UK Club launches Global Crew Change Advice manual

The UK P&I Club, a leading provider of P&I insurance and other services to the international shipping community, has launched ‘Global Crew Change Advice’, a comprehensive manual that outlines current challenges and issues regarding crew changes in ports throughout the world. An A-Z compendium of global ports, from Albania to Yemen, it is thought no other Club has such an exhaustive document.

The UK Club worked with over 200 of its correspondents global network to produce the easy to navigate 130 page document, which is structured to answer four basic questions. For example, in Kuwait, the questions and answers are as follows:

· Q: Are routine crew changes permitted in your port?

A: As of now, crew changes are temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the commercial ports of Shuwaikh and Shuaiba. However, sign off is permitted at KPC terminals Mina Al Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah.

· Q: If crew changes are allowed, are there any restrictions in doing so? (e.g. mandatory Covid-19 tests or quarantine requirements)

A: The crew will be taken directly from the ship to the airport. No tests are conducted and there is no quarantine period.

· Q: Are crewmembers who are either sick or injured permitted to be disembarked in your port?

A: Yes, subject to approval by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior.

· Q: If crewmembers are allowed to disembark, are there any restrictions in doing so? (e.g. mandatory Covid-19 tests or quarantine requirements)

A: Disembarking is subject to mandatory Covid-19 tests, and there is also a 14 days quarantine period.

Andrew Taylor, Chief Executive, UK P&I Club, said: “Constantly shifting global and regional restrictions during the pandemic can play havoc with logistics and planning. Our Global Crew Change Advice manual is an important document for Members and we believe this is the most comprehensive A-Z index of how ports around the world deal with crew changes in the current pandemic environment. The document will be updated regularly when the situation changes and the Club hopes Members will find it invaluable when liaising with charterers and local agents for planning crew changes.”

Source: UK P&I Club