Britannia Club’s correspondents in China informed about the latest updates on COVID-19 restrictions currently in place in ports around the country.
As a result of China’s dynamic zero-covid policy, the relevant control restrictions at Chinese ports are still in place, which have been further enhanced recently due to regional outbreaks.
#1 Dalian
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
No, except attendance on board ships at shipyards subject to quarantine requirements.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
Not feasible for the time being, but it may improve with development of local epidemic control situation. The application is usually considered case by case.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
An international sailing vessel needs to submit the crew health check form to the customs before getting berthed. Generally, if the vessel has changed crew within 14 days before arrival, the customs will conduct PCR test to the crew.
If the test results are negative, then the vessel can proceed with cargo operation normally.
If the test results show any of the crew members is positive, there are following possibilities:
- A vessel in ballast condition scheduled to load cargo here will be persuaded to sail away.
- A vessel loaded with cargo scheduled to unload them here may or may not be allowed to conduct cargo operation, depending on the circumstances.
- A vessel carrying crude oil or LNG may be allowed to discharge on condition of contactless operation while the positive crewmembers are quarantined on board.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
If a vessel arrives in ballast condition scheduled to load cargo or conduct repair work here, positive crew members can hardly disembark.
If a vessel arrives to discharge cargo, it is likely that the disembarkation application of positive crewmembers can be approved.
#2 Dandong
Is Whether surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
No.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
No.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
An international sailing vessel needs to submit the crew health check form to the customs before getting berthed. All international sailing vessels need to receive PCR test to the crew. If the last port of call is a Chinese port, the PCR test will be arranged by local health authorities; if the last port of call is a foreign port, the PCR test will be arranged by the local health authorities and the local customs jointly.
If the test results show any of the crew members is positive, the decision is made on a case by case basis, and it is likely that discharge operation may be arranged under strict epidemic control conditions.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
Generally, foreign crew members who are tested positive are not allowed to disembark. Positive Chinese crew members may be allowed to disembark, depending on the circumstances.
#3 Tianjin
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
Surveyors can apply to board the vessel, but will be subject to 14-21 days quarantine afterwards.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
Foreign crew members can be signed off after application, if the relevant conditions are met and necessary procedures followed.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
Different terminals apply different control measures. There may be quarantine measures for vessels that have had crew change within 14 days, but this doesn’t apply to all ships or all terminals.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
Positive crew members can disembark at application.
#4 Qingdao
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
No, except the surveyors that are in the closed circuit quarantine management of the port.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
Foreign crew members can be signed off subject to the local authorities’ approval.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
The following vessels will receive PCR test to the crew upon berthing: (1) vessels that have had crew change within 14 days in a foreign port; (2) vessels that have had crew change in the last foreign port of call; (3) vessels that have called India within 21 days or have crew members on board who have travel history in India.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
Positive Chinese crew members can disembark. Foreign crew members who are positive may be allowed to disembark too subject to necessary approval procedures.
#5 Guangzhou
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
Application is need and surveyors are subject to quarantine afterwards.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
No.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
If a vessel has changed crew in a foreign port of call within 14 days before arrival, the local customs will conduct PCR test to the crew.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
Positive crew members may be allowed to disembark after application.
#6 Shanghai and ports on Yangtze River
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
No, except vessels in some shipyards who may allow surveyors to board subject to PCR test reports. Furthermore, cities such as Shanghai, Taicang and Jiangyin are currently in full or partial lockdown, therefore, even a survey without the need to board the ship may be difficult to arrange due to traffic restrictions and personnel movement restrictions.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes. However, as mentioned above, some cities are in full or partial lockdown, so even if the general policy allows change of crew, it may be impossible to arrange in practice currently.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
Signing off of foreign crew members was possible in Shanghai, but is currently impossible due to lockdown of the whole city. Signing off of foreign crew members is not allowed in the ports on Yangtze River.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
Zhenjiang: PCR test may be arranged to the crew upon berthing.
Changzhou: Vessels that have called any high risk country within 21 days or have any crew member that has travel history to any high risk country within 21 days are suggested to wait in the anchorage until 21 days has elapsed since such call or travel before she gets berthed.
Jiangyin: Vessels arriving for cargo operation from a high risk country needs to wait until 14 days have elapsed before she can get berthed. Vessels arriving for ship repair from a high risk country needs to wait until 28 days have elapsed before she can get berthed.
Taicang: Vessels arriving from high risk countries or having had crew change in the last foreign port of call need to receive PCR tests to the whole crew.
Changshu: Vessels have called high risk countries within 21 days or have arranged crew change in a foreign port within 14 days need to receive PCR test to the whole crew.
Nantong: Vessels that have called high risk countries within 14 days need to receive PCR test to the whole crew.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
Positive Chinese crew members are allowed to disembark. For positive foreign crew members, ports such as Nanjing, Zhangjiagang and Nantong may allow the crew members to disembark for quarantine and treatment. Generally the decision is made on case by case basis.
#7 Ningbo
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
No, except the surveyors who are in the closed circuit quarantine management of the port.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
No.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
If a vessel has changed crew in a foreign country within 14 days before arrival, PCR tests will be arranged to the crew members who have newly joined the ship. If there is crew member who has recent infection history though tested negative now, or crew member who has shown symptoms of fever or coughing, the customs may arrange PCR test to the crew.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
If positive crew members are detected on a container ship or bulk ship, the port authorities may refuse the ship to conduct any cargo operation and ask her to sail away for crew change in a foreign port after which she can return for cargo operation. For chemical tankers, if positive crew members are found after berthing, contactless cargo operation may be permitted, but if positive crew members are found before berthing, the ship’s berthing application may be rejected.
#8 Xiamen
Is surveyors’ attendance on board allowed?
No.
Is change of Chinese crew members allowed?
Yes.
Is change of foreign crew members allowed?
No.
Latest epidemic control policy on vessels calling the port
The local policy is considered on a case by case basis.
Can positive crewmembers disembark?
Positive crew members should be disembarked before cargo operation can commence.
