In terms of equipment change, Singapore provides on average about three hundred team adjustments consistent with July. These equipment settings are facilitated through the “safe runner” procedures described in the Singapore Crew Change Guide. This consultant evolved through an industry-run organization run through the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), in partnership with the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union and with the support of MPA.
Singapore has noticed 3 cases in a week, in which team members to board shipping on shipping ships conducted COVID-19 tests on arrival. This prevented affected shipping companies from making equipment changes effectively. Resources have also been put in place to isolate and minimize the likelihood of the virus spreading to others, adding other team members.
MPA is running with the industry executive organization to provide more detailed guiding on room procedures to protect the equipment replacement process, adding a desire to isolate itself while the 14-day Home Residence Notice (NHS) is met, to ensure a polymerized chain reaction check of some accuracy. (PCR) COVID-19 and direct transfers from the airport to send the team in Singapore to minimize contact.
MPA needs to urge the industry – shipowners, managers and agents – to play its component in making equipment adjustments safely. As there have been times of procedural violations that led to equipment adjustments in Singapore, MPA recently reminded shipowners, managers and officials to adhere strictly to ‘safe corridor’ procedures, adding ensure that COVID-19 tests are accurate and self- isolation while serving SHN.
MPA has also informed the industry in the past that any owner, manager or shipping agent whose team member is positive for COVID-19 while in Singapore for a replacement equipment will be suspended from any other equipment replacements for a specific period. This will give the company sufficient time to review its internal processes in order to strictly comply with the MPA’s “safe runner” equipment replacement procedures.
Given the growing number of equipment replacement requests, MPA will also want to prioritize new equipment replacement requests. These will come with equipment whose contracts have expired and the flag states are extended, singapore-registered vessels and equipment firms. See Port Marine 31 2020 in Appendix 1 for details.
As an additional precaution at the port of Singapore, all ground workers are requested to contact the ship’s equipment to wear a mask or protective goggles in addition to a mask and gloves while on the boats. In the case of vessels that have replaced equipment in more than 14 days, the group of coast-to-coast workers are requested to ensure that there is no contact with the ship’s equipment. For more details, refer to Port Marine 32 2020 to Annex 2.
MPA has recommended to all Singapore-registered vessels the most productive practices they can adopt. For example, if an on-board team is verified by COVID-19 while the ship is in port, the ship will have to wait for the effects of the control and take the mandatory action before leaving the port. Refer to Shipping Circular 14 of 2020 on the most productive practices for converting equipment into Annex 3.