 1^st February 2022 the government of Denmark has decided to lift up all COVID-19 related restrictions, based on the recommendation of the Epidemic Commission, who does not consider COVID-19 as a national epidemic any longer. Seafarers entering Denmark for work onboard a vessel or an off-shore base are now exempted from self-isolation. Attached is a summary from Nordic P&I 1 February 2022

• Crew change update from Nordic P&I 2 November 2020

• Vaccination for Seafarers from w/c 13^th September 2021; updated 22 September 2021

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

• Update provided by correspondents E&M Consulting along with Resolution No. 000048 and Decree 622-21 – 12 October 2021

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EGYPT

• Crew change requirements 1 July 2020

• Ministry of Health Circular No6 of 2020 dated 21/2/20
• Correspondents Mesco crew signing on and off procedures during Covid Pandemic 2 September 2020
• EMCO update 15 October 2020 
• Correspondent Eldib update 1 April 2020

ESTONIA

• Update from Pandi Balt 21 May 2020

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FINLAND

• Finland plans to extend seafarer certificate validity 22 February 2021
• Crew change update from Nordic P&I 2 November 2020

FRANCE

• French seafarers receive priority access to COVID-19 jabs

• Correspondent Budd update re Le Havre/Rouen/Channel and Atlantic ports including information on crew changes, medical assistance, surveys etc 6 May 2021

• Christophe Nicolas memo on new regulations in France extending procedural deadlines and time bar. 11 June 2020

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GHANA

• Mandatory vaccination and potential fines for non-vaccinated crew and passengers - January 2022

GIBRALTAR

• Correspondents Mateos report that the Gibraltar Port Authority requires that the attached protocol/declaration be completed by every vessel, yacht, cruise liner, bunker barge that will call Gibraltar at either the  Western Anchorage, East anchorage, North Anchorage, any alongside berth, Quick turnarounds, medical disembarkations, OPLA and OPLB. No exemptions will be given. 

GREECE 

• Sitrep 1 June 2020 from Kalimbassieris

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HAITI

• Correspondents E&M Consulting website updates for Haiti and Dominican Republic

HONG KONG

• Testing and isolation requirements for seafarers from 20 February 2021

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INDIA

• Correspondents Crowe Boda update including port operations; courts; crew movements 5 May 2021

• GAC update for various Indian ports 2 July 2021 including information on crew change, force majeure, port operations etc  

• DGS Circular 9 of 2021 Vaccination of seafarers 23 April 2021

• DGS Circular – COVID-19 – Arrangement for vaccination of seafarers – 15^th May 2021  

• FOSMA, MASSA  and National Union of Seafarers of India – Joint drive of pilot project for seafarer vaccinations from 10 June 2021

• Directorate General of Shipping circular 13 of 2021 – sign off of seafarers during second wave of Covid – revised circular dated 12 May 2021

• ’e-pass’ for Indian and foreign seafarers signing on and off vessels in Indian ports to allow travel within India during the lockdown. Director General of Shipping order 15 of 2021 dated 28 April 2021

• FAQ for Crew Changes in India 15 May 2020

• Order 12 of 22 April 2020 Standard Operating Procedure for crew change of Indian seafarers plus circulars from Kolkata, Mundra, Paradip, Sikka, Cochin, Goa

• Order 21 of 20 July 2020 Standard Operating Procedure for repatriation of foreign seafarers from Indian ports

• Directorate General of Shipping Orders 04 of 2021 Extension of validity of ship’s statutory surveys and audits (dated 22 January 2021) and 16 of 2021 Extension of Certificate of Competency/Proficiency (dated 28 April 2021)

• Trade Circular from Andaman & Nicobar Administration re Crew change of Foreign nationals at Port Blair. 2 December 2020

INDIAN OCEAN

• Information from Reunion correspondents Indoceanic 4 May 2020 covering various jurisdictions including Reunion, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles.

• Crew change documents for REUNION (in French, English documents not available) dated 18 April 2020 - Débarquement / Embarquement Équipage De Navire (En Situation De Pandémie) and Procedure Releve Équipage.

