www.TheSeaNation.gr

The BIMCO Maritime Information department informs members on a weekly basis, updates about the COVID-19 in relation to implementation measures imposed by governments for sea transport including for crew change as well as from the United Nation bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO).

BIMCO provides the following update for this week ending Friday, 19 March 2021
NEWS STORYCREW SUPPORTCORONAVIRUS - COVID-19CREW CHANGEPORTS
1. IMO
No circulars relevant to the current COVID-19 situation have been issued by the IMO during this week.
2. IMO Crew Change - National Focal Point for Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers
As of today, the countries that have informed the IMO of the above are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, the Cook Islands, Cyprus, Dominica, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu.
Reference: MSC.7/circ.1/Rev.24
Additional details available on our implementation page.
3. Government States
Azerbaijan
The State Maritime Agency advising IMO via IMO circular letter no. 4223/Add.4 granting the following extensions till 30 June 2021 :
Validity of certificates
Endorsements for recognition of certificates issued by other Governments
Seafarers Identity Documents under the terms of ILO convention no. 185
Ethiopia
Due to the on-going COVID-19 situation, the Ethiopian Maritime Affairs Authority is granting a further 6 months extension until end of September 2021 on the validity of the seafarers' certificates . Full details available via an IMO circular 4235/Add.7 dated 15 March 2021.
Iran
Via an IMO circular letter no. 4216/Add.5, the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization informed IMO of further extension of seafarers' certificates including endorsements, COCs, COPs and medical certificates until 21 September 2021.
Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on 18 March, issued an advisory to the marine and offshore sector, highlighting the updated requirements for all ships arriving at shipyards for repair, which are listed in the Singapore Economic Development Board's circular annexed to the said Advisory. The advisory on " Mandatory Precautionary Measures for Shipyards" in Annex B are to be complied strictly and all marine and offshore companies are to update their safe Management measures (SMM) via the link provided therein by today.
Turkey
Via an IMO circular letter no. 4245/Add.10, the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure advised that seafarer's seaman book, COC and other relevant certificates would be granted extension of validity of up to 30 June 2021 without any further application or approval process required.
USA
The US Coast Guard has issued Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 04-21 on "COVID-19 crew change issues", providing guidance for US and non-US mariners who may be experiencing crew change issues abroad and in US respectively. Should a mariner experience crew change challenges despite following all the required protocols, the USCG may be contacted at Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε..">Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε..
4. Others
There is no news issued under this section.