Crew change is very much overdue for many seafarers at sea during this pandemic. According to the IMO, there are approximately 400,000 seafarers whose contract is expired and can not go home.
That figure also translates to another 400,000 sailors who can not join their ships.
Governments from around the world impose restrictions to crew changes. While others allow on-signers to come on board, many still closed their borders and only permits local nationals to join the ships.
Here are the list of countries and countries and their status with regards to crew change.
Table of Contents show
EUROPE
Most of Europe is open for crew change like the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France. As per experience, crew changes between EU citizen is very much possible even during the middle of the pandemic last year.
For non-EU citizen, do note that EU states require on-signers to have a valid Schengen Visa.
Albania
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed, except for returning Albanians and permanent residents
- All returning residents will be quarantined for 14 days
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No information regarding shore leave
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives not permitted to visit vessels
Azores Island
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictions
- No shore leave permitted
Belgium
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but restrictions on non-essential travel
- All Seafarers Missions are all closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
- Mouth masks and temperature measurements when entering
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted as long as the crew have a flight home
- Shore leave is permitted but maximum groups of 4 crew and a mask is essential
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Bulgaria
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but there are restrictions for people entering from certain countries
- Seafarers’ Centres are close.
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted if; 1.For the past 3 days the vessel has not to come from a high risk country. 2. The travel schedule has to be less than 48h to arrive at home. 3. If connecting flights are available
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Canary Islands
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers Centres are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Dockworkers have PPE but problems in some ports
Croatia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open for European union nationalities only
- Seafarers’ Centres can be open (no restrictions, but the one in Dubrovnik named Crew Corner remained closed due to lack of Cruise vessel traffic)
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted European union nationalities only
- Shore leave permitted IS permitted European union nationalities only
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels with strict epidemiological guidelines respected
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels with strict epidemiological guidelines respected
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Cyprus
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Denmark
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Seafarers’ Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
- Copenhagen airport is open and there are flights to Doha – Qatar, Amsterdam – Holland and Frankfurt – Germany almost every day
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted with police permission (transfer from ship directly to airport)
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Finland
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders closed
- Seafarers Centres are open but not possible to visit
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted unless for medical emergency
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is NOT available. Only hand washing facilities
France
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Seafarers Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights – limited
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted if they have a flight booked
- Shore leave IS permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Germany
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but a flight has to be fixed and then a (transit) hotel stay is allowed.
- No general quarantine obligation
- Shore leave IS permitted but some restrictions are in place depending on local regulations, most federal states allow visits of the reopened seaman`s clubs.
- Visits regarding medical care are allowed.
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in an emergency
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels in an emergency
Georgia
- Crew change IS permitted with the following restrictions
- A shipowner shall submit request for crew change along with necessary documentation to the Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
- The crew member has served his/her full employment contract period or is no longer medically fit to work on board the ship. Proof of expiry of employment contract or unfit for work medical report
- The minimum safe manning of the vessel is not affected by off signers
- Change of crew due to the sale or purchase of ship
- Confirmation that off signers have NOT been ashore in the last 14 days before leaving the ship and are not displaying symptoms of COVID-19
- Fit to travel medical certificate is issued by medical institution authorized by the Maritime Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia
- Proof that on signers have been in quarantine for at least 14 days prior to departing his/her home country and have not displayed symptoms of COVID-19
- COVID-19 test (PCR) with a negative result at his/her home country not more than 48 hours prior to his/her departure flight
- Fit to travel medical certificate issued by a doctor at his/her home country more than 24 hours prior to his/her departure flight
- The crew must be transferred directly from the ship to the point of arrival/departure in Georgia. If this is not possible, the crew will be placed on a temporary site in Georgia
- The ship will not be allowed to depart from Georgia until the completion of the crew change process, i.e. sign-off crew has departed Georgia and/or sign-on crew has boarded the ship
- Seafarers must carry seafarer’s documents, including seaman’s book, employment contract and other details which identify his/her status as a seafarer;
- They should carry letter of guarantee issued by employer, travel plan, seafarer details, ship data, etc
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors CAN visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Gibraltar
CREW CHANGE
- Outer Port Limits are allowed for disembarking crew.
- Disembarking crew to be confirmed free of any symptoms for past 14 days. Vessels master to provide official declaration.
