Amid the crew change crisis that shipping is dealing with, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore updated its circular on crew change operations.
In fact, the circular supersedes Port Marine Circulars No. 26 and 27 of 2020; and No. 5 and 7 of 2021.
COVID-19 Pre-Departure Testing in Singapore
To remind, some countries require travellers to take a COVID-19 predeparture test (PDT) and present a valid negative test result before they are allowed to transit through or enter. Similar requirements are also imposed by some airlines before allowing travellers to board their flights.
As explained, MPA has been facilitating COVID-19 pre-departure testing for sign-off crew in Singapore on a case-by-case basis. Be reminded that MPA’s approval shall be sought for signing off crew that requires PDT in Singapore.
For crew change applications where the sign-off crew requires PDT before departing Singapore, in addition to the existing sign-off requirements as stated in paragraph 2 of this circular, the sign-off crew that require PDT in Singapore shall produce a negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken at the vessel’s last port of call before Singapore provided no crew change has been carried out in the last 21 days before the vessel’s last port of call.
The test results shall be submitted to MPA as soon as they are available and before the vessel arrives Singapore.
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However, if crew change has been carried out in the last 21 days before the vessel’s last port of call, all crew on board (i.e. not only the sign-off crew that require PDT in Singapore) shall produce a negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken at the vessel’s last port of call before Singapore.
The test results shall be submitted to MPA as soon as they are available and before the vessel arrives Singapore.
The COVID-19 PCR test should be taken as late as possible before the vessel departs its last port before heading to Singapore.
In fact, the PCR test shall be carried out by a government-approved or ISO 15189-accredited testing facility.
MPA urges ship owners/managers/agents to submit applications at least 14 days before the planned crew change, especially if the application includes sign-on crew. For foreign-flagged ships, crew change will be considered if the ship meets all prevailing requirements, and is in Singapore for cargo operations, bunkering and/or other marine services.
Tele-medicine requirements
MPA accepts fit-to-travel certificates issued by Singapore Medical Council (SMC)-fully registered doctors meeting all following requirements:
- The doctor conducting the assessment must have completed the telemedicine e-training provided by Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH). A copy of the doctor’s e-training participation statement must be submitted with the fit-to-travel certificate to MPA.
- The doctor must conduct the clinical assessment over real time video (i.e. no asynchronous video, voice calls or text will be permitted).
- The assessment of the crew should be based on the prevailing suspect case definition set out by the MOH (e.g. MOH Circular 119/2020), which includes: History taking, Self-reported symptoms, Visual assessment of symptoms and Real-time taking of temperature and Sp02 (Doctors should provide guidance on the proper use of such devices during the assessment).
- The doctor should also include, in his assessment of the crew’s general health, his consultations with the captain/senior officer and the signing-off crew lead, taking into consideration the prevailing suspect case definition.
READ MPA SINGAPORE CIRCULAR HERE
