News and Updates.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE: 
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​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 .
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TABLE OF CONTENTS​

A) COVID-19 UPDATES (PORT OF SINGAPORE)

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. Requirements for vessels arriving in Port of Singapore during COVID-19 
5. Singapore border control measures in response to COVID-19

B) GENERAL UPDATES - PORT OF SINGAPORE
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1. Notice of Wreck - 11 May 2021
2. Reporting procedures for vessels manoeuvring in the Port of Singapore
3. Vessels at anchor in port
4. Resolutions adopted by the 74th session of the MEPC (IMO)* ​
5. Guidelines on the medical examination of seafarers and seafarer's medical certificate* 
6. Implementation of Singapore Standard SS 648: 2019 - Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering
7. Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2019
8. ​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.
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(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] - PMC 14/2021 Link

The information below is relevant to the Shipping Community. 

• MPA will continue the request for crew change at Singapore under the following circumstances:
  • 1) Crew whose employment contracts have expired;
  • 2) Additional crew on board whose sign-off would not affect the safe manning of the ship;
  • 3) Change of crew due to the sale/purchase of the ship;
  • 4) Personnel who are not part of the ship’s crew;
  • 5) Compassionate grounds;
  • 6) Crew is no longer medically fit to work aboard the ship.

Requirements for signing-on crew:

• Signing-on crew are required to serve a 21 day stay-home-notice (SHN) in the crew’s originating country/region in the period immediately prior to his/her departure to Singapore. The signing-on crew should be completely isolated in a room with a dedicated toilet and should strictly refrain from interaction with other individuals, including family members. If this is not possible the signing on crew should serve his/her SHN at a dedicated SHN facility.
• Crew from specific low risk countries/regions will not be required to serve an SHN or will only be required to serve a shorter SHN (7-days) in the crew’s originating country/region. Please refer to this link for the latest list of low-risk countries or regions.
• All signing-on crew must produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken at a Government-approved or ISO15189-accredited facility not more than 72 hours prior to departure for Singapore.
• Crew must obtain a fit-to-travel certification from a doctor at his/her originating country not more than 24 hours before departure to Singapore.
• During the crew change process (including journey to Singapore), the crew should not be in a group of more than 5 persons and must remain in the same group. Groups should not interact.
• The signing-on crew should only join his/her ship not more than 2 days before the date of the ship's final departure from Singapore. For ships departing for sea trial and returning to Singapore, the date of departure for sea trial will not be considered the date of the ship's final departure.
• The crew shall only join the vessel at Singapore only after all high-risk shore-based personnel have completed their work on board and have disembarked from the vessel.
• Meet and greet services must be arranged for sign on crew arriving at Changi Airport to escort the crew from the moment they disembark from the plane to the point where they are handed over to the agent for the direct transfer to the ship or designated holding facility.
• Crew who have recovered from COVID-19 must submit documentary proof of his/her past diagnosis of COVID-19 based on the earliest positive PCR test result. If the date of the positive PCR test is 21 days or fewer before the date of arrival in Singapore, he/she will not be approved for crew change. If the date of positive PCR test result is more than 21 days before the date of arrival in Singapore, he/she shall comply with the above sign on requirements.

Requirements for signing-off crew:

• The crew must not have gone ashore in the last 21 days before disembarking the ship and must have remained well and not have had any contact with any known or suspected case of COVID-19 throughout that period.
• The crew must refrain from interacting with shore-based personnel at previous ports of call in the last 21 days.
• Crew must be certified fit-to-travel by a doctor in Singapore not more than 24 hours before disembarking the ship. Tele-medicine can be used to obtain a fit-to-travel assessment and certification (must be issued by fully registered doctors with the Singapore Medical Council, meeting the requirements in Annex A of PMC 14/21)
• Crew subjected to serology test shall remain aboard until production of a negative COVID-19 serology test result.

The sign-on or sign-off crew may stay at a designated holding facilities for up to 72 hours. 
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CrewSafe Accredited Facility

A CrewSafe audit programme which endeavours to assist crew source nations to bring a higher level of confidence and quality control checks into the crew change processes has been developed by the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience Fund Taskforce.

