1. IMO

IMO has issued the following circular:

• Addendum no. 35/rev. 4 to IMO circular letter no. 4204, issued on 5 February 2021 provides a consolidated list of the IMO members that have so far notified IMO on their designation of seafarers as key workers. The full list is available on the implementation page. 
• Addendum no.19/rev.3  to IMO circular letter no. 4204, issued on 8 February 2021 providing revised guiding principles on when to permit statutory certificate extension beyond 3 months or issuing short-term certificates. 

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, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Dominica, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu

Reference: MSC.7/circ.1/Rev.22

Additional details available on our implementation page.

3. Government States

China

China updated its Guidance on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 on board with its 5th version ( via IMO circular letter no. 4221/Add.8 dated 10 February 2021) introducing new precautionary measures for seafarers as well as prevention and control measures for ships engaged in cold chain logistics and in the container transportation of high-risk non-cold chain goods. 

Cyprus

• • No approval required from SDM for crew changes if crew members in the 14 days before their arrival were in countries belonging to categories A or B or were onboard ships  which did not dock at any port or were onboard ships that docked at ports of countries belonging to categories A or B. Crew changes would be executed with existing measures and procedures applicable to people from the two categories
  • Applications for crew changes released (signed off) discharged from merchant or other vessels should be submitted by the interested companies to the Shipping Deputy Ministry, at the email
    address crewchanges@dms.gov.cy and should include:
    
    1.Name of ship and IMO number (if applicable)
    2. Port or port facility in Cyprus
    3. Name(s) of crew member(s)
    4. Details of departure flight
    5. Location of residence in Cyprus (if applicable)
  • • No approval required for crew changes between vessels ( which do not involve the embarkation/disembarkation of any crew members). 

• For flights involving crew members, Cyprus flight pass should be obtained before boarding the plane and before arrival and crew members arriving from a country other than categories A and B, may arrange for flight pass through ship agent or ship/company representative. 

Libya

The Libyan Ports & Maritime Authority informing the IMO via a circular IMO letter no. 4380, of  the following COVID-19 measures taken:

• extension of the certificates of seafarers that would otherwise have expired during the period from 26 March and 1 October 2020 for a period of 6 months from expiry date.
• extension of seafarer's employment agreement 
• extension/postponement of ship's surveys, audits, inspection etc. 

Please refer to the said IMO circular for full details. 

Saudi Arabia

Via an IMO circular letter no. 4243/Add.1, the Saudi Arabian Transport General Authority issued circulars relating to extension of the validity of seafarer's maritime Seaman's book and medical certificate expiring on or before 15 April 2021 to 3 months from date of expiry.  

Singapore 

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore informing the IMO via a circular letter no. 4383 of their experiences to-date with regard to vaccinations for key maritime personnel. 

Sweden

Effective 6 February 2021, the requirement to present a negative covid-19 test result is not applicable to seafarers. Full details are available on the Swedish Police Authority page. Note that decision in each case is made upon arrival at the border control point hence no pre-approvals or written notification will be issued. In addition, questions and answers about the Swedish entry ban can be found here ( ref: IMO circular letter no. 4245/Add.8) 

USA

The US Coast Guard issued mandatory mask requirement via an MSIB 02-21 on COVID-19 Safety Requirements in the Maritime Transportation System requiring all persons travelling on all commercial vessels to wear a mask, failing which, a Captain of the Port (COTP) order may be issued directing the vessel’s movement and operations and repeated failure to impose the mask mandate could result in civil penalties and/or criminal action. To understand the implementation better, see Coast Guard Maritime Commons for guidance. 

For further details on additional countries, please refer to our implementation page.

4. Others 

The UK P&I club updated its comprehensive guide " Global Crew Change Advice" (version 1.9 dated 11 February 2021) offering details relating to crew changes at most coastal states. A complete listing of their updates is available here. 

5. BIMCO

BIMCO General COVID-19 Links 

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 :

• Details about implementation measures imposed for sea transport
• Overview of challenges to crew mobility
• Overview of extensions and exceptions to seafarers' certificates
• COVID-19 seafarers' mental health

You can also view all information on our COVID-19 landing page.