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INDONESIA

• Correspondent SPICA South East Asia Port Implications 21 April 2020

ITALY

• Decree of 11 March 2020 Italian Ministry of Health
• Correspondents Vaudo Paggini Covid-19 Procedural Rules and Time Bar in Italy 23 June 2020

• Correspondents Mauro Consultants Legal & Maritime Recommendations (including vessel restrictions) 26 March 2020

• Form for sanitary free pratique request 

• Maritime Declaration of Health 

• Health questions

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IVORY COAST

• Update from correspondents Budd 26 March 2020

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JAPAN

• Precautions for Foreign Seafarers entering Japan – 12 May 2021

• 15 January 2021: A State of Emergency exists in 11 out of 47 prefectures. Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe (Hyogo pref.) and Yokohama (Kanagawa pref.) are included in these 11 prefectures where it is requested but not ordered, 1) to shorten open hours for restaurants and bars, 2) to reduce the number of workers at offices by 70%, 3) to avoid outings in the evening and 4) restrict events. This State of Emergency will run till 7 February 2021 but could be extended depending on the situation.   

  Japan stopped new entry of non-resident foreigners in 2020 with the exception of business travelers visiting from Vietnam, Mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. This exception is temporarily suspended from 14 January 2021 and new arrivals form these 11 countries/regions too are refused. However, again, there are special exceptions. Entry is allowed to persons who have re-entry permit, spouse/child of Japanese/permanent resident person and others who met the Japanese government’s conditions - further detail here. 

JORDAN

• Update from correspondents Amin Kawar 23 March 2020

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KENYA

• Crew Change Guidelines July 2020 provided by Nisomar, Kenya

• Kenya Ports Authority requirements for people/vessels having called at China in the last 14 days
• Advisory procedures for the port of Mombasa

KOREA

• Quarantine restriction report from correspondents Korea Universal Marine 18 May 2021

• Update from Mutual Service Korea 7 May 2021

• Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries: Guidance on permission for arrival and departure of ships September 2020 

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LATVIA

• Update from correspondents Pandi Balt 21 May 2020

LEBANON

• EMCO update 15 October 2020

LIBYA

• Precautionary and Preventative measures manual for ships from Correspondents Mediterranean Coast Consultants 7 April 2021

LITHUANIA

• Update from correspondents Pandi Balt 21 May 2020

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MALAYSIA

• Crew change possibilities in Malaysia – update from GAC 3 August 2020

• Bintulu Port health screening procedures

• Correspondent SPICA South East Asia Port Implications 21 April 2020

MALTA 

• Correspondents H Vassallo protocol for crew changes August 2020

MEXICO

• General Guidelines and Update 1 May 2020 from correspondents P&I Services (Mexico)

MOROCCO

• Update from correspondents Maclaims maritime Morocco 20 May 2020 (plus 4 May, 22 April, 18 and 20 March)

MOZAMBIQUE

• Covid measures update from correspondents P&I Associates 16 October 2020 

MYANMAR

• Correspondent SPICA South East Asia Port Implications 21 April 2020

• Precautionary Restrictions for travelers from all countries visiting Myanmar. 

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NETHERLANDS

• Launch of seafarer vaccination programme from mid-June 2021, for seafarers working on Dutch flag or managed vessels. 12 May 2021 

NIGERIA

• Update from correspondents Africa Marine 26 March 2020

NORWAY

• Crew change update from Nordic P&I 2 November 2020

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PAKISTAN

• Update re crew changes and surveyor attendance etc from AIV Private Ltd of Karachi 22/10/20

PANAMA

• Update from correspondents Fernie 23 December 2020 + Panama canal update

• Panama Canal Advisory 15 April suspension of the second reduction in the max allowed drafts for the Neo Panamax locks

PHILIPPINES

• New Entry Protocols for Arriving Filipinos (including seafarers / sea-based OFWs) and Foreigners - further detail from ALON also – February 2022
• Pandiman Philippines, Manila and other areas to go into strict Enhanced Community Quarantine - 6th to 20th August 2021

• Pandiman Philippines Crew repatriation and travel restrictions update 3 June 2021

