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  • The coronavirus continues to spread on a global scale.
  • With this, more ports are facing restrictions which impede their rate of trade.
  • From last week, the number of cases has increased, as more destinations face restrictions.

Country Updates

Algeria

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: No

  • Vessels coming from Italy might be detained at anchorage for 14 days prior to berthing.

Brazil  

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • No new cruise ships will be accepted until the Plan of Response to the Public Health Emergencies (ESPIN) is in force.
  • Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is working to get authorization for “humanitarian” calls for some cruise lines not authorized to call at other South American ports.
  • If any cases are confirmed, 14 days of quarantine is compulsory.
  • No ports are closed at present.

China  

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • Free Pratique will be granted, subject to all crews being in good health and the Department of Health having provided final approval of the ‘Application of Free Pratique’.
  • Immigration facilities at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal are suspended until further notice.
  • All ports are operating as normal. This includes discharge, loading, berthing and unberthing.
  • The loading and discharging processes are slower than usual, due to lack of stevedores.
  • Affected ports include Shanghai, Tianjin, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Jing Tang and Caofeidian.
  • Unaffected ports include Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Guangzhou.

Egypt

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: No

  • Marine port authorities have requested that all agents report if any vessels are expected to arrive from China, USA, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia and any other country where the virus was detected.
  • They must also apply for the vessel berthing at least four days ahead of arrival, so any special quarantine arrangements are being made for clearing the vessel at anchorage, prior to allowing it to proceed to berth.

France  

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes  

  • France is also experiencing port restrictions.
  • Like Egypt, they are monitoring where vessels have sailed from and taking any necessary quarantine measures.
  • Vessels can berth as normal if no on-board cases have been declared by the vessel’s master, however.

Germany

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • There are currently delays at ports.
  • Hamburg is no longer allowing embarkation or disembarkation of vessels from shore side.
  • Only persons who are directly involved in cargo operations, such as surveyors, loading masters and terminal workers, are permitted to embark and disembark.

India

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • Limited Free Pratique has been granted.
  • All ports have now confirmed that the vessels coming from China are subject to a mandatory 14 day quarantine.
  • There is currently no mandatory quarantine in place for ships coming from infected countries other than China.
  • All ports are open and operational with limited resource, apart from Port Redi, which is not accepting vessels.
  • Karwar port has now resumed operations.
  • No port locations have reported any operational issues.

Ireland

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Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • All ports are still in operation.
  • As of yet, there are no restrictions on any cargo vessels trading in and out of Ireland.
  • The only requirement on vessels is to submit an MDOH at least 24 hours prior to arrival and that all crew members are healthy.
  • No vessels are being placed in quarantine, regardless of their previous port of call.

Mauritius

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • At Port Louis, a protocol to service vessels that have sailed less than 14 days from the last port of call has been finalised with the Health Authorities.
  • Since 20th March, stevedores handling bulk and conventional cargoes are working up to 2100 hours.

Mozambique

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • Vessels coming to Maputo must send the following documents to the agent ahead of their arrival; these will be forwarded to all authorities.
  • They must state their last 10 ports of call, provide a full crew list with all details (including their last port of embarkation), a declaration of crew health on board and/or an MDOH.

Netherlands

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: No

  • Vessels calling at Dutch ports must submit an MDOH prior to their arrival.
  • Dutch Ports also have several vital functions that needs to be protected, like the production of energy, the processing of waste, and the supplying of drinking water.

Singapore

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: No

  • Singapore’s shipyards and marine industries look set to suspend work for a month as the Government closes all workplaces, except for those in essential services and key economic sectors, to close in the fight against COVID-19.
  • The measures are to take effect from next Tuesday (7th April) and be in place for one month until 4th May.

Spain

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: No

  • Only essential services are allowed to be on the streets.
  • You are permitted to travel if alone to purchase food, medical supplies or to go to hospital.
  • Fines of up to EUR 600 are in place for offenders disobeying the curfew.
  • Spanish ports remain open, but they are facing restrictions.

Thailand

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes   

  • Passenger vessels and other vessel types are not allowed to enter Thai waters in most circumstances now.
  • Vessels carrying key cargoes are still able to call at Thailand, but a prompt departure is required after the mission is completed.
  • They must also enter Thailand with a strict schedule of when they intend to depart.

Turkey  

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • Ships that have called at an infected country over the last 14 days must provide a full list of the crews’ body temperatures.
  • This list must be provided at least three days ahead of arrival.
  • Vessels that have come from infected countries must also be inspected by the Health Authorities before pilots can board.
  • They must ensure the bridge is disinfected before the pilots board as well.

United Arab Emirates

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: Yes

  • We have received notification that vessels arriving from Iran will not be permitted to enter any UAE ports.
  • Major shipping lines continue to operate as normal, with the usual impact of blank sailings.
  • The feeders’ services within the region have not been affected, however, rates have been impacted with equipment imbalance surcharges impacting certain trade lanes.
  • Shipping lines are currently only working on spot or FAK rates.
  • The Port and Customs Authorities continue to work as normal, so the flow of cargo has not yet been affected.

USA

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Expected Closures: No

Expected Delays: No

  • As of the 2ndApril, the Port of Anchorage in Alaska will be closed for the remainder of the week as an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Port Canaveral, Port of Palm Beach, Port Everglades and Miami are all working as normal for now, with no restrictions in place.
  • All maritime crews in Hawaii will be confined to their vessel until further notice.
  • US Customs and Border Protection will work with carriers on a case-by-case basis.
  • A labour shortage has been an issue as our labour pools are restricting workers to jobs only in the counties that they live in.

Ashwini Pai

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