Global port restrictions due to coronavirus

Following the coronavirus outbreak, two online maps have been already launched, presenting the development of the virus, while Wilhelmsen launched its own online tool providing the global port restrictions, easing the shipping industry.

Specifically, the map includes the port restrictions that have been issued by countries on a global scale. By clicking on each port or country in the map below, one can see an overview of port restrictions and guidelines.

North America

Canada

• To reduce and/or eliminate the risk or spreading illness, we ask that the vessel Master or agent reports to APA Dispatch the potential hazard of a symptomatic crew member(s) or passenger(s) at the time of Ordering a Pilot for an arrival or departure. By reporting, this as a potential hazard in a timely manner, our Pilots and pilot boat crew can ensure the appropriate precautions are taken.
• Until Health Canada declares this matter to no longer be an imminent concern, this protocol will remain in place and we ask our stakeholders for your cooperation to ensure the health and safety of our personnel and the greater community. A notice will be posted when the temporary protocol is no longer required.
• To reduce and/or eliminate the risk or spreading illness, we ask that the vessel Master or agent reports to APA Dispatch the potential hazard of a symptomatic crew member(s) or passenger(s) at the time of Ordering a Pilot for an arrival or departure. By reporting, this as a potential hazard in a timely manner, our Pilots and pilot boat crew can ensure the appropriate precautions are taken.
• Foreign flagged ships are to pay particular attention to ensuring that all required components of the 96 and 24 Hour Pre-arrival inspection report are completed in accordance with section 221 of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR).
• Vessel masters with crew members and passengers symptomatic of the Coronavirus are to advise Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security following transmission of the 96 hour PAIR and Transport Canada Marine Security Inspectors will advise Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) officials who will follow up directly with the vessel.

USA

• Passenger vessels or any vessel carrying passengers that have been to China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked passengers who have been in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States. If all passengers exceed 14 days since being in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) and are symptom free, the vessel will be permitted to enter the United States to conduct normal operations.
• Non-passenger commercial vessels that have been to China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked crew members who have been in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days, with no sick crew members, will be permitted to enter the U.S. and conduct normal operations, with restrictions. Crew members on these vessels will be required under COTP authority to remain aboard the vessel except to conduct specific activities directly related to vessel cargo or provisioning operations.
• The Coast Guard considers it a hazardous condition under 33 CFR 160.216 if a crewmember who was in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the past 14 days is brought onboard the vessel during transit. This requires immediate notification to the nearest Coast Guard Captain of the Port.
• Per 42 CFR 71.21, vessels destined for a U.S. port are required to report to the CDC any sick or deceased crew/passengers during the 15 days prior to arrival at a U.S. port.

South America

Panama

• It is imperative that vessels arriving at Panama Canal waters, for port calls or transit, after having called at ports located in any of these countries (China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Germany, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, United States of America, France, and Australia.), or any other country with confirmed cases of the virus, and having identified any suspected case on board demonstrating any of the above-mentioned symptoms, report this condition through the Panama Maritime Single Window (VUMPA), within 30 days prior to their arrival.

Colombia

• Precautions will be taken for vessels calling direct from China pending on master reports.
• Colombian port authorities do require to report all crew changes in advance, If they are Chinese, they must have the crew carry a medical report (resent) with them and preferably in English. State health dept. will be informed by agents to all internationals airports and seafarer will be observed during their transfer.
• All crew while at port, must wear mask, gloves inside forecastle and on deck.

