1,411 words / 7 minute reading time

  • 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

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • Vessels coming from Italy might be detained on anchorage for 14 days prior to berthing.
  • At Djendjen Port, vessel disinfection is carried out before berthing.
  • The health authorities now board the vessel at anchor to check the crew.
  • No ports have closed yet.

Bahrain 

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • No vessel will be granted entry to Bahrain territorial water unless the below documents are completed and received 72 hours prior to vessel’s arrival:
    • Ship Pre-Arrival Notification, International Ship Registration Certificate, Crew List, Last 10 Ports of Call, MDOH.

Brazil

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: Yes

  • No cruise ships will be accepted until the Plan of Response to the Public Health Emergencies (ESPIN) is enforced.
  • CLIA is working to get authorization for ‘humanitarian’ calls for some cruise lines not authorized to call at other South American ports.
  • Free Pratique is being granted based on a detailed Medical Log Book checking.
  • If any on board cases are confirmed, a 14 day quarantine will be compulsory.
  • No ports have closed yet.

China

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: Yes

  • All ships must report their crew member’s health condition and body temperature on daily basis, both ahead of their arrival and during their time staying at the port.
  • A new Health Declaration Card must now be declared by every crew member.
  • Immigration facilities at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal are suspended until further notice.
  • All ports are operating as normal.
    • This includes discharging, loading and (un)berthing. The loading/discharging operation is slower than usual, however, due to lack of stevedores.
  • Affected ports include Shanghai, Tianjin, Huangpu, Lianyungang, Jing tang and Caofeidian.

Egypt  

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • The Suez Canal Economical Zone Authority and Marine Ports Authorities have requested that all agents report when 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 apply for the vessel berthing at least four days prior to its arrival as well, so any special quarantine arrangements are in place for clearing the vessel at anchorage before it berths.

France

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: Yes

  • Most ports have limited the size of their teams now.
  • Service is still in force, but it’s impossible to berth, sail or anchor between 2300hrs and 0500hrs.
  • Terminals continue to work on reducing the size of their taskforces.
  • Vessels can berth as normal if no on-board cases have been declared by the vessel’s master, however.
  • Reduced team numbers are causing delays to operations, as only the morning shift (0600-1300) is worked.

Germany

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • Ports are facing delays, due to having limited staff members.
  • All neighboring country borders closed to France, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Denmark.
  • Hamburg is no longer allowing embarkation or disembarkation of vessels from shore side.
    • This concerns: Crew Change Service Technicians, Vetting Inspectors, Suppliers and Visitors.
  • Only persons who are directly involved in cargo operations, such as surveyors, loading masters and terminal workers, are permitted to embark and disembark.

India

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: Yes

  • All Indian crew signing off at Haldia must quarantine for 14 days.
  • Ships coming from infected countries must also impose a 14-day quarantine.
  • All Ports are open and operational with limited resources, except for Port Redi, which is not accepting any vessels
  • Limited Free Pratique is granted.

Ireland

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

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

Mauritius

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: Yes

  • A protocol to service vessels calling at Port Louis that have sailed less than 14 days from the last port of call has been finalised with the Health Authorities; for further instructions, please get in touch with the agent.
  • Since 20th March, Stevedores handling bulk and conventional cargoes are working up to 2100 hrs, due to COVID-19 confinement.

Mozambique

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: Yes

  • The Master should send the following documents to the agent prior to coming to Maputo: a list of their last 10 ports of call, a full crew list and an MDOH.

Netherlands

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • Vessels calling at Dutch ports must submit an MDOH prior to their arrival.
  • The Dutch government has categorised Dutch ports as key workplaces, both for the Netherlands and for consumers and producers in the European hinterland.
  • Dutch Ports areas have several vital functions that need to be protected, such as the production of energy, the processing of waste, and the supply of drinking water.

Singapore

undefined

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 those in essential services and key economic sectors, to close in the fight against COVID-19.
  • The measures took effect on Tuesday 7th April and will be in place for one month until the 4th May.

Spain

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

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

Tanzania

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • The Port Health Authorities require vessels to send in their full crew list, ports of call and their International Maritime Health Declarations 48 hours prior to their arrival.
  • Free Practique is issued after Port Health inspections have been conducted.
  • Vessels arriving from affected countries will be quarantined for 14 days if the transit time is less than 14 days.

Thailand

undefined

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

undefined

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

undefined

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

undefined

Expected Closures: No
Expected Delays: No

  • The Port of Anchorage in Alaska was closed at the start of this month, 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.
  • In Portland, Abor shortage has been an issued as labour pools are restricting workers to jobs only in the counties that they live in.
  • APS Stevedoring Portland advised that labourers allocate a maximum of 25 people per shift. This includes drivers, so will definitely delay cargo operations.

Ashwini Pai

More from this author