News and Updates.

Updates in 2020:

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 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 (with prohibition of crew change of crew with recent travel history to the UK or South Africa)* 
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
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1. Reporting procedures for vessels manoeuvring in the Port of Singapore* ​
2. Resolutions adopted by the 74th session of the MEPC (IMO)* ​
3. Guidelines on the medical examination of seafarers and seafarer's medical certificate* 
4. Implementation of Singapore Standard SS 648: 2019 - Code of practice for bunker mass flow metering
5. Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2019
6. ​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 05/2021 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:

• All signing crew are required to serve a 14 day stay-home-notice (SHN) in the crew’s originating country/region in the period immediately preceding his/her departure to Singapore. Proper isolation facility (individual room with dedicated toilet) is required, with no interaction with any other persons (including family members). This may be conducted at the crew’s place of residence or at a dedicated facility/hotel.
• 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 have 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 certificate 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 crew should 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.
• Signing-on crew who have recovered from COVID-19 must submit documentary proof of his/her diagnosis of COVID-19 based on the earliest positive PCR Test result. The guidelines to be adhered to, are as follows:
  1. No crew change allowed for crewmember whose positive PCR test result is 21 days or fewer before the date of arrival in Singapore
  2. An individual who had a positive PCR test result between 22 days to 180 days before the date of arrival in Singapore need not serve the SHN at his/her originating country/region nor take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departure for Singapore. If however he/she develops symptoms prior to departing for Singapore, that individual must be tested for COVID-19.
  3. An individual who had a positive PCR test more than 180 days before the date of arrival at Singapore, must serve a 14-day SHN at his/her originating country and take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours before departing for Singapore.

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 shall 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.
• 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 14 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.
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Shipowners/Managers/Agents should submit crew change applications at 14 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.

Supplementary to PMC 05/2021 - PMC 07/2021 Link

For crew change applications where the sign-off crew requires PDT before departing Singapore, in addition to the existing requirement of crew not having gone ashore for 21 days, all crew on board shall produce a negative test result from a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken at the vessel’s last port of call before calling at Singapore. The test results shall be submitted to MPA as soon as they are available and before the vessel arrives Singapore. This will apply to all sign-off applications submitted from 15 February 2021.

*Prohibition of Crew Change for Crew with recent travel history to the United Kingdom or South Africa (PMC 02/2021)

With effect from 2359 Hours 03 January 2021, all long-term and short-term visitors with recent travel history to the United Kingdom or South Africa will not allowed entry or transit through Singapore. Crew change for the following categories of Crew will not be allowed at Singapore:

1) Crew with recent travel history to the UK or South Africa within the last 14 days preceding arrival to Singapore, including sign-on crew travelling to Singapore by flight as well as sign-off crew from vessels that have called in those countries.

2) Sign-on crew transiting the UK and South Africa on their connecting flights to Singapore.

(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:
  1. 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.
  2. For the rest of the employees who cannot work through telecommuting, employers must implement safe distancing measures to reduce physical interactions by:
     • Reducing the need for and duration of physical interactions;
     • Staggering working hours;
     • Postponing all group events; and
     • Implementing shift work and/or split team arrangements.
  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) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.​

(4) 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. 

(5) 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).

(6) 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 11 March 2021

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