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SINGAPORE: The Port and Maritime Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced on Friday (August 28) a series of measures to facilitate equipment adjustments and ensure the protection of port operations, adding shorter warnings for some sailors and the status quo of a committed operation and quarantine facility for the ship’s equipment.
“This has been a difficult time for seafarers,” Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a statement through the AMP.
“They have worked tirelessly to keep the goods moving all over the world. But for reasons of fitness and protection, many have found it difficult to prevent at ports and undergo a change of equipment, which has severely affected their well-being. That’s why it’s so important. bring all stakeholders together to ensure the protection of port operations and equipment adjustments safely,” he added.
SHORTEST STAY NOTICE FOR SOME REGISTRATION EQUIPMENT
In general, all members of the signature team must be 14 days old in their home country or region before arriving in Singapore.
However, according to threat control followed by the COVID-19 Multi-Ministerial Working Group for Travellers arriving in Singapore, seafarers from low-threat countries or regions will no longer have to meet their period of stay at home or serve seven days. ‘they realize before they leave for Singapore.
Mr. Kam Soon Huat, president of the Singapore Mariners’ Organization, said: “SOS is encouraged by the fact that the MPA has taken the initiative to ensure the immediate repatriation of sailors and the recruitment of new crews on board.
“Simplified equipment replacement procedures and compromised installation for signature teams are practical answers to keeping the source chain and seafarers’ rights open.”
In addition to the apartment completion requirement, if a team member has already been diagnosed with COVID-19, the date of the first polymer network reaction check (PCR) will need to be more than 21 days from the date of departure from their cottage to Singapore.
The team member must also have a negative COVID-19 test, pass no more than 48 hours before departure to Singapore and be qualified and compatible with a doctor from their country of residence no more than 24 hours before the flight.
Finally, team members can only arrive in Singapore to sign up for shipment two days before the shipment leaves Singapore, MPA said.
THE CREW CLOSE TO STAY ON THE SHIP 2 WEEKS BEFORE DISEMBARKATION
The seafarers who sign must not have landed inside the last 14 days before disembarking from the ship. Before disembarking the ship, the equipment must also be qualified and compatible with a doctor in Singapore no more than 24 hours before disembarkation.
“In order for the equipment to continue safely, the MPA continues to expect all owners, agents, vessels and Americans to want COVID-19 prevention measures strictly followed.
“Any violation will be taken seriously,” MPA said.
Shipowners, managers or agents must request replacement of the equipment in Singapore by completing an online form on the AMP website.
For foreign-flagged vessels, equipment adjustments will be made if the vessel meets all applicable requirements and is in Singapore for shipping, refueling or other maritime services, MPA added.
NEW EXPLOITATION AND QUARANTINE FACILITIES AT TANJONG TERMINAL PAY
MPA also said on Friday that from September 1, an Autonomous Crew Facilitation Center (CFC) will be established at the Tanjong Pay terminal to facilitate additional equipment adjustments in a sustainable manner and with minimal threat to the physical condition of the general population.
Three existing floating services in the EFA will be designated as detention or quarantine services. They will space out the exclusive equipment waiting for their ships to arrive for up to 48 hours, and a quarantine facility to space out the nearby contacts of the sailors who test positive for COVID-19.
There will be a medical center on site at the center.
“During COVID-19, many ships were unable to dock at ports for disembarkation and boarding of equipment. In a Facebook post.
“A compromised area for them by cutting off the COVID-19 transmission threat on the ground,” he added.
During this time, the signature team will depart From Singapore or at the existing designated detention facilities of the Seacare Hotel or in the shipment of POSH Bawean for up to 48 hours, and will be strictly separated from the community.
As a port, many foreign-flagged ships stop in Singapore.
On 16 August, MPA told CNA that 15 members of the Philippine team travelling on a ship arriving in Singapore from India on 8 August for maintenance and refueling had tested positive for COVID-19.
The Bahamas-registered ship has 22 team members.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health reported that the Filipino sailor running in the shipment also tested positive for COVID-19.
Two technicians who boarded the ship tested positive.
MPA said on Friday that the new measures would allow the replacement team to continue safely.
“Mariners play a role in maintaining foreign industry and global supply chains and, as a result, MPA will take more steps to allow equipment to safely replace in Singapore,” he said.
Mary Liew, General Secretary of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union and President of NTUC, said: “With the new initiative of a committed equipment facilitation center that will involve separating the team into floating facilities, we will be able to implement the Crew Change Protocol in a safer way for seafarers and a more sustainable solution for shipping companies.”
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