- Agent to arrange special transport provisions –transportation from Port to
- Airport/Hotel needs to be carried out in the ‘Dirty Vehicle’, details of which can be found at link below
- Agent’s launch crew to avoid close contact with disembarking crew.
- Hotel stays are allowed for a maximum of 10 days.
- Outer Port Limits will now be allowed for embarking crew.
- Only designated hotels to be used where hotel stay is required. Details of hotels which can be used can be found at the link below.
- Agent to arrange special transport provisions –transportation from Airport/Hotel to Port needs to be carried out in the ‘Dirty Vehicle’, details of which can be found at the link below.
- Agent’s launch crew to avoid close contact with embarking crew
Greece
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed to non-European citizens
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted with restrictions
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
No information at present
Greenland
Instructions for crew change in Greenland.
Due to COVID-19 crew change in Greenland can only occur if an application for this has been approved by the Greenlandic authorities.
The application for crew change must include the following information:
- Crew list of incoming and outgoing crew members.
- List of the ship’s ports of call in the 14 days prior to the scheduled port call in
Greenland.
- List of the ship’s planned upcoming ports of call in Greenland.
- Maritime Declaration of Health.
Please note:
- Flights to Greenland are only granted permission to land if all passengers have been tested for COVID-19 before departure and the test results are negative. Each crew member must be in possession of a copy of the negative test result upon entry.
- Crews must be escorted directly between aircraft and ship without contact to locals.
- Prior to the ship’s port call a Maritime Declaration of Health must be submitted to the local port authority.
- Other crew members may not leave the ship during a port call in Greenland.
Applications must be sent to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].
Applications must be submitted no later than 5 business days prior to arrival.
The subject line of the email must read:
[PRIORITY] – [NAME OF THE SHIP] – [DATE for travel day]
Please note that the Greenlandic authorities continuously assess the COVID-19 situation and that the authorities’ guidelines must be observed and followed at all times.
The Ministry urges shipping companies to consult with local port agents. Royal Arctic Line A/S and Blue Water Shipping A/S operate in most cities.
Iceland
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but restrictions on non-essential travel
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is NOT being distributed
Ireland
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open, but there is a 14 day isolation period for anyone entering the country to stay except on the North/South border
- Seafarers’ Centres are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted
- Shore leave is permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels except under extreme circumstances
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels except under extreme circumstances
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Italy
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Seafarers Centers are all closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International passenger flights are operating
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted to EU only
- Shore leave IS permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is NOT being distributed
Latvia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Border between Baltic States are open, there is no restriction for traveling within Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
- Seafarers Centres are open and is available for visiting with restrictions no more that 25 persons at the same time
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted (transfer directly from vessel to airport)
- No shore leave permitted in line with local regulations, except single engage and disembark for employment (in practice Liepaja port no restriction, Ventspils port in depend of terminal decision, Riga port permitted in some special/specific circumstances)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels (in exceptional circumstance single visit available with following self-isolation at their place of residence for 14 days)
Lithuania
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders between Lithuania and Poland, Latvia, Estonia are open without restrictions
- Only Vilnius airport is open. Only flights to Frankfurt an Tallinn are avalible. More destinations will be available soon
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted but only with police escort
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Malta
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Joining crew needs to provide negative PCR test 72-48 hours prior arrival and will have to remain in quarantine during their stay in Malta until their vessel arrives.
- Once their vessels arrives they will be allowed to embark where they should continue the remaining days of quarantine onboard.
- Off signers need to stay in quarantine during their stay in Malta while waiting for their flight.
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- No information at present
Montenegro
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is NOT being distributed
Netherlands
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open
- Seafarers’ Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted
- Shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Some welfare representatives are visiting vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided
Norway
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted with restrictions in ports of Bergen and Oslo
- No crew change is permitted in ports of North Norway
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Poland
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted with some restrictions;
- For EU, EEA citizens and seafarers from countries covered by EU visa waiver programme there are no restrictions on arrival/departure.
- For seafarers off-signing in Polish ports, the local agent must apply to the Immigration Head for permission to disembark and the decision will be taken on a case by case basis. A valid ticket is required
- For seafarers signing-on who possess a Schengen visas issued by another country, it should be possible to arrive to Poland from another Schengen country, subject to no restriction in that country.