Brazil

• For vessels that called China within last 30 days, Medical Logbook is being required before issuing Radio Free Pratique. Further to that, MDH – Maritime Health Declaration – must be marked with “”YES”” in the item: Has ship/vessel visited an affected area identified by the World Health Organization?
• In case of suspicion of 2019-nCoV on the vessel, “Radio Free Pratique” will not be granted, the issuance of Free Practice will happen after health inspection carried out on board (Specific berth/place of inspection will be determined by health authorities). No crew members will be allowed to leave the vessel, as well as no port workers will be able to access the ship until the results of the tests are obtained. In symptoms confirmed, contingency plan will be activated, and crew member possibly removed to a hospital designed by Port Health.
• All port workers accessing vessels must use PPE (mask/gloves/etc), which cannot be re-used.
• As China is not signatory of ILO 185 and 108, a large quantity of ports in Brazil does not accept any sign on or off – It basically depends on local authority discretion. Even local port authority allowing the crew change or transit crew, this remain subject to clearance from the health authorities at the airport as well. Please find below recommendation from ANVISA for all travelers coming to Brazil: “If you feel sick and present fever, cough, or difficulty of breathing, and have traveled to China in the last 14 days, you should seek medical care and tell health professionals about your recent travel and your symptoms. If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty of breathing, adopt the following measures to avoid the spread of diseases: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing, avoid being in crowded or closed places. Do not share personal belongings such as cutlery, plates, glasses or bottles. Seek medical care if you had any symptoms and tell about your trip.” 

Uruguay

• To ships that have been in China ports, it’s important that it be specified when it was in China for the last time and request medical report of crew members on board.
• When ship transports Chinese crew/passengers or they have embarked in China, it is important that it is specified when it was in China for the last time and request medical report of the crew members.

Argentina

• No restrictions, however Argentinian Sanitary authorities announced that whenever a vessel comes from China or even if the vessel has called China during last call, then sanitary authorities request previous 48 hrs of medical logbook report, as well as last temperature report of each crew member 24 hours prior to vessel arrival at loading /discharging port.
• In order to grant vessel free pratique, vessels coming from China or even called China during previous calls must submit previous 48 hrs of medical logbook report, as well as last temperature report of each crew member 24 hours prior to vessel arrival at loading /discharging port.

Europe

Norway

Master shall notify relevant authorities of cases of illness indicative of an infectious disease or evidence of a public health risk on board.

UK

• Currently no restriction on Chinese vessels entering ports, however the local Port Health Authority must receive crew list, crew change information and a Maritime Declaration of Health in advance of arrival.
• Cornwall Port: Restrictions on vessels whose previous port call was China; All vessels submit an MDH to regulatory authorities so clearly this will be under more scrutiny in terms of health on board vessel, equally declarations of previous ports of call will all be considered; Tees VTS are asking that the Health poster be sent to arriving vessels.

France

• Check the 10 last ports is ISPS sent by Masters with prearrival documents.
• If vessels called China, then they request the attached Health Declaration which we systematically ask to Masters as part of the prearrival procedure
• If there is a case of crew with fever, then Harbour Master is contacting specialized medical Center who will instruct isolation measures to be taken.
• If there is no case declared by Master, then vessel can berth normally ( the voyage duration from China being higher than 14days -the virus incubation time)

Spain

• In this sense, in the event that it is known that there is a person in a ship from the affected area who has a clinic that might suspect the disease, the External Health Service should be contacted to assess the situation and apply the corresponding measures in each case.
• Maritime health declaration to be issued by master upon arrival and to be uploaded by Port web application who will inform Sanitary authority.

Italy

• All vessels calling at Italian ports irrespective of the previous port of call must apply to Port Sanitary Office and ask for Sanitary Freepratique. The said request for Sanitary Freepratique must include: Maritime declaration of health; copy of SSECC; passenger list and crew list; list of the port of calls during the previous 14 days. Request for Sanitary Freepratique must be sent to Port Sanitary office not before 6 hrs prior arrival in the port. Master will have to advise about any change of sanitary situation on board after release of sanitary freepratique, and also during the port stay and until the vessel will leave the port. After receipt of the mentioned document Port Sanitary Office will advise whether additional documents will be necessary. If necessary Harbor Master will grant the necessary support. After the evaluation of the request for Sanitary Freepratique, on the base of the vessel’s characteristics/details, total number of persons on board, passenger and crew embarked and disembarked, previous ports of call, and any other aspects might reflect the risk for the health of the public health, Port Sanitary office will evaluate whether to grant the Sanitary Freepratique by radio or upon vessel’s boarding. From the said rules are excluded the port services craft, only in case during the navigation the craft has not embarked anybody or attended any search&rescue operation.

