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, 13 August 2021.
As per our BIMCO news of 12th April, the IMO has discontinued the issue of the IMO circular in series: MSC.7/circ. 1 relating to government states informing the IMO of their national focal point for crew change and repatriation of seafarers. Instead, the IMO's online Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) will be used to contain such information.
According to GISIS today, the list of countries (45) informing the IMO of their national focal point of contact for crew change and repatriation of seafarers are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Cook Islands, Cyprus, Dominica, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore (new), Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand , Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu.
Earlier reference of the MSC.7/circ.1 : our implementation page.
8 August - Border Restriction (No.11) effective 0100 Sat 8 Aug New Requirements for Specialist Workers
12 August - Western Australia Please see here for updates Covid-19 – Shipping Update Requirements, restrictions, rules and policies affecting the maritime industry at Australian ports
12 August - Circular 32/2021 Vaccines against the COVID-19 virus communicated under IMO Circular Letter No.4251/Add.3
11 August 2021 - DSG Circular No. 23 of 2021 Directorate General of Shipping Circular No. 23 of 2021 COVID and mental health helpline for Indian seafarers and their families -Initiatives by Association of Shipping Companies & Seafarers Unions.
6 August - The Portuguese Government has decided to maintain the State Calamity. On this basis and as per Ministry Council Resolution no. 7746-B/2021, please be informed of the present restrictions in force to enter/leaving Portugal.
12 August - IMO Circular Letter No.4234/Add.12 Extending the Validity of Documents for Seafarers on Board Ships
ILO - International Labour Organisation
Reminder - please refer to the ILO publication covering amongst other issues the mental and social well-being of workers - the Guidelines for implementing the occupational safety and health provisions of the MLC, 2006
UK P&I Club
6 August - Crew Changes - A Comprehensive Guide (version 1.21)
BIMCO is continuously monitoring COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on the shipping industry in particular on crew changes. Below are some of the type of information currently being provided by BIMCO :
You can also view all information on our COVID-19 landing page.
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
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