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Portugal
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Romania
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but restrictions apply to red countries
- Constanta Seamen’s Club and Agigea International Seafarers Centre are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted after a symptomatic control of on and off signers
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Spain
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open for essential travel only
- Seafarers Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted but conditioned and limited to few airports and ports. No quarantine is requested for seafarers
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Dockworkers have PPE but problems in some ports
Sweden
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but restrictions on non-essential travel
- Malmö, Göteborg, Norrköping and Stockholm Seafarers’ centers are all closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted if seafarer has a valid Schengen visa
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Ukraine
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers’ Centres are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted except Ukrainian seafarers
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been distributed
United Kingdom
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but for essential travel only
- Government has confirmed seafarers arriving in UK will be exempted from the quarantine measures put in place for other travellers to UK
- Liverpool Seafarers’ centre and the Mission to Seafarers clubs in South Wales are closed
- UK government recognises seafarers as key workers
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted
- Shore leave IS permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Just like Canada, the US also have different polices for crew change across different states. They may vary but they also have similarities.
Do take note that US Visa is still required for crew joining in any US ports.
Baltimore
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Boston
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Charleston
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Gulfport
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Honolulu
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed for non-essential travel
- Most Seafarers Centres are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- Shore leave is permitted but limited and may vary in different states
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Houston
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Jacksonville
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Long Beach
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictions
- Sign-on crew must have a US-Visa
- Sign-off crew (with or without a visa) must apply for parole with US CBP
- Sign-off crew without visas are allowed to fly out with US CBP permission on a case by case basis
- All sign-on and sign-off crew in Southern California must fly into or out of Los Angeles International airport. CBP will allow one domestic lay over with pre-approval
- Sign-off crew must fly out while the ship is still in port. On-signers must arrive after the ship has arrived. Hotel stays are generally not being approved
- Sign-off crew must have an escort to the airport to verify boarding and departure
- Shore leave is not being approved
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Los Angeles
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictions
- Sign-on crew must have a US-Visa
- Sign-off crew (with or without a visa) must apply for parole with US CBP
- Sign-off crew without visas are allowed to fly out with US CBP permission on a case by case basis
- All sign-on and sign-off crew in Southern California must fly into or out of Los Angeles International airport. CBP will allow one domestic lay over with pre-approval
- Sign-off crew must fly out while the ship is still in port. On-signers must arrive after the ship has arrived. Hotel stays are generally not being approved
- Sign-off crew must have an escort to the airport to verify boarding and departure
- Shore leave is not being approved
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Miami
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Mobile
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
New Orleans
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
New York
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Norfolk
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Oakland/San Francisco
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictions
- Sign-on crew must have a US-Visa
- Sign-off crew (with or without a visa) must apply for parole with US CBP
- Sign-off crew without visas are allowed to fly out with US CBP permission
- All sign-on and sign-off crew in Northern California must fly into or out of San Francisco International airport. All flights must be to or from a foreign airport, no domestic (US to US) transfers are being approved
- Sign-off crew must fly out while the ship is still in port. On-signers must arrive after the ship has arrived. Hotel stays are generally not being approved
- Sign-off crew must have an escort to the airport to verify boarding and departure
- Shore leave is not being approved
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Philadelphia
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Port Everglades
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Portland
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted
- Shore leave IS permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Savannah
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Seattle
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Tacoma
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted
- Shore leave IS permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Tampa
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
West Palm Beach
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Wilmington, DE
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
Wilmington, NC
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels in certain cases
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
CANADA
Canada has different policies for crew change on its various ports. Here are a short list of them.
Anchorage
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions
Belledune
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Come By Chance
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Halifax
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Hamilton
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Montreal
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Nanaimo
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Nanticoke
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Port Cartier
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Port Hawkesbury
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Port Saguenay
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Prince Rupert
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Quebec
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Saint John
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Sept-Îles
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Sorel
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
St John’s
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Thunder Bay
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Toronto
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessel
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Vancouver
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Whittier
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
Windsor
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted.
- Seafarers may need to apply online to obtain temporary resident visas (TRVs) for essential workers
- Seafarers are not required complete mandatory quarantine
- Limited controlled shore leave, up to four hours
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
In these region, countries are strict with crew changes. Some of them still close their borders for on-signers and off-signers.
