HOT PORT NEWS from GAC

Restrictions at terminal
Thursday, March 5, 2020, Sikka, India

The following restrictions are in effect at Reliance Terminal Sikka, as precautions against COVID-19:

Garbage disposal at the terminal for all ships whether at SPM, jetty berths or at anchor has been stopped as per instructions of PO, GMB, Jamnagar.

Shore leave to ship’s crew has been stopped as per PO, GMB instructions.

No sign-on and sign-off will be permitted as per PO, GMB instructions.

Visit to vessel by company representative, vetting inspector or any other person suspended as per PO, GMB instruction.

Provision/stores/bunker/fresh water supply will be allowed only at anchor provided there is no human contact (person-to-person) as per PO, GMB instruction.

Crew of all vessels coming to jetty berths will be screened by terminal paramedic on berthing. Other activities relating to loading or discharging will commence only after screening.

All personnel transiting zero point will be screened prior entry or exit.

Crew change restricted until further notice.

Agents are instructed to carry their own PPE while visiting vessel i.e. hand gloves, face mask, sanitizer, disposable bag. If they fail to bring, it will be issued by terminal on an interim basis.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected]

French ports’ precautions update
Thursday, March 5, 2020, France

As part of precautions being taken to prevent/control the spread of coronavirus, many French ports request calling vessels to submit a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH), and follow the instructions of the regional health agency.

At Bordeaux and Bayonne, where the MDH was not previously requested, this document is now required. The last ten 10 last port calls and crew members’ nationality will be checked. For any problem, the regional health agency will take the necessary decision. If in doubt, it is recommended to call French emergency medical services “call 15”.

At Rouen and Brest, vessels must remain at anchorage until further notice and health agency instructions are received.

At La Rochelle/Pallice, they must also await at anchorage/await instructions, and confirm the 10 last ports of all as well as the nationality of crew members. If Chinese nationals are on board, it will be checked if they came on board within the last 14 days. If the MDH is negative but crew members have come aboard within 14 days, the vessel will remain at anchorage for 14 days. If the vessel has called at an infected zone during the last 14 days, it will remain at the anchorage until the 14 days since leaving the infected zone is completed.

At Montoir/Donges, vessels will remain at anchorage for medical diagnosis and then implementation of a medical procedure, if required.

At Fos/Martigue, in the case of a positive MDH, the vessel must comply with regional health agency instructions. There are strict precautionary measures in place at Lyondellbasell and Fluxel terminals.

(For further details and updates, or information about operations in France, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at [email protected])

Source: SEA-invest Shipping Agency – GAC agent

WHO guidelines for avoiding/managing onboard outbreak
Thursday, March 5, 2020, Worldwide

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released guidelines to avoid or manage an outbreak of coronavirus on board ships, available for download at https://www.who.int/publications-detail/operational-considerations-for-managing-covid-19-cases-outbreak-on-board-ships.

For information about measures taken at ports worldwide to counter the spread of COVID-19, contact the respective GAC office. Contact details may be found in the ‘GAC WORLDWIDE’ section of www.gac.com

Updated restriction on ship personnel disembarkation
Thursday, March 5, 2020, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s ban on disembarkation from vessels coming from Chinese ports has been lifted and crew changes can now be carried out as normal.

The only cases in which disembarkation is now not permitted is for vessels which have called at South Korean, Italian or Iranian ports within the last 14 days.

Any vessels intending to carry out crew/sea marshal/personnel disembarkation, but which have called at a port in Italy, South Korea or Iran within the last 14 days shall NOT be permitted to do so until the 14 day-period from leaving those ports has been completed.

In such cases, vessels must remain at OPL Galle until the completion the 14-day period. Thereafter, they may proceed with crew/sea marshal/personnel disembarkation. Crew/sea marshals/personnel should be repatriated by arranging direct flights from Colombo airport within 7-8 hours of disembarking from the vessel. No stay will be permitted in Sri Lanka, and off-signers shall be directly dropped to the airport.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, contact GAC Sri Lanka at [email protected]

Heightened alert & tightening of surveillance
Thursday, March 5, 2020, India

With a rise in COVID-19 cases reported in India, Port Health & Immigration authorities at all airports and seaports are now adopting universal screening of all arriving guest/crew arriving through thermal imagery equipment provided by the Ministry of Health & Science, and on the basis of mandatory submission of Self Declaration and Maritime Health Declaration provided by the Master of vessels, with all necessary supporting documents.

