Following the COVID-19 crisis, Brazil, in addition to the rest of the countries globally, issued updates concerning North and Northeast ports and crew change proceedings.
Accordingy, in early June, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published a note providing a better interpretation on the rules regarding crew change, and relaxing the restrictions on repatriation processes.
Now, the updated note highlights that the previos note does not currently apply, by which the repatriation of seafarers depended on the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The necessity of approval became obsolete as the Ministries of Justice, Health and Infrastructure signed Ordenance 225/2020, which, making reference to the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (1958), establishes a safety protocol and relaxed the process for the crewmembers repatriation.
Yet, it is reminded that
The Federal Police and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) still need to be contacted and provided with information on the situation of the crewmembers who are to be disembarked for repatriation.
For the time being, the entrance of foreigners is proohibited both by air and water.
The exceptions apply only to those seafarers that are regarded as an essential part for supplying cities and the IMO had complained on the situation of seafares who could not leave their vessels even when their contracts had expired, because the shipping company could not change the crewmembers, as the seafarers could not enter brazilian territory.
The measures adopted continue to impact the North and Northeast of Brazil, as the restriction of the circulation of people and vehicles have side effects in the functioning of the delicated port logistics.
To learn the measures imposed in key areas click herebelow