Antigua & Barbuda
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
Aruba
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Bahamas
GENERAL INFORMATION
- All airports and sea ports closed until further notice
- Cruise/Passenger vessels are not permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives not permitted to visit vessels
Barbados
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted but but subject to the following conditions – A approval request needs to be made 48 hours prior – Crew will need to take a chartered flight
- No shore leave permitted
Belize
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders closed
- Belize government has banned entry for all persons who have traveled to China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, South Korea, the UK and Europe within the last 30 days from 15th March 2020
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Bermuda
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
Bonaire
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Cruise ships are banned
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Costa Rica
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Cuba
CREW CHANGE
- All commercial and charter flights are suspended from entering or leaving Cuba until 31 July 2020, and this date may be subject to further review.
- No foreign sea vessels are allowed in Cuban waters until further notice. On sea vessels, there may be exceptions made by Cuban authorities on the grounds of health, fuel or technical problems.
Curacao
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Only KLM is flying between Curacao and Amsterdam, the Netherlands
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted but with several restrictions
- No shore leave permitted
Dominican Republic
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights (this does not apply to repatriation flights)
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
El Salvador
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
- Spare Parts & CTMs can still be perform.
- Technical Repairs are allow by local technicians.
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Grenada
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
Guatemala
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International and national flights are NOT operating
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Haiti
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
Honduras
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International and national flights are NOT operating
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Jamaica
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open
- Travel restrictions have been imposed for the persons arriving from United Kingdom (UK), China, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, France, Spain, Germany and Iran
- Persons arriving from these countries will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
Mexico
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open, but all travellers will have their temperature taken
- Seafarers’ Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports ARE operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictions
- No shore leave permitted except for medical aid
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being NOT distributed
Nicaragua
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International passenger flights are not operating
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Panama
CREW CHANGE
- Crew Change is allowed
AIRPORT STATUS
- Seafarer repatriation through charter flights
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to
Puerto Rico
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with local restrictions (Please contact the coordinator/inspector below for further details)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
St. Lucia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open for regional and international travel
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted but from 4th June it will be permitted with restriction
Trinidad & Tobago
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SOUTH AMERICA
Like central America, South American region slowly opens their borders to on-signers and off-signers. However, expect strict policies in place especially for foreign nationals.
Argentina
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Brazil
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted with restrictions
- Sign-on crew joining a vessel is limited because of the flight restrictions
- Shore leave is NOT permitted except for emergencies
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating very limited passenger flights
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels with some restrictions
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels with some restrictions
Chile
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted with restrictions including:
- Safe passage document must be must be obtained in the country of residence of the seafarer and he/she must be present as finger prints are registered and photograph are taken
- Crew can only be changed in central ports from Coquimbo to San Vicente
- Sign-on crew:
- must at all times must comply with the measures of social distancing and the use of a mask at all times
- who display Covid-19 symptoms will be isolated
- should travel on private (not public) transport arranged by the company from the airport to the ship
- must wait at a hotel or medical residence if the ship is not available for immediate embarkation
- Sign-off crew:
- if a crew member has not completed 14 days on board, counted from the departure of the last foreign port, they must do so in a hotel or residence
- at the end of the 14 days indicated above, crew can leave Chile by the means that the agency deems appropriate, according to the current national situation.
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating limited passenger flights
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Colombia
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but there are NO international flights
- Shore leave is NOT permitted except in emergency cases
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
- Authorities confirm flights will start in September 2020
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Ecuador
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
French Guyana
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Guyana
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Peru
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International Airport with restrictions.
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Suriname
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights (this applys to repatriation flights ONLY)
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Uruguay
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Contact is NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Venezuela
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted except Venezuelan nationals
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
AIRPORT STATUS
- International and national flights are NOT operating
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
AFRICA
Most of Africa do not permit crew change due to closed borders. But there are very few of them that allows crew change with heavy strict restrictions.
Algeria
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers’ Centres are open but require the authorities’ approval to visit
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change permitted for Algerian seafarers ONLY
- No shore leave permitted except for exceptional cases (illness, emergency evacuation to the hospital)
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are permitted to visit vessels but they require authorities’ approval
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Angola
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Benin
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but visas are restricted
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Contacts ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Cameroon
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Cape Verde
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Djibouti
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- No shore leave is permitted
DR Congo
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed until further notice
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Egypt
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted with the following restrictions
- 72 hours pre-notice is required to obtain approvals for off signers
- Off signers MUST confirm that they are free of any COVID-19 symptoms for the past 14 days. Vessel’s master to provide an official declaration.