Authorities in Cochin gave a detailed briefing to all vessel agents/stakeholders to support and cooperate the measures, as the country is moving into a heightened state of alert and tightening all surveillance activities to avoid possible community transmission.

All crew changes have been banned with immediate effect and will be attended to on a case-to-case basis only, subject to necessary approvals being received from concerned authorities.

As per currently available information, only two suspected cases have been reported so far through seaports in India. The first was at Chennai, which ultimately tested negative for COVID-19, and the second one, at Paradip, is awaiting results.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected]

Travel & visa restrictions related to COVID-19
Thursday, March 5, 2020, Cochin, India

With regard to travel and visa restrictions related to COVID-19, the following advisories are issued for immediate implementation:

All regular (sticker) Visas/e-Visa (including VoA for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before 03.03.2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Such foreign nationals may not enter India from any Air, Land or Seaport ICPs. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.

Regular (sticker) visa/e-Visa granted to nationals of Peoples Republic of China, issued on or before 05.02.2020 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force. Such Chinese nationals may not enter India from any Air, Land or Seaport ICPs. Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.

Regular (sticker) visas/e-Visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to Peoples Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after 01.02.2020, and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect. Such foreign nationals may not enter India from any Air, Land or Seaport ICPs. Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.

Diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and Aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory.

All foreign and Indian nationals entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form (including personal particulars ie phone no. and address in India) and travel history, to Health officials and Immigration officials at all port.

Passengers (foreign and Indian) other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry.
The above advisory may please be implemented immediately.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected])

Source: Seaport Immigration Cochin notice dated 3 March 2020

Vessels calling at Scottish ports
Thursday, March 5, 2020, Scotland, United Kingdom

Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Ports Liaison Network in response to this emerging situation regarding COVID-19, stating that information must be submitted to the Scottish Port Health Authority in the respective port in the following cases, irrespective of whether the vessel is arriving from a foreign port or another UK port:

Cruise Vessels – ALL cruise vessels
Container and Cargo Vessels – where anyone on board the vessel has travelled from or via any current risk area or if they have been in close contact with confirmed case of COVID-19 infection within the 14 days prior to the vessel arriving in a Scottish Port.
The required information required is the same as that required in the current Maritime Declaration of Health to allow the Port Authority to establish:

Any persons unwell during the voyage and/ or on arrival, and any sanitary measures taken in response to that illness
Origin of the ship, when it left the origin port, and all ports where the vessel has docked during the 14 days prior to arrival.
Any crew changes involving people from risk areas
The Master of the vessel should submit the information using the current MDH form, where possible, for convenience.

Where a port operator or ship’s agent receives notice that there are ill persons on a vessel then:

If the suspected case is a medical emergency, call 999 for medical assistance and inform attending services that the case has originated from a COVID-19 risk area or has had contact with a confirmed case. DO NOT disembark the patient or arrange alternative transport to a hospital until advised to do so. Also ask the Harbour Master to inform the NHS Public Health (local Health Protection Team) and the Port Health Authority (the local authorities).

If the suspected case is not seriously ill, notify the relevant NHS Health Protection Team on 01595 743340, ([email protected]) or 01595 743000 out with office hours. Contact details for the case must be provided with sufficient information to allow the Health Protection Team to determine follow up action. This will include symptoms, duration, contacts and travel history. DO NOT disembark the suspected case.

Below are the contact details for submitting Maritime Declaration of Health:

Lerwick
Tel: 01595 692991
Email: [email protected]

Scalloway
Tel: 01595 744221
Email: [email protected]

Sullom Voe
Tel: 01806 244280
Email: [email protected]

Radio Channel for Harbourmaster:
Lerwick: VHF Channel 12
Scalloway: VHF Channel 14
Sullom Voe: VHF Channel 14

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at [email protected]
Source: GAC