News and Updates.

Updates in 2020:

DISCLAIMER NOTICE: 
​
​The information provided here is only relevant to Singapore unless otherwise stated. The information provided herein reflects the news to the knowledge of JCI-SEABORNE (S) PTE LTD (the "Company"). The Company makes no express and/or implied warranties, conditions or representations as to the accuracy of the information provided on this page. Readers are advised to verify the information provided on this page before relying on them. The Company accepts no liability for any damage and/or loss as a result of any reliance on the information provided herein .
​

TABLE OF CONTENTS​

A) COVID-19 SINGAPORE UPDATES

1. Maritime Health Declaration
2. Precautionary Measures to minimise risk of community spread of COVID-19 in Singapore* 
3. Summary of Crew Change for Cargo Ships in the port of Singapore
4. Suspension of activities at workplace premises in the maritime sector to reduce COVID-19 transmission* 
5. Singapore border control measures in response to COVID-19

B) GENERAL UPDATES
​

1. Resolutions adopted by the 74th session of the MEPC (IMO)* ​
2. Guidelines on the medical examination of seafarers and seafarer's medical certificate* 
3. Implementation of Singapore Standard SS 648: 2019 - Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering
4. Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2019
5. ​1996 Protocol to the Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976

* indicates that topic includes sub-categories

A) COVID-19 - SINGAPORE UPDATES

(1) Maritime Health Declaration (Updated 23 March 2020 - In effect)

The information below is relevant to Harbour Craft Community, Pleasure Craft Community and the Shipping Community. 

The Port Marine Circular No.16 of 2020 ('PMC No.16 of 2020 - dated 23 March 2020)  will come into effect from 23 March 2020 at 2359 hours. Port Marine Circular No.14 of 2020 (dated 20 March 2020) will be cancelled on 23 March 2020, 2359 hours.

• As of 23:59 hours on 23 March 2020, the National Environment Agency's (Port Health Office) requires that all vessels arriving at the Port of Singapore to submit the 'Maritime Declaration of Health' to the National Environment Agency's (Port Health Office). 
• The declaration must be submitted to the National Environment Agency's (Port Health Office) 12 hours before arrival at Port of Singapore.
• As stated in PMC No.16 of 2020, the requirements in National Environment Agency's (Port Health Office) are attached in ANNEX A. The Maritime Declaration of Health form is attached in ANNEX B. All ANNEXES can be found in PMC No.16 of 2020. 
• Vessels are also advised to implement the following additional precautionary measures: (as copied from MPA's PMC No.16 of 2020):
  • Educate crew/passengers of the symptoms of COVID-2019, which are:
    • ​Fever (i.e. temperature above 37.5 degree Celcius);
    • Runny Nose;
    • Cough; and
    • Shortness of breath.
  • Carry out daily temperature checks for all crew/passengers at least twice a day;
  • Isolate unwell crew/passengers when his/her temperature is above 37.5 degree Celsius. The unwell crew/passengers should also wear a mask; and
  • Disinfect common areas and rooms in the vessel before arrival in SIngapore. The disinfection may be conducted by the ship's crew en-route to Singapore. (Vessels are advised to refer to the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of COVID-19 in Non-Healthcare Premises issued by NEA for guidance on the disinfection protocols, if needed. This is in ANNEX C ​of PMC No.16 of 2020.)
• Further enquiries can be made to the Port Health Office at 65-6222 2585. 

Note: all statements in italics are copied from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's website and particularly in Port Marine Circular No.16 of 2020 which can be read here. All such statements belong to the author and/or MPA.

(2) Precautionary measures to minimise risk of community spread of the COVID-19 disease in Singapore (Updated 23 March 2020 - In effect)

The information below is relevant to Harbour Craft Community, Pleasure Craft Community and the Shipping Community. In addition the information is contained in Port Marine Circular No.17 of 2020 (PMC No.13 of 2020) which can be found here. PMC No.17 of 2020 supersedes Port Marine Circular No.15 of 2020.

General​

• Since 24 January 2020, MPA has implemented temperature screening at all sea checkpoints, including ferry and cruise terminals, PSA terminals and Jurong Port for inbound travellers.
• MPA has also implemented the additional precautionary measures announced by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) (in MOH press release dated 22 March 2020 found in ANNEX A of PMC No.17 of 2020)  which states that all short-term visitors from anywhere in the world will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore. MPA has applied these additional precautionary measures to all vessels calling at Port of Singapore.
• However, MPA states that the Port of Singapore remains open for cargo operations and marine services including shipyard repairs.