- Hotel stay is permitted after disembarkation and until the flight date. Only designated hotels to be used
- Off signers MUST have confirmed flight tickets and hotel booking if required
- Crew must arrive at the airport 4 hours before flight take-off
- 72 hours pre-notice is required to obtain approvals for on signers
- Hotel stay is permitted before embarkation. Only designated hotels to be used
- Europeans can be granted visas on arrival. Asians/Turkish can be granted a visa on arrival, but this is dependent on whether they are holding valid seaman books.
Equatorial Guinea
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Eritrea
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
Gabon
GENERAL INFORMATION
- All land, air and sea borders are closed
- Imposed a curfew between 1900-0600.
Ghana
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- No flights into the country
- Tema and Takoradi Seafarers’ Centres are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted except for medical emergencies
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Some Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been issued but supply and use of masks is not consistent.
Guinea Bissau
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment has NOT been distributed
Ivory Coast
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers’ centers are open
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are not permitted to visit vessels except for urgent cases
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is not distributed
Kenya
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change at the Port of Mombasa IS permitted for the following categories of seafarers:
- Seafarers who have completed their employment contracts in accordance with the seafarer employment agreement
- Seafarers who are no longer medically fit to work on board ship
- Seafarers wishing to sign off on compassionate grounds
- Seafarers whose sign off does not affect the safe manning of the ship
- Crew to sign-on must have been in self-quarantine in their home country at least 14 days before scheduled sign on date
- Crew must submit covid-19 negative test certificate issued at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure date
- The receiving ship must be in Kenya prior to arrival of the crew
- Approval must be obtained before crew commences journey to Kenya. At the airport, crew temperature must be taken and confirmed at below 37.5 degrees (if above 37.5 degrees, measures must be taken in accordance with Port Health protocols)
- After Immigration clearance, crew to be met by the Ships Agent and directed to the prearranged private transport vehicle
- Crew to sign-off MUST have a confirmed flight out of the country within 48 hours of the ship’s arrival/departure
- All documents required to be provided, including temperature history, seafarer employment agreement or proof of reason for sign off
- Crew to be cleared by the Port Health and Immigration Authorities, and approval letter provided
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF inspector is NOT permitted to visit vessels
Liberia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted for countries with more than 200 cases of covid-19. For crew from countries with 50-199 cases, it requires the approval of the Public Health Institute. The crew from countries with less than 50 cases will have body temperature checked
- Shore leave IS permitted after acceptance by Port Authorities
Libya
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Madagascar
GENERAL INFORMATION
- All international and regional flights are suspended from 20 March for 30 days.
- Cruise ships will not be permitted to berth in Madagascans ports for 30 days from 15th March 2020
- Curfew in place between 2000-0500hrs
SEAFARERS RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- No information currently available as to whether vessel visits are still possible.
Mauritius
CREW CHANGE
- Borders are closed
- The Mauritian government has a policy of repatriating 150 national seafarers every two weeks
- Mauritian seafarers can only return on scheduled Air Mauritius flights
- Any seafarers who return home are quarantined for two weeks on arrival
Morocco
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS NOT permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF Inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to
Mozambique
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- Shore leave IS permitted if vessel comes alongside side and crew are in good health, the authorities will allow the crew to go ashore
Namibia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Ports and some land border crossings have been closed to passengers. Entry to Namibia is banned for all foreign nationals
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Nigeria
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Rep Congo
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Border are closed
SEAFARERS RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Reunion
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted with some restrictions
- The following documents must be submitted to Authorities at least 72 hours before the ship’s arrival :
- Crew list (including date and port of embarking of all crew members on board)
- Last 10 ports of call with the departure date and time from the last port
- Ship’s details if the vessel has called at a high risk country
- Vessels to maintain a compulsory delay of 14 days between departure port and berthing in Reunion.
Senegal
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Seychelles
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Sierra Leone
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Somalia
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
South Africa
CREW CHANGE
- South African seafarers are permitted to embark/disembark vessels. Returning seafarers will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine/self-isolation.
- South African seafarers wishing to join a vessel, should preferably self-isolate for 14-days prior to embarkation. It is recommended, not mandatory, for seafarers to undergo a Covid-19 test prior to joining a vessel.
- Foreign seafarers are NOT permitted to embark/disembark vessels in South Africa, unless prior arrangements have been agreed upon between the seafarers’ Embassy and Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Department of Home Affairs and Department of Health.