Sign-on crew who undergo the protocol under these CrewSafe accredited facilities located overseas, may be given the following concessions in relation to the crew change application:

1. Submission of crew change application must be made at least 7 days in advance, instead of 21 days.
2. If a sign-on crew undergoing the CrewSafe protocol is cancelled, direct replacement for this crew will be allowed if the replacement has been undergoing CrewSafe protocol for the same required duration, instead of having to re-submit a new application to re-start the process.
3. At Singapore, a sign-on crew who had undergone the CrewSafe protocol may stay at designated holding facilities for up to 5 days (instead of 3), if required.

Holding Areas at Disembarkation Points

Crew utilising Marina South Pier or West Coast Pier shall remain at the designated holding areas while waiting for immigration clearance. If the holding areas are full, the crew shall remain in their private transportation. For sign-off crew, their private transportation shall be ready and waiting so that the crew may depart from the pier as soon as immigration is cleared to prevent crowding of the holding areas. The Agent/s and/or Driver/s are responsible for ensuring that the crew remain in their holding area or private vehicles at all times. The crew should not be found loitering outside the holding area or interacting with the general public.

Precautionary Measures for crew during flights

Individuals are recommended to don the full personal protective equipment (including gown, N95 Mask and gloves) when travelling to Singapore on any flights.

COVID-19 Pre-Departure Testing in Singapore

MPA has been facilitating COVID-19 pre-departure testing for sign-off crew in Singapore on a case by case basis. MPA's approval must be sought for signing-off crew to take a PDT in Singapore. For crew change application where the sign-off crew requires PDT before departing Singapore, in addition to the existing sign-off requirements as stated above, the sign-off crew that require PDT in Singapore shall produce a negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken at the vessel's last port of call before Singapore, provided no crew change has been carried out in the last 21 days before the vessel's last port of call. The test results should be submitted to MPA as soon as they are available and before the vessel arrives in Singapore.

If a crew change has been carried out in the last 21 days before the vessel's last port of call, all crew on board, shall produce a negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken at the vessel's last port of call before Singapore. The test results shall be submitted to MPA as soon as they are available and before the vessel's arrival at Singapore.

The COVID-19 PCR tests should be taken as close to the time of the vessel's departure from its last port as possible before heading to Singapore. The COVID-19 PCR test shall be carried out by a government-approved or ISO 15189-accredited facility.
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Shipowners/Managers/Agents should submit crew change applications at 21 days before the planned crew change (especially if sign-on crew are involved). Crew-change for foreign-flagged vessels will be considered if the vessel meets all the prevailing requirements stipulated by MPA and is in Singapore for cargo operations, bunkering and/or other marine services. Application for crew change can be made at this link.

PMC 15/2021 - Prohibition of Crew Change for Crew with recent travel history to the South Asian countries

All long-term and short-term pass visitors with recent travel history (including transit) to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the last 21 days, will not be allowed entry or allowed to transit through Singapore.

In line with the above, crew change involving (1) crew with recent travel history to the above-mentioned South Asian countries within the last 21 days preceding arrival at Singapore (includes sign-on crew travelling by flight to Singapore and sign-off crew from vessels that had called at ports in the above-mentioned South Asian countries) and (2) sign-on crew transiting the above-mentioned South Asian countries on connecting flights to Singapore, will no longer be allowed, effective 2359 Hours from 07 May 2021.

(4) Requirements for vessels arriving in Port of Singapore during COVID-19 [In effect]

​Owners, Agents and Masters of vessels arriving in the Port of Singapore are reminded of their responsibility to implement and comply with all the requirements and measures of the Singapore authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in Singapore, with particular emphasis on the safe management measures applicable to vessels in the Port of Singapore.

Owners, Agents and Masters of vessels must ensure that all maritime operations are carried out contactless or contactless with segregation protocol in place.

• Contactless operations means no boarding of the vessel by any person other than MPA-licensed harbour Pilots, authorised government officers and persons approved by the Port Master of MPA.
• Contactless operation with segregation means that enhanced safe management measures must be instituted by the vessel to minimise interaction between the vessel's crew and shore-based personnel.