• Filipino Seafarers included in Priority List in Philippines COVID-19 Vaccination Program 12 April 2021

• Registration for Vaccination of Filipino Seafarers scheduled for deployment in next 90 days

  Marina Advisory 28 of 2021 dated 25 May 2021. Maritime Industry Authority of Philippines Government (MARINA) ask all registered shipping companies and licensed manning agency to prepare and submit their Filipino seafarer’s deployment plan for next 90 days (Period covering from July to September 2021) to MARINA in the prescribed template by close of business 26 May 2021. The list in the prescribed template shall be submitted to the following email address: miss@marina.gov.ph with copy to odap@marina.gov.ph

  The notification also lists all the designated primary vaccination centres for the qualified seafarer due for inoculation.

• Restrictions for travellers from Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh 6 May

• Correspondents Del Rosario report that parts of the Philippines, incl. Metro Manila, back in lock down, 4 August 2020

• Guidelines for the Establishment of the Philippine Green Lane to Facilitate the Speedy and Safe Travel of Seafarers, Including their Safe and Swift Disembarkation, and Crew Change During the COVID-19 Pandemic 2 July 2020

• Protocol of the Philippines on crew change and repatriation of seafarer
• Requirements for vessels arriving in the Philippines and POEA General Guidelines

• POEA Resolution 13 - Interim Guidelines for Deployment and Provisions for Repatriation of Filipino Seafarers 8 September 2020.
  This outlines an employers’ obligations in various circumstances where a seafarer’s deployment and/or repatriation may be impacted by COVID-19.

POLAND

• Update from correspondents Sulnave 25 March 2021

PORTUGAL

• Correspondents Pinto Basto update 17 May 2021 – with updated information on border controls; flights; test requirements; quarantine; cruise vessels etc

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ROMANIA

• Sitrep 1 June 2020 from Kalimbassieris

RUSSIA

• Correspondents Axis February 2021 Covid risks at Russian Black Sea ports including advice to Masters, bunker sampling during the pandemic
• Correspondents Axis Russian Black Sea ports preventative measures 11 March 2020

• South Russia review from Correspondents Antarica 3 April 2020

• Novorossiysk Letter from Sanitary services 10 March 2020

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SAUDI ARABIA

• New Procedures for Entry of Travelers into Saudi Arabia from 20 May 2021

• Saudi Ports Authority Circular 43 of 2020 Covid-19 regulations

SENEGAL

• 72 hours before their arrival in Dakar, all vessels must email the following documents:
  • List of the last ten (10) ports of call;
  • Maritime Health Declaration;
  • Crew list specifying joining date and port of each crew member
  to both:
  1. the Harbour Master at capitainerie@portdakar.sn, and
  2. the Maritime Border Health Inspection Services (Service de Contrôle Sanitaire aux Frontières Maritimes) at csfmsn@gmail.com
• Vessels arriving from an area affected by COVID-19 are now obliged to remain at anchorage until inspectors from the Maritime Border Health Inspection Services have carried out checks on board. The vessel will only be allowed to enter the port once it has received free pratique from the inspectors.
• TCI Dakar Circular 24 March 2020 – note the recommendation for extra vigilance to avoid the embarkation of stowaways.

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SINGAPORE  

• Joint Release by MPA, SSA, SMOU, SOS, ITF, IMEC and ICS: SG-STAR FUND: First Global Tripartite Initiative to Support Countries for Crew Change 17 September 2020

MPA CIRCULARS

• Consolidated list of MPA Circulars

1. ATTENDANCE ON BOARD 

• REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS ARRIVING IN THE PORT OF SINGAPORE DURING COVID-19 (Port Marine Circulars No. 12 of 2022)

2. CREW CHANGE

• SHORE LEAVE FOR CREW WORKING ONBOARD VESSELS VISITING THE PORT OF SINGAPORE (Port Marine Circulars No. 08 of 2022)

• Singapore Crew Change Guidebook v7 – COVID-19 Protocol on Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers - 7 May 2021