- Masters, seafarers and ship operators are to ensure that each individual seafarer, wishing to join or sign off a vessel completes a Crew Health Self-Declaration & daily temperature records
- No shore leave is permitted
Sudan
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- Shore leave is permitted by subject to restrictions
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Tanzania
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but with restrictions
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
No information at present
The Gambia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Togo
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Tunisia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
MIDDLE EAST
Some ports allow crew change but with heavy quarantine protocols while other keep their borders closed.
Bahrain
CREW CHANGE
- No crew change permitted unless medical emergency
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Iran
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are open but for essential travel only
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted but under quarantine control
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Iraq
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Israel
GENERAL INFORMATION
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are operating passenger flights (mostly flights to North America and Europe)
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted however crew member must be self isolated for 2 weeks and to pass a COVID-19 test
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is provided
Jordan
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed except some diplomatic flights and cargo shipments
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change not permitted
- Shore leave not permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
No information at present
Kuwait
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Lebanon
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted except Lebanese seafarers
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Oman
CREW CHANGE
- In general crew change is restricted in Omani ports and terminals, however, under the following special circumstances crew change may take place
- Crew member has served their maximum time on board and no contract extension has been issued by the Flag state
- Compassionate grounds
- Crew member is no longer medically fir to work on board
- Provide a declaration of health covering at least 24 days and including the previous ports of call
- Crew must depart the country straight away or be kept under quarantine until such time as flights are available (at the company cost)
Crew joining the vessel must display no signs of Covid-19 infection. (Holding COVID-19 test certificate that was issued within 3 days prior to joining date)
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Qatar
CREW CHANGE
Not permitted but in talks with the government.
Saudi Arabia
CREW CHANGE
- Due to travel restrictions imposed by most countries to avoid the spread of COVID-19, it is not possible for the moment to conduct crew changes
- Crew changes operation will be resumed when the situation returnS to normal and the borders are open.
Syria
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
Turkey
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOTpermitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
United Arab Emirates UAE
CREW CHANGE
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Yemen
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
ASIA PACIFIC
The Asia Pacific region generally has provision for crew change both on local and foreign seafarers.
However, few countries like China and Russia only accommodates crew change for local nationalities.
Australia – New South Wales
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS possible with restrictions
Australia – Northern Territory
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS possible with restrictions
Australia – Queensland
CREW CHANGE
Port of Brisbane, Townsville, Port Alma, Bundaberg and Gladstone:
- Crew change IS permitted
- Crew are not required to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass under the Protocol for Maritime Crew
All other Queensland Ports:
- Crew change IS permitted if the last departure from an overseas port was at least 14 days
Australia – South Australia
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS possible with restrictions
Australia – Tasmania
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS possible with restrictions
Australia – Victoria
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS possible with restrictions
Australia – Western Australia
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS possible with restrictions
Bangladesh
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted
- Sign-on crew must produce Covid-19 free certificate taken within 72 hours to Port Entry Immigrant Officer.
- Sign-off crew will receive a Visa on Arrival until the next available flight
- Sign-on and Sign-off crew cannot stay in any other place except a hotel or nominated quarantine place during their stay at BD.
- International flights operating as of today 29th July:
- Qatar Airways -3 days a week
- Emirates Airways -3 days a week .
- Turkish Airways-3 days a week.
- Malaysian Airways- 1 day a week.
- Malinda Airways – 1 day a week.
- Chartered flights allowed by Govt permission
Brunei
GENERAL INFORMATION
Crew Change and Medivac is currently on case-by-case basis and application process with authority is now complex and time consuming with no guarantee and should be avoided unless there is a serious and necessary reason.