Greece

• In case that a crew member shows symptoms of pneumonia or any kind of respiratory infection, it should be mentioned to “Maritime declaration of health”and then after to be reported to local Hygiene authorities at least 48 hrs prior vessel’s arrival.

Cyprus

• Every vessel before arrival at Limassol anchorage must inform authorities if anyone from the crew/pax visited China or had contact with anyone from China.
• The Master must interview all crew members / persons on board and find out if anyone arrived from China or had contact with anyone from China. In such a case, the Master must complete and sign/ stamp the traveller’s questionnaire and send it to the agent in order to enter it in the PCS system. The medical authorities will then give us instructions how to handle this case.

Asia

Turkey

• Restrictions on vessels whose previous port call was China.
• Turkish Sanitary authority just made an announcement that all vsls who comes from a Chinese port on their last 10 port of call should add a line into crew list and obliged to declare the temperature of the crew on board and declare any disease on board on their Maritime Health declaration. If the vsls called a Chinese port, the sanitary officer will board the vsl in free pratique and check the temperature of the crew and other authorities can board the vsl after having Free pratique. That may slightly delay the vsls on berthing ops.
• If the found any risk on board the free pratique will not be performed and vsl will be quarantine. There are regional dedicated hospitals to check the corona virus symptoms and perform treatment that risked found patients can only be transferred them with high precautions.

Sri Lanka

• If the vessel has called a Chinese port within 14 days of arrival to take on any services from the ports of Sri Lanka more documentation has to be produced including:

1. Last 10 port call list
2. maritime health declaration form completed for disembarking/embarking crew
3. Masters declaration of vessel status letter & Health status report
4. Chinese port details/Stayed days/and confirmation if crew made any connection with shore
5. Full crew list
6. Vessel particulars

India

• All vessels calling from China are subject to compulsorily PHO boarding and clearance prior berthing in Indian Ports.
• Master has to record and report the temperatures of the seamen on a regular basis which needs to be informed to authorities.
• Existing visas (including eVisa already issued) are no longer valid for any foreign national travelling from China.
• People have already been advised to refrain from travel to China through an earlier advisory. People traveling to China henceforth will be quarantined on return.

Thailand

• Signed on crew will be thermo-scanned at the airport and may be quarantined if they have a fever.

Malaysia

• If the ship is from China or there is a suspected case, ship will be given quarantine status and to be anchored at the wharf.
• Medical Officer / AEHO will go on board and verify the health status of passengers or crew from China from the Captain / Medical Officer on board. The team must also request for report of measures taken onboard, maritime declaration of health and other relevant documents.
• Temperature screening of passengers and crew who disembark is carried out by the Medical Team. Passengers and crew with PUI of 2019 – nCoV Infection will be referred to the nearest health facility for management and investigations.
• Free Pratique and Port Health Clearance will be issued to the Captain or Shipping Agent if the ship has good sanitary condition and as Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) still valid.
• Order of Ship Sanitation (OSS) will be issued to the Captain or Shipping Agent should there be unsatisfactory sanitary condition. Reinspection will be done by AEHO and Free Pratique and Port Health Clearance will be issued to the Captain or Shipping Agent if the Order of Ship Sanitation is complied.
• If there any Chinese crew on board vessel, then Screening Procedure must be performed for all crew.

Singapore

• The National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Port Health requires all arriving vessels with crew and passengers that have called at ports in mainland China in the past 14 days to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form.
• All new visitors with recent travel history to China within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore, or to transit through Singapore.
• The immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) will suspend the issuance of all forms of new visas to those with PRC passports. We will also suspend Singapore’s status as a visa-free facility for those with PRC passports.
• Previously issued short-term and multiple-visit areas for those with PRC passports will also be suspended. During this period of suspension, they will not be allowed entry into Singapore.

