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COVID-19 – Third Party Information

Information on this page comes from a range of key sources within our industry plus regulatory bodies. Access to this information is made available to provide support our Members in the form of official and expert advice.

In 2021 we will continue to update this page with information and resources received from a variety of sources from governing bodies, governments, trade associations and news updates. Please also view our COVID-19 News section.

You may wish to visit websites managed by these third parties for further information. When information is posted here it is highlighted as NEW and will remain as such for 7 days from the date of issue on this site.

International Organisations

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

IMO COVID-19 information resources

2021 posts:

12 Jan 2021: IMO Circular Letter No. 4202-Add.35-Rev.2 – Coronavirus Designation of Seafarers as Key Workers

2021 World Maritime ThemeSeafarers at the core of shipping future

2020 posts

Dec: IMO Circular MSC.1-Circ.1635 – Industry Recommended Framework of Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel

24 Nov: IMO Circular MSC.7/Cir.1/Rev.11 National Focus Points on Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers

05 Oct: IMO Circular Letter No 4204-Add.14 – Rev.1 – Coronavirus (Covid-19) Recommended Framework of Protocols for ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes

09 Oct: IMO Circular Letter No 4204-Add-4-Rev.2 Coronavirus Covid-19 ICS Guidance for Ship Operators for protection of health of seafarers

17 Sep: IMO Circular Letter No 4204-Add-31 Coronavirus Covid-19 Joint Statement on contribution of international trade and supply chains to sustainable socio-economic recovery

11 Sep: IMO Circular Letter No 4204-Add-30 Joint Statement calling Governments to recognize seafarers as key workers

24 Jul: IMO Circular Letter No 424-Add-25 Outcome of survey by ICS and ITF on health protection measures on board ships during COVID-19

22 Jul: IMO Circular Letter No 424-Add-19-Rev2 – Guidance for flag States regarding surveys and renewal of certificates

01 Jul: IMO Circular Letter No.4204-Add.23 – Recommendations on the prompt disembarkation of seafarers for medical care

29 Jun: Governments must act to bring seafarers home

05 Jun: IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.20 – Accelerating digitalization of maritime trade and logistics – A call to action

02 Jun: IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.19 – Guidance for flag States regarding surveys and renewals of certificates during the COVID-19 pandemic

27 May: IMO Secretary-General seeks UN support over “keyworker” designation for seafarers

26 May: Designation of key workers and facilitation of crew changes in ports and airports

07 May: IMO endorses new protocols designed to lift barriers to crew changes

06 May: Personal Protective Equipment

06 May: LATEST Add. 16 Recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

05 May: Recommendations on facilitating the movement of offshore energy sector personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic

01 Apr: IMO urges keyworker exemptions for crew changes and repatriations

UN Global Compact

05 May: Disruption of oceans supply chain

World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO page on COVID-19

World Health Organization advice on use of masks

09 Jul: Scientific brief Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions.

09 Jul: Q&A for general audience – How is COVID-19 Transmitted

Governments and Regulators

2021 posts:

Singapore – Maritime and Port Authority

Visit site for the latest updates

Latest – June 2021: Requirements for Vessels arriving from countries with sustained increased in COVID-19 cases

January 2021: Over 10,000 Frontline Maritime Personnel to Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations by end of January

Philippines – Department of Transport:

07 Jan 2021: Updated guidelines on conduct of crew changes

 

 

2020 posts:

Asian Ports

14 Oct: Annex 1 Crew Change Protocols at Asian Ports/Countries due to COVID-19

15 Sep: Asian Shipowners Association -Crew Change Protocols at Asian Ports/Countries due to COVID-19

Australia – NOPSEMA

NOPSEMA COVID-19 guidance

Australia – Government of Western Australia

11 Apr: Exemption from Govt of Western Australia – Rigs and Platforms

European Union

29 Jun: Industry Guidelines included in letter to EU Commissioner on IHM provisions of EU Ship Recycling Regulation Challenges in light of COVID19

29 Apr: Proposal to amend EU Regulation on port infrastructure charges

29 Apr: Proposal for a EU Regulation on port and ship security certificates

08 Apr: European Commission’s framework communication antitrust issues related to cooperation between competitors

08 Apr: European Commission Guidelines on protection of health, repatriation and travel arrangements for seafarers

Philippines

02 May: Letter from the Philippines government on crew changes

Singapore – Maritime and Port Authority of

22 May: Crew change update

Sri Lanka – Ministry of Health
Dec 2020: Crew changes

 

UK

10 Jul: UK HSE Letter to IMCA – Health and Safety at work act 1974

29 Jun: Letter from UK Maritime Minister on quarantine and exemptions for offshore energy personnel

11 May: Letter from UK Government to Transport operators

24 Mar: Letter from HSE – Renewable Wind Energy Sector

Guidance on Social Distancing on Public Transport

Guidance on Safer Workplaces

Associations

2021 posts:

ECSA (European Ship Owners Association)

January 2021 : Open Letter: EU Member States must enable crew changes to take place without further delays and prioritise seafarers for vaccination | ECSA

2020 posts:

ICS and ITF

07 Apr: Joint ICS and ITF Crew Change Message to G20

IADC – International Association of Drilling Contractors

COVID-19 Update

IAGC – International Association of Geophysical Contractors

Port call recommendations

Management of on-signers / off-signers_20200409_VF

ICS – International Chamber of Shipping

15 July: Crew change procedures in South Korea

28 May: V2 – Guidance for Ship Operators – Protection of Health of Seafarers

15 Apr: Governments must facilitate ship crew changes

IMHA – International Maritime Health Association

Medical Assistance to Seafarers in Ports with COVID-19

01 Apr: Testing Seafarers on COVID-19

INTERCARGO

NEW 09 Dec: INTERCARGO calls for seafarers to receive COVID-19 vaccine as a priority

IOGP – International Association of Oil & Gas Producers

30 Jun: IOGP COVID-19 Updates

28 May: IOGP-IPIECA Health Committee Statement on returning to a workplace

Social distancing on offshore helicopter flights – ALARP Factors (Rev1.1)

Nautilus International

Nautilus International – FAQs

Steamship Mutual

Stay safe onboard video

OCIMF – Oil Companies International Maritime Forum

04 May: OCIMF Impact of COVID-19 on SIRE and OVID inc FAQs

23 Apr: OCIMF COVID-19 Bulletin #8 – Guidance to Inspectors

OGUK – Oil & Gas UK

OGUK Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page

13 Apr: OGUK COVID-19 Principles for cooperation

30 Mar: OGUK: Issue 2 – COVID-19 Flowchart for movement of helicopter passengers

Workboat Association

COVID-19 Good Practice Guide