• CREW CHANGE FOR CARGO SHIPS IN THE PORT OF SINGAPORE AND APPLICATION FOR VACCINATION (Port Marine Circulars No. 06 of 2022)
• Stay Home Notice (SHN) and swab summary 9 November 2020

3. OTHER GUIDANCE

• DORSCON YELLOW PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES (Port Marine Circulars 09 of 2022)
• EXTENSION OF ASSISTANCE TO SINGAPOREAN SEAFARERS UNDER THE SEAFARERS RELIEF PACKAGE (Port Marine Circulars No. 48 of 2021)
• CHANGES TO PRE-ARRIVAL NOTIFICATION AND NOTIFICATION OF ARRIVAL (Port Marine Circulars No. 11 of 2022) dated 28 June 2021
• Pilotage - Singapore Harbour Pilots Guidance for Ship's Masters regarding working with pilots 1 July 2020 

SOMALIA

• Update from Mutual Marine Al Mushtaraka 15 May 2020

SOUTH AMERICA

• SAPIC organisation map with links showing measures taken by several South American jurisdictions 2 July 2020

SOUTH AFRICA

• SAMSA’s Marine Notice 19/21 - all foreign seafarers in SA ports are now regarded as documented foreign nationals and as a result they are eligible for vaccination in our country - released 23 September 2021 and update from ENS Africa 

• Control measures applicable at all South African ports. Correspondents Shepstone & Wylie SUMMARY plus Chief Harbour Master NOTICE 6 May 2021

SPAIN

• Correspondents Grupo Stier advise that all persons entering Spain (Canary Islands included) require a negative PCR/COVID test result 72hrs prior to entry. In the event the person has previously been positive; a certified test showing the presence of antibodies will be required. Failure to provide said results can result in fines of up to €6,000. Spanish Official Bulletin 298 of 12 November 2020 (in Spanish)

• Update of 25 June from Correspondents Tablada (for ports of Seville, Huelva, Cadiz, Algeciras)

• Update of 26 March 2020 from Correspondents Hispania P&I

• Law firm AIYON – Circular on COVID-19 and Port and Legal system in Spain

SRI LANKA 

• Correspondents Intermarc update 8 October 2020

SUDAN

• Correspondents Mutual Marine Services & Transport al-Mushtaraka Ltd. Advise on 12 May 2020 that when a ship arrives at Port Sudan, if the voyage has taken 14 days or longer, the vessel can berth on arrival. If less than 14 days the vessel will have to wait at the anchorage until the 14 day period is reached. This does not apply to ships that arrive at Port Sudan via the Suez Canal, in which case all these ships must wait at the anchorage for 14 days. All ships on arrival will be boarded by the Port Health to check the crew as necessary.

SWEDEN

• Crew change update from Nordic P&I 2 November 2020 

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TAIWAN

• All ships calling Kaohsiung, Taiwan will be required to have a rapid test of Covid-19 to all crewmembers at 48 hours prior to arrival and berthing 1 March 2022

• Correspondents Taiwan Maritime crew change update 18 August 2020 

THAILAND 

• Correspondent SPICA South East Asia Port Implications 21 April 2020

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

• Correspondent Teal Pandi update 27 May 2021

TURKEY

• Correspondents Ersoy Bilgehan Crew Changes in Turkey 8 December 2020 

• Correspondents Ersoy Bilgehan Client Alert New Precautions for Marine Transport Industry 17 March 2020.

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UAE

• Fujairah notice Vessels calling from Indian ports crew change suspended 29 April 2021

• Fujairah: Crew changes during Covid: Port of Fujairah Notice to Agents 4 August 2020 and Port of Fujairah Notice to Mariners of 5 August 2020

• UAE Federal Transport Authority Circular 12-20 of 2 August 2020 resuming maritime activities and crew changes plus UAE Return to work safely protocol dated 2 August 2020 covering crew changes, ferries, passenger ships, yachts, shore pass procedure etc

UKRAINE 

• Update from correspondents Svertilov Marine 16 February 2021 including crew change information

• Update on crew changes from correspondents DIAS 11 November 2020

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UNITED KINGDOM

• UK Department of Transport: Domestic Cruise Ship Travel Guidance updated 8 July 2021