Where the vessel arriving at Singapore had last called at a port in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka in the last 21 days, requires shore-based personnel to board and conduct activities on the vessel, the Master must declare through this link, that the Master and crew of the vessel did not have any shore leave or have any physical interaction with any other individual apart from the vessel's own crew in the South Asian countries mentioned and that there was no crew change conducted in the last 21 days.

The Owner, Agent or Master must submit via this link, the details of the shore-based personnel attending on board the vessel.

Vessels entering shipyards under the Ship Repair Framework must comply with the Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore's heightened mandatory precautionary measures. Owners, Agents and Masters may contact the appointed shipyard for more information.

The owner, agent or master of the vessel in port must establish and apply procedures and adequate controls to ensure the safety of shore-based personnel and the vessel's crew. Failure to comply with the requirements may result in a breach of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations or the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

PMC 19/21 - Link here
PMC 20/21 - Link here

(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 - PORT OF SINGAPORE

(1) Notice of Wreck

• MPA has given notice on 11 May 2021, of two wrecks and their contents comprising broken pieces of metal and ceramics in the following geographic location:

          Wreck 1:
 
          Latitude 01°19.90N Longitude 104°24.27E
          Latitude 01°19.90N Longitude 104°24.33E
          Latitude 01°19.82N Longitude 104°24.33E
          Latitude 01°19.82N Longitude 104°24.27E
 
         Wreck 2:
 
         Latitude 01°19.87N Longitude 104°24.50E
         Latitude 01°19.87N Longitude 104°24.58E
         Latitude 01°19.78N Longitude 104°24.58E
         Latitude 01°19.78N Longitude 104°24.50E

(2) Reporting procedures for vessels manoeuvring in the Port of Singapore

With effect from 0001 Hours (LT) on 01 March 2021, MPA has re-designated the working VHF channels of Keppel Control to VHF channel 05 and Pasir Panjang Control to VHF channel 18. PMC 06/2021 supersedes PMC 07/2021 accordingly. More information can be found here.

(3) Vessels at anchor in port

Pursuant to Reg. 9(2) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations, the Owner, Agent, Master or person-in-charge of a vessel at anchor, must at all times have on board the vessel a sufficient number of personnel that are capable of veering cable and keeping anchor lights burning in addition to taking the appropriate actions in the case of an emergency.

In the interest of navigational safety, vessels at anchor in port are at advised to:
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• ensure that a safe anchor watch is maintained;
• constantly monitor its position and the position of other anchored vessel for signs of anchor dragging, Allison or risk of grounding;
• keep the vessel's engines on short notice and in a state readiness for immediate use, in case of emergencies;
• monitor for signs of adverse weather and tidal conditions developing;
• ensure sufficient scope of anchor cable is paid out according to the prevailing circumstances and conditions;
• ensure that there is sufficient swinging room, while maintaining a safe distance from other vessels at all times;
• maintain a continuous listening watch on the designated VHF channels for the respective sector where the vessel is anchored in; &
• that the Master remains responsible for the safety of his vessel at anchor and shall undertake all necessary measures to that effect without undue delay. Additionally, the Master shall not hesitate to call for Pilot assistance if the prevailing circumstances or conditions warrant such an action.

Vessels under active employment or undergoing repairs must have their full operational crew onboard. In all other cases, the Port Master requires pursuant to Reg. 9(3) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations that at least half the number of officers, engineers and crew (or watchmen/security guards) or the minimum manning requirements of the vessel, must be onboard at all times.

The Master or person-in-charge of every vessel at anchor in port shall maintain a continuous navigational watch and comply with the STCW Code, Chapter VIII Section A-VIII/2, Part 3-1 S/No. 51. The Master or person-in-charge of every vessel at anchor in port shall also be guided by the IMO Circular STCW.7/Circ.14 – “Guidance for Masters on keeping a Safe Anchor Watch”.
PMC 03/21 - Link here

(4) 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.

(5) 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.​

(6) 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. 

(7) 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).

(8) 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 17 May 2021

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