Border Restrictions

• The following border restrictions have been implemented:
  • With the application of the additional precautionary measures, crew and passengers on short-term visits will not be allowed to disembark in Singapore for the time being. Crew change in Singapore is also disallowed for the time being.
  • Singapore has ceased port calls for all cruise vessels since 13 March 2020.
• There are also precautionary testing for symptomatic travellers at regional ferry terminals:
  • All Singapore Residents and Long Term Pass Holders entering Singapore who exhibit fever (i.e. temperature above 37.5 degree Celcius) and/or other symptoms of respiratory illness may be required to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at the regional ferry terminals, regardless of travel history. They will be issued a 14-day Stay Home Notice upon arrival. 

MPA's advice for shipping Community

• MPA also urges all crew members onboard to have their temperature taken twice daily. Guidelines are available on how to isolate crew and passengers who are unwell. For the disinfection protocols on common areas and rooms in the vessel, please refer to the National Environment Agency's website for the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of COVID-19 in Non-Healthcare Premises, and the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Premises with Transient Exposure to Confirmed Case(s) of COVID-19, if needed. 
• MPA states that if any crew or passengers are unwell, they should report the incident to the Marine Safety Control Centre at +65 6325 2488/2489. 
• MPA has issued health advisories for operators, owners, masters and persons in-charge and crew of harbor and pleasure craft, and for managers/supervisors of terminal operators, agents, contractors and service providers. Please refer to ANNEX B and ANNEX C in PMC No.17 of 2020.

MPA's advice for Singapore-Registered Vessels​

• Ship owners, managers, operators, agents and masters of Singapore-registered vessels should monitor the health of their crew closely. Masters of such vessels are required to report to their company, MPA and destination port authorities, if their crew are unwell, experience respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, runny nose, shortness of breath) or feel feverish. They should also make the necessary arrangements to seek medical attention. MPA directs all to the health advisory in ANNEX D which can be found in PMC No.17 of 2020. 

Note: all statements in italics are copied from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's website and particularly in Port Marine Circular No.17 of 2020 which can be read here. All such statements belong to the author and/or MPA.

(3) Summary of Crew Change for Cargo Ships in the port of Singapore [in effect]

The information below is relevant to the Shipping Community. 

• From 01 September 2020, MPA will consider the following circumstances for crew change applications at Singapore.​
  • Crew whose employment contract has expired;
  • Additional crew on board whose sign off will not affect the safe manning of the ship;
  • Change of crew due to sale/purchase of vessel;
  • Disembarkation of personnel not part of the ship’s crew;
  • Compassionate grounds; or
  • Medical grounds.
• In addition to the above, MPA requires the following to be adhered to or conducted to facilitate a crew change:
  
• SIGNING-ON CREW:​
  
  • a) All signing on crew are required to serve a 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN) in their originating country/region. They should be properly isolated (only one individual in that room with a dedicated toilet that does not allow interaction with any other persons including family members). This may be carried at their place of residence or a hotel/hotel-like facility.
  • b) Crew from specific countries/regions deemed low risk will either not be required to serve a SHN (Brunei or New Zealand) or serve a 7-day SHN (Australia (except Victoria State), Macao, Mainland China, Taiwan, Vietnam & Malaysia).
  • c) In addition to the above, if a crew was previously diagnosed with COVID-19, the date of the first ever positive PCR must be more than 21 days prior to the date of departure from his/her home country to Singapore.
  • d) The crew must have obtained a negative result for COVID-19 PCR Test taken at a government-approved facility or ISO15189-accreditated facility not more than 48 hours prior to the departure flight to Singapore.
    
  • e) The crew must be certified fit to travel by a doctor in his/her originating country not more than 24 hours prior to the departure flight.
    
  • f) Signing-on crew should not travel together in groups of more than 5 persons during the entire crew change process.
    
  • g) The crew shall only arrive at Singapore to join his/her ship not more than 2 days before the vessel’s departure from Singapore.
    
• SIGNING-OFF CREW:
  • a) Signing-off crew must not have had gone ashore in the last 14 days before disembarking the ship and should be medically-well throughout that period.
  • b) The crew shall be certified fit-to-travel by a doctor in Singapore not more than 24 hours before disembarking the ship.
    
