1. IMO

The below circulars represent the latest information to-date from the IMO.  

• Addendum no.41  to IMO circular no. 4204 "Coronavirus (COVID-19)" issued on 18 May 2021 relating to the roadmap for vaccination of international seafarers.

• • Addendum no. 35/rev. 7  issued 20 May 2021  provides a consolidated list of the IMO members that have so far notified IMO on their designation of seafarers as key workers. The list is shown below:

2. IMO Crew Change - National Focal Point for Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers 

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  (44) 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, Greece, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 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.

3. Government States

Brazil

According to information provided by Proinde P&I, the measures mentioned on 23 June are still in place with the following addition:

Travellers with recent infection within the previous 90 days are subject to the following:

• Present two detectable RT-PCR results, with an interval of at least 14 days between them and the latter performed up to 72 hours before boarding at the airport of origin;
• Antigen test with a negative or undetectable result, after the last detectable RT-PCR report; and
• Medical report certifying that the individual is asymptomatic and fit to travel. The report must contain the intended date of travel and the name and signature of the physician.

Essentially these additional requirements will make it more difficult for recently infected to enter Brazil. 

Portugal

According to information provided by Pinto Basto, the Portuguese travel restrictions are changed with effect from 28 June through to 11 July:

• Negative PCR test required prior to entry; and 
• 14 days prophylactic confinement will be imposed on travellers from the following countries:

• Brazil
• Great Britain - unless fully vaccinated with EMA approved vaccine
• India
• Nepal
• South Africa

Russia

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation informed of a further extension of three months granted for seafarer's certificates and documents that have expired or are due to expire on or before 30 September 2021. Full details are available in an IMO circular letter no. 4237/Add.2 dated 21 June 2021. 

Slovenia

Seafarers holding certificates issued by the Republic of Slovenia which are due to expire or have already expired shall remain valid until their repatriation,  hence allowing them to continue to work legally on board  ships until the next port of call. Full details are available in an IMO circular letter no. 4396/Add.1 dated 22 June 2021.      

Ukraine

The government of Ukraine has extended the following: 

• Seafarer's certificate of competency and proficiency to 31 December 2021 including seafarer's SEA.
• Seafarer's Identity document to 31 December  2021

Full details available in an IMO circular letter no. 4232/Add.10. 

4. Others

ICMA - the International Maritime Christian Association - has shared a list of initiatives to get seafarers vaccinated. The list includes information on initiatives in the following countries:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• China
• Cyprus
• Germany
• Greece
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Malaysia
• Netherlands
• Philippines
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

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.