Cambodia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change is permitted
- No shore leave is permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKER INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
CHINA
CREW CHANGE
- Only Chinese nationals crew change is permitted, no foreign seafarers
Fiji
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed to crews from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Spain, United States of America and the whole of Europe, including United Kingdom, within 14 days prior to arrival in Fiji
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change IS permitted with restrictions
- Shore leave IS permitted subject to border agency’s discretion
Hong Kong
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted with restrictions
- Crew change arrangement for passenger vessels and goods vessels without cargo operation in Hong Kong is suspended until the local epidemic situation is contained
- For goods vessels coming to Hong Kong for cargo operation, new exemption conditions will be imposed and the existing requirements will be tightened, including:
- all crew members of these vessels should remain onboard the vessels during the stay of the vessels in Hong Kong waters and should not go ashore;
- outgoing crew members who have completed their service onboard will be required to remain on the vessel during their stay in Hong Kong until transportation arrangement is made for them to travel directly to the airport to board flights for repatriation to their home countries so as to avoid contact with the local community;
- incoming crew members arriving at the airport by flights from other places should possess a negative result of nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted at an ISO 15189-accredited laboratory or a laboratory recognised by the Government where the laboratory is located with the specimen collected within 48 hours before he/she departs his place of origin for entering into Hong Kong. Crew members who do not possess the test results will be denied entry. They should also go on-board the vessel immediately and directly upon arrival in Hong Kong and should not stay in public places;
- point-to-point transfer should be arranged by the shipping companies/agents for crew members to travel to and from the vessel. Use of public transportation which will serve the general public at the same time is prohibited, and crew members should wear masks during the entire journey, etc.; and
- shipping companies/agents which fail to comply with the above conditions will be denied crew change arrangement in Hong Kong.
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
India
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is only permitted for Indian nationals
- International flights to India are suspended.
- Nationals of India are only allowed to return to India by flights arranged by Ministry of Civil Aviation
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Indonesia
GENERAL INFORMATION
From 01st to 28th January 2021, the Indonesian Government will not allow any foreigners (except for diplomate) to enter Indonesia due to a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted to Indonesian crew only
Japan
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but there MUST be a period of at least 14 days between leaving the port in a foreign country and arriving in a Japanese port and international flights must be available
- There must be no sign of infection. Check with the local port officials for the requirements for each specific port.
- Crew signing-on IS permitted if the seafarers passes PCR test on arrival at the airport in Japan (A PCR test may not be conducted if there is no sign of infection and is dependent on airport regulations)
- Non-Japanese seafarers who hold have Chinese passports issued by Hubei and Zhejiang Province in the People’s Republic of China are NOT permitted to enter Japan
- Both on-/off-signers, will NOT be allowed to use public transportation while transiting between the airport and the port, and can only use private cars that the agents have prepared.
- Shore leave IS permitted but there MUST be a period of at least 14 days between leaving the port in a foreign country and arriving in a Japanese port
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Malaysia
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictions
- All crew traveling into Malaysia are required to undergo 14-day mandatory quarantine at dedicated quarantine centers upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the cost of which must be borne by the company as determined by the Malaysian Ministry of Health
- All crew are subject to medical screening
- The app ‘MySejahtera’ must be intsalled on crew smart phones
- All crew must have medical certificate stating a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test result issued at most 3 days before arrival
- If the COVID-19 test is positive or the crew shows explicit virus symptoms, either during sign-on or sign-off process, the crew and his/her shipping company must inform the Ministry of Health (MOH) through the nearest Port Health Office immediately within 24 hours upon the clearance. Crew will not be allowed to:
- return home
- move to the ship/port
- move to any exit point
- move from any entry point
- or transit any area in Malaysia
VESSELS VISITS
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
Maldives
CREW CHANGE is allowed.
- On-signers arriving are required to present COVID-19 negative PCR test not more than 72 hours prior to departure for any nationalities. No quarantine period required.
- Off-signers are given 7 days to leave the country but can be extended. No quarantine period required.
Myanmar
CREW CHANGE
- All commercial passenger flights have been suspended until 31st August 2020
- Crew Change IS permitted with the following restrictions but because of the lack of international flights
- Myanmar nationals can disembark/embark but sign-off crew will be quarantined for 21 days
- Sign-off (foreign crew) are permitted but the respective embassies must submit a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). MOFA will then send an official request to the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Immigration and Population, who will then process the sign off visa and arrange for the necessary quarantine procedure with the Ministry of Health.
Sign-off crew will be placed in a designated quarantine hotel by authorities for a period of 21 days.
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
New Zealand
CREW CHANGE
- International airports are operating very limited passenger flights
- Crew change IS permitted but with very strict restrictions
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- ITF Inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to
Marshall Islands
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Crew change not allowed.
