UK P&I: New requirements for prevention of bedbug infestation

In particular, according to Petar Modev, Head of Ship Inspections, this circular outlines the most recent measures aimed at preventing the risk of bedbug infestations. These measures encompass mandatory disinfection and the acquisition of a certificate before the ship’s arrival in Morocco. Additionally, health officials and/or port authorities in Morocco will conduct physical infections on board ships at Moroccan anchorages.

Upon departure of the vessel from the port of origin, the ship agent must send the following documents:

• The maritime health declaration;
• The crew list;
• The list of passengers;
• The list of the 10 previous ports;
• The certificate of disinsection.

The vessel must stay at the waiting anchorage and the health officers must go to the ship, in perfect coordination with the port authorities.

The control and inspection at the waiting anchorage, including the following actions:

• The control of the documents listed above;
• The control of the medical chest on board;
• The thorough inspection of all the accommodation areas of the vessel as follows:
  • Direct visual detection: presence of moulting, eggs, larvae or adult insects
  • Indirect visual detection: bites or presence of blood stains
  • Indirect detection with the aid aof a UV lamp: dejections or blood stains

Assessment of the risk at the end of the inspection: 

• Absence of bugs
• Detection of bugs in just one bed and a perimeter 1 meter
• Detection of bugs in one bed in the room (walls and structures surrounding the bed)
• Detection of bugs in other rooms
• Detection of bugs in all the ship’s accommodation areas

Upon completion of each operation: the health officers must issue an inspection report according to the attached template, and send it to the central unit for boarder health control (DELM) and the administrative hierarchy.