The issue of crew change restrictions has brought many barriers to the shipping industry and most importantly to the seafarers, with many countries now making steps to allow crew change, as Hong Kong did.
Accordingly, the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association (HKSOA) is making efforts to lobby the government to allow crew changes in one of the world’s largest hub ports have been successful.
In a statement, HKSOA commented that “The Honourable Chief Secretary has exercised his powers to approve the exemption of crew members of goods vessels, including those without cargo operations, from compulsory quarantine under Cap. 599E to undergo crew changes in Hong Kong.”
It is further stated that in comparison to other countries, Hong Kong does not implement quarantine requirements for seafarers coming to the country to join vessels.
Yet, the Hong Kong Marine Department noted that only medical surveillance would required for crew arriving by air for sign-on for cargo vessels, including OSVs.
It is added that concerning vessels entering Hong Kong for crew change and not for port operations, seafarers and the end of their contract have to stay onboard until they can be transported to the airport for repatriation to reduce contact with the local community. For seafarers incoming to Hong Kong they should immediately board the vessel.
To remind, Wilhelmsen coordinated Singapore’s first full crew change for Synergy Group, where the crew operation onboard the bulk carrier “Genco Liberty”, was performed under a new protocol developed by the Singapore Crew Change Working Group (SGCCWG).
