BIMCO COVID 19 weekly report
Overview
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, 16th July 2021.
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.
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- 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
China
To improve ship-shore interface for all ports and crew changes in China, the Chinese government has revised via an IMO circular letter, their Guidance on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 on board, releasing their 6th version.Vanuatu
Via an IMO circular letter no 4283/Add.4, the Vanuatu government has in relation to COVID-19, issued revised policies on the 12th July pertaining to the following matters:
- Seafarers' Employment Agreement (SEA), which may be extended until 31 December 2021
- Seafarers' Documentation, with extension granted (no mention of period of extension) and to 31 December 2021 for STCW medical certificates.
- ISM/ISPS/MLC Verifications - postponement possible for audits due by 30 June 2021 to a period of not more than 90 days from due date.
- Acceptable copies of Certificates and Documents in Electronic Format
- Surveys - requests to extend surveys or remote surveys possible.
4. Others
International Christian Maritime Association
The International Christian Maritime Association offers information of COVID-19 vaccines available for seafarers by providing a global list of countries and their respective health providers.
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.
Feedback or a question about this information?
Posted:
16 July 2021
VPS Bunker Alerts
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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