• UK Chamber of Shipping - Seafarers, irrespective of nationality, will be exempted from Red List (Acute List in Scotland - i.e. Quarantine) 16 March 2021

• Van Ameyde McAuslands Covid safe crew changes leaflet re PCR tests for crew in or visiting the UK November 2020

• Department for Transport Guidance for shipping and sea ports

• UK Government Passenger Charter 4 June 2021

URUGUAY

• Correspondent Chadwick Weir has provided the following guidance for ships (5 October 2021) if there is Covid onboard:

  • the vessel will be ordered by sanitary authorities to quarantine (14 days after the last positive), and will not be allowed to berth/load until quarantine completion
  • medical control and swabbing on board will be required for ascertaining the health status of crew, as well as the measures to mitigate the transmission, if possible, of the virus
  • positives could be hospitalized depending on the seriousness of the illness in each case. Otherwise, daily controls of temperature and symptoms to the crew must be practiced on board befoer being reported to authorities

USA 

• COVID-19 – Helpful Information & Resources - Seafarer vaccinations – US Ports - Article by Tony Nicholson
• NAMMA Vaccine information list with list of states/ports and contact details for vaccinations 
• COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Requirements and Support
• Port of Baltimore to offer COVID-19 Vaccinations for Visiting Seafarers – J&J Single Dose – Beginning 15 June 2021 
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information (texas.gov)
• Multilingual COVID-19 Resources on the FDA website. This may be of interest to employees/seafarers who wish to receive additional information about vaccinations, etc.
• Report by correspondents Hudson Tactix on vaccines in the USA 14 May 2021 
• USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin 04-21 Crew Change Issues 17 March 2021
• USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin No 02-21 dated 1 February 2021 Covid-19 Safety requirements in the maritime transportation system. This includes a link to the CDC requirement for persons to wear masks whilst on conveyances and at transportation hubs
• Correspondents Royston Rayzor Texas Ports and Courts update 13 May 2021
• Correspondents Independent Maritime have provided the following documents: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendation, Instructions for the Maritime Conveyance Illness or Death Investigation Form and Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston Marine Safety Information Bulletin 17-21 Sector Houston-Galveston Port State Control Hazardous Condition Attestation Update, 9 April 2021
• Correspondent IMC provide Basic recommended precautions for vessels calling at the US
• Maritime Conveyance illness or death investigative form
• CDC Issues Phases 2B and 3 of the Conditional Sailing Order (Cruise Ships) 5 May 2021
• CDC Guidance for ships managing Covid-19
• CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order that introduces a phased approach for the safe and responsible resumption of passenger cruises 30 October 2020 
• CDC General information How to protect yourself/What to do if you are sick (available in various languages)
• USCG FAQ
• USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB)
• American Waterways Operators (AWO) COVID-19 Contingency Planning Guide for Towing vessel and Barge operators
• US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Information for American employers
• American Bureau of Shipping: Response measures to COVID-19 for Marine and Offshore Industries May 2020

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VENEZUELA

• Correspondents Globalpandi Circular 5 September 2020 re crew changes and repatriations

• Correspondents Pandi Venezuela 25 March 2021 update on Covid situation in Venezuela

• Correspondents Globalpandi Circular 6 May 2020 regulations for STS operations in Venezuelan waters

VIETNAM

• Correspondent SPICA South East Asia Port Implications 21 April 2020
• Port circulars from Ho Chi Minh dated 6 February 2020 and Haiphong dated 7 February 2020
• Haiphong: Ships arriving in Haiphong from Korea and Japan equated to arriving from China 
• Quang Ningh Province Guideline dated 6 March 2020

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YEMEN

• Outline of Covid-19 measures from correspondents GAC 10 April 2020

• 12 May 2020. Correspondents GAC report that the Yemeni Ministry of Health has declared the port city of Aden as a contagious city with the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. Besides other epidemics such as Chikungunya, Dengue fever and malaria, Covid-19 virus is claiming the lives of dozens of citizens on a daily basis in front of a complete collapse of the health system and the absence of state authorities. The port of Aden in the meantime remains open and operational. 

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