The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is improving the safety measures already implemented in the port of Singapore due to the heightened risks of importing COVID-19 cases into Singapore.
Singapore facilitates averagely about 300 cases of crew change per day in July, through the ‘safe corridor’ procedures as detailed in the Singapore Crew Change Guidebook.
Yet, Singapore saw three COVID-19 cases in one week, where crew members scheduled to sign-on to ocean-going cargo ships were found to be positive upon arrival. This incident prevented shipping companies from conducting successful crew changes. Resources were also put in to isolate and minimise the probability of any spread of the virus to others including fellow crew members.
Now, the Authority is working with the industry taskforce to provide more detailed guidelines on the ‘safe-corridor’ procedures to safeguard the crew change process including the need to self-isolate while serving the 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN), to ensure accurate COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, and direct transfers from airport to ship for the crew while in Singapore to minimise contact.
In addition, MPA urges the industry – ship owners, managers and agents – to play its part to carry out safe crew changes and reminded ship owners, managers and agents to adhere strictly to the ‘safe-corridor’ procedures including ensuring accurate COVID-19 tests and compliance to self-isolation while serving SHN.
Keeping in mind that crew change applications have increased, MPA needs to prioritize crew change applications, including crew with expiry of contracts which flag States are not extending further, Singapore-registered ships, and crew sign-offs.
Additional regulations implemented in the port of Singapore include:
- All shore personnel in contact with ship crew are advised to don face shields or goggles in addition to face masks and gloves when working on the ships.
- For ships which have conducted crew change in the past 14 days, shore personnel are advised to ensure that there is no contact with the ship crew.