• All applications for crew change from Shipowners/Shipmanagers or their local Agents must be submitted 14 days in advance before the planned exercise. Crew change by foreign-flagged vessels will be considered if the vessel meets all prevailing requirements stipulated above and if the vessel is in Singapore for cargo operations, bunkering or other marine services.

For further information, please refer to Port Marine Circular No.36 of 2020 dated 28 August 2020 for the full circular and information. The circular can be found here.

Note: The information provided above is obtained from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's website​ and particularly in Port Marine Circular No.036 of 2020. All such statements belong to the author and/or MPA.​

(4) Suspension of Activities at workplace premises in the maritime sector to reduce COVID-19 Transmission [In effect]

The information below is relevant to the Harbour Craft community, Pleasure Craft Community and Shipping Community.

The below information is found in Port Marine Circular No.20 of 2020.

• According to the Singapore Ministry of Health media release on "Additional Measures to Minimise Further Spread of COVID-19" on 03 April 2020, all business, social, or other activities that cannot be conducted through telecommuting from home will be suspended from 7 April 2020 to 4 May 2020 (inclusive). Exempted from the suspension are Essential Services and their related supply chains, as well as entities that form a part of the global supply chain.
• The Port of Singapore will remain open for cargo operators and will continue to provide essential marine services including bunkering, ship stores and ship supplies.
• Maritime-related activities will be exempted from the suspension, including:
  • a) Shipping e.g. ship operators and liner operators.
  • b) Shipping-related services e.g. ship management and ship agencies
  • c) Safety and navigation services e.g. class societies, pilotage, salvage and towage.
  • d) Port and terminal operations including construction.
  • e) Port marine services e.g. ship chandlers, bunkering, ferry services.
• Entities exempted will receive a confirmation e-mail from MPA by 3 April 2200h. Entities can also check exemption status at www.mpa.gov.sg/es_enquiry from 3 April 2200h onwards.
• Entities which wish to be exempted from the suspension should first refer to the guidance and FAQs provided by Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) at covid.gobusiness.gov.sg before submitting an application. Only entities performing or providing critical support for essential services will be exempted.

Below are the guidelines for Exempted Entities:

• For companies providing maritime-related essential services as listed above in a) - e), the following guidelines apply:
  • a) Entities that can continue to operate their business activities (in limited or full capacity) with their employees working from home must continue to do so.
  • b) For the rest of the employees who cannot work through telecommuting, employers must implement safe distancing measures to reduce physical interactions by:
    • 1) Reducing the need for and duration of physical interactions;
    • 2) Staggering working hours;
    • 3) Postponing all group events; and
    • 4) Implementing shift work and/or split team arrangements.
  • c) Entities are required to submit details of their plans to operate with enhanced safe distancing measures in place at covid.gobusiness.gov.sg by 13 April 2020. MPA also requires you to submit your manpower plans to www.mpa.gov.sg/es_submit by 13 April 2020.
• MPA expects these measures to be in place until 4 May 2020 but cautions that this may be extended if necessary.
• Non-compliance of these measures is an offence and penalties include a fine of up to SGD10,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months or both. Persons and operators who do not comply with the Regulations can receive a temporary suspension of operations.

Please refer to Port Marine Circular No.20 of 2020 dated 03 April 2020 for the full circular and information. The circular can be found here.

Note: all statements in italics are copied from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's website​ and particularly in Port Marine Circular No.020 of 2020. All such statements belong to the author and/or MPA.​

(5) Update on Border Control Measures in Response to COVID-19 [In effect]
​

• For returning Singapore residents and long-term pass holders as well as visitors to Singapore, please read ICA's latest update on Singapore's border control measures which can be found here.

 

B) GENERAL UPDATES - SINGAPORE

(1) Resolutions adopted by the 74th session of the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) (27 April 2020)

MPA has urged the shipping community to take notice of the resolutions adopted by the MEPC 74 and urges that the shipping community prepare for the implementation of these resolutions. Shipping Circular No.8 of 2020 provides a summary of the resolutions and their respective dates which they come into effect.

We have provided a short summary here.


(2) Guidelines on the medical examination of seafarers and seafarer's medical certificate (30 March 2020)

Shipping Circulars No.5 of 2020 supersedes Shipping Circular No.13 of 2013.