Indonesia 

• Immigration will reject all applications for VOA, Visiting visa and Joinship visa and VOA for All of the People’s Republic of China citizen. Immigration will reject all applications for VOA, Visiting visa and Joinship visa to Foreigners who have lived and / or visited the territory of the People’s Republic of China within 14 (fourteen) days before the application is submitted.
• Foreigners are not permitted to enter the Indonesian Territory if they have lived and / or visited the territory of the People’s Republic of China within 14 (fourteen) days before entering the Indonesian Territory by checking the last departure date of the People’s Republic of China.

Philippines

• Shore pass/ Family visitation is temporary not allowed for those vessels which came from China/affected countries (those below 14 days from their departure to an affected port) in all ports as reflected in their port of call and to limit unnecessary contact with port operators.
• All cruise ships with passengers, regardless of nationality, who, within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, has been to China and its SARs are not allowed to dock at any Philippine Port.
• Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine government, directly coming from China and its Special administrative regions.
• Temporarily banning the entry of any person, regardless of nationality, except Filipino citizens and holders of Permanent Resident Visa issued by the Philippine government, who within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, has been to China and its Special Administrative Regions.
• Temporary ban on Filippinos from travel to China and its Special Administrative Regions.
• No shore passes and disembarkation clearance shall be granted to any crew or passenger onboard a vessel, regardless of nationality, who within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines has been to China and its SARs.

Hong Kong

• In case the crew on board the vessel has got fever or any symptoms associated with Pneumonia, the ships master has to inform quarantine official via agent before vessel arrival.
• Requiring all people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland to be placed under mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
• Cannot arrange Chinese crew change at Hong Kong. Chinese technician, superintendent, surveyor etc could not attend vessel at Hong Kong. Any person who will join ship at Hong Kong from China will not be allowed.

South Korea

All vessels sailed out from Chinese port or have called any Chinese port for the past 14 days requires onboard quarantine inspection. Free pratique will only be granted after passing the inspection.

The following crew/passenger are restricted to enter Korea:

• All Chinese seafarers with passport issued in Hubei province is prohibited to enter Korea.
• All valid Korean visa issued in Hubei province has temporarily lost its effect until further notice.
• All foreigners that have visited Hubei province in the past 14 days is prohibited to enter Korea.
• All foreigners transit without visa to Jeju Island in Korea has temporarily lost its effect.

Japan

From 1st February 2020, the following people are not permitted to enter Japan for the time being unless there are exceptional circumstances:

• Foreigners who have travelled to Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China within 14 days before arriving Japan.
• Foreigners who have Chinese passports issued by Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China.

Australia

For Commercial Vessels that departed mainland China prior to 1 February 2020:

• Standard Biosecurity requirements and restrictions will apply. You must still identify any ill traveller or member of the crew as part of your pre-arrival report For Commercial Vessels that departed mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 and arrive within 14 days of last port being in mainland China
• All crew will be restricted on-board while the vessel is berthed in Australia.
• Crew are only able to disembark to conduct essential vessel functions and crew must wear personal protective equipment while performing these functions.
• The restrictions above apply until 14 days has elapsed since the vessel or any person on board left mainland China.

For Commercial Vessels with crew joining from mainland China:

• Where a commercial vessel has crew joining the vessel and that crew have travelled to or transited through mainland China on or since 1 February 2020, all crew are to remain on board the vessel.
• Crew are only able to disembark to conduct essential vessel functions and crew must wear personal protective equipment while performing these functions.
• The restrictions above apply until 14 days has elapsed since the vessel or any person on board left mainland China.

New Zealand

• Cruise vessels with passengers who have joined within 14 days of being in mainland China asked for passengers to begin self-isolation while on board.
• Passengers from mainland China within 14 days will be managed as for airline passengers. Implementing additional border measures to deny entry into New Zealand to people who have left or transited through mainland China from 2 February 2020, with the exception of: New Zealand citizens (including those from the three Countries of the Realm: Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands), permanent residents and their immediate family.