• MPA has adopted IMO/ILO's set of guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers. The guidelines have been published as IMO's circular STCW.7/Circular 19 which is attached in ANNEX A of Shipping Circular No.5 of 2020.
• As part of the adopted guidelines MPA has stated that:
  • 1) every seafarer working onboard Singapore Registered Ships shall hold a valid seafarer's medical certificate;
  • 2) a seafarer's medical certificate shall follow the requirements of minimum information to be provided in the certificate as set out in the STCW Convention 1978, as amended; and the medical standards set out in the IMO's circular STCW.7/Circular 19 (In ANNEX A of Shipping Circulars No.5 of 2020); and
  • 3) these standards should also meet the requirements as prescribed in the ILO's Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.

Recognition of Medical Practitioners:

• MPA accepts valid seafarer's medical certificate issued by the following medical practitioners:
  • a) Those registered medical practitioners licensed to practice in Singapore and familiar with the guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers. A list is given in the website http://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg; or
  • b) Medical practitioners recognised by an STCW State Party in the "IMO White List". Please refer to the updated revision of the IMO document MSC.1/Circ.1163/ for the latest "IMO white list, as the list is updated from time to time; or
  • c) A medical practitioner recognised by an MLC State Party and familiar with the guidelines on the medical examination and certification of seafarers; or
  • d) Any other medical practitioners that are accepted by the Director.
• Sample formats for the 'Record of Medical Examinations of Seafarer" and "Seafarer's Medical Certificate" are provided in ANNEX B and ANNEX C of Shipping Circulars No.5 of 2020.

Seafarer's Medical Certificate

• MPA states that recognised medical practitioners are required to use the format given in ANNEX C of Shipping Circulars No.5 of 2020 when issuing seafarer's medical certificates. They are also required to retain records of medical inspection of seafarers for at least 3 years.
• Seafarer's medical certificates shall be valid for not more than 2 years or not more than 1 year in the case of a seafarer under the age of 18 years. If a seafarer's medical certificate expires in the course of a voyage, then the certificate shall remain valid until the next port of call. 
• MPA states there are 3 categories of seafarer's medical certificates which may be issued to the following persons:
  • a) able to perform all duties worldwide within designated department (unlimited); or
  • b) able to perform some but not all routine and emergency duties or to work in limited area (e.g. within 30 miles from a port) (L - limited duration or R - limited job scope); or
  • c) incompatible with the reliable performance of routine and emergency duties safely or effective (Temporary or Permanent - unfit for sea service). 
• A seafarer who has been refused issuance of a seafarer's medical certificate or has a limitation imposed on the certificate can appeal to the Director of Marine for review by another independent medical practitioner.
• Ship managers and masters should ensure that seafarers are only deployed to perform duties for which they are medically fit. 
• Any queries regarding this topic should be directed to MPA (Email as provided in the circular: COC@mpa.gov.sg)

​Please refer to Shipping Circulars No.5 of 2020 dated 24 March 2020 for the full circular and information. The circular can be found here.

Note: all statements in italics are copied from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's website​ and particularly in Shipping Circulars No.5 of 2020. All such statements belong to the author and/or MPA.​


(3) Implementation of Singapore Standard SS 648: 2019 - Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering (25 February 2020)

• Starting from 1 May 2020, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore mandates Singapore Standard 648:2019 for the custody transfer of bunker deliveries to ocean-going ships in the Port of Singapore. TR 48:2015 which is the existing bunkering standard will cease to apply by end November 2020. 
• Singapore Standard SS 648:2019 is a revision of TR 48:2015 which was implemented on 1 June 2016.
• Please see Port Marine Circular No.05 of 2020 for more information which is published on MPA's website. 

(4) Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2019

• As of 1 January 2020, the amendments adopted to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) by the International Maritime Organisation at its 96th, 97th, 98th and 99th sessions will enter into force under Singapore law by way of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations 2019. Specific details of the amendments can be found here (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's Shipping Circular No.14 of 2018). News of the amendments entering into force can be found here (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular No. 13 of 2019).

(5) 1996 Protocol to the Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976

• As of 29 December 2019, Singapore has implemented the 1996 Protocol to the Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976 (LLMC 1976)

Page last updated 26 July 2020

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