North Korea
GENERAL INFORMATION
No information at present
Pakistan
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is not permitted at either the MW#4 and PQEPT terminals
- Visas from the home country are not required and crew may join vessel with an OK TO BOARD letter
- These documents must be submitted to port health authority before crew change permission is granted: Maritime Health Declaration. Arrival Crew list. Ports of Call list. Crew Vaccination list. Medical Chest Certificate. Corona Virus Declaration. SSCEC. Body Temperature Log of all crew members on board for the past 15 days
- The following documents (valid passport and national seaman books) are required along with crew details:
- Name / Nationality / Rank:
- DOB / POB:
- Passport No:
- Date of Issue / Expiry:
- Seaman Book No:
- Date of Issue / Expiry:
- Flight details (As mentioned on E-ticket) including PNR number: (Once available)
- Off signers are allowed at the berth/anchorage once the necessary clearance is granted by Port Health Department for crew change
- Off signers may have to undergo a PCR test if instructed by Port Health Officer
- Off signers MUST wear proper masks and surgical gloves, and they MUST carry sanitizers as a requirement from the terminal
- Off signers MUST proceed directly to the airport from the port
- On signers arriving at Karachi will undergo screening/testing at Karachi Airport. They MUST provide a copy of test results for COVID-19 through RT-PCR conducted 24 hrs prior to boarding the flight. The test result must include the name and passport number of the passenger and the original test result is required at the disembarkation airport in Pakistan. The test results must not older than 3 days otherwise authorities will not allow on signers to leave the Airport.
- On signers MUST wear proper masks and surgical gloves, and they MUST carry sanitizers as a requirement from the airport
- On signers must proceed directly to the vessel from the airport, they are NOT permitted to stay in hotels
- On signers are allowed at the berth/anchorage once the necessary clearance is granted by Port Health Department for crew change
- If any crew member displays any COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at Karachi airport, they will be quarantined for 15 days at the port health hospital at Karachi Airport for further screening/treatment. They will be sent back to their home country after 15 days
Papua New Guinea
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers Centres are closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is NOT being distributed
Philippines
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted but with restrictionslink(includes foreign seafarers)
- A limit of 2,400 inbound passengers per day to Manila airport. Half of these is for repatriated OFW’s
Non-Filipino Seafarers (Ship to airport)
- Seafarer must have a valid 9(c) Philippine issued visa
- Medical certificate that seafarer tested negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to arrival at seaport. Government reserves right to re-test.
- Seafarer must proceed directly to airport for confirmed outbound flight within 4 hours from disembarking ship. Failure to pursue flight within 4-hour window will subject non-Filipino seafarer to same health protocols as inbound Filipino seafarers
Non-Filipino Seafarers (Airport to ship)
- Seafarer must have a valid 9(c) Philippine issued visa
- Medical certificate that seafarer tested negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours prior to arrival at airport. Government reserves right to re-test.
- Seafarer to proceed directly to ship within 6 hours from arrival at airport. Failure to embark ship within 6 hour window will subject non-Filipino seafarer to same health protocols as inbound Filipino seafarers
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Russia
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Seafarers Centres are closed
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted except for Russian seafarers
- No shore leave permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels unless an emergency
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels unless an emergency
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is being distributed
Singapore
CREW CHANGE
- With effect from 1st September 2020, MPA will consider the following circumstances for crew change applications:
(a) crew whose employment contract has expired;
(b) additional crew on board whose sign-off would not affect the safe manning of the ship;
(c) change of crew due to the sale or purchase of ship;
(d) personnel who are not part of the ship’s crew such as superintendents and service engineers;
(e) compassionate grounds e.g. death of family member; or(f)the crew is no longer medically fit to work onboard the ship
- Signing-on
(a) In general, all signing-on crew are required to serve 14-days Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) in the originating country/region. The crew should be properly isolated (individual room with dedicated toilet) with strictly no interaction with others (including family members) at his/her place of residence, or serve the SHN in a dedicated facility/hotel.(b) Crew from specific low risk countries/regions will either no longer be required to serve the SHN or serve a shorter SHN of 7 days in the originating country/region prior to departure for Singapore
(c) In addition to the SHN requirement, if a crew was previously diagnosed with COVID-19,the date of first ever positive PCR test must be more than21 days ago from date of departure from the home country to Singapore.
(d) The crew must have a negative result from a COVID-19 test (polymerase chain reaction (PCR) type) taken at a government-approved or ISO 15189-accredited testing facility not more than 48hours prior to the departure flight.
(e) The crew shall be certified fit-to-travel by a doctor at his/her originating country not more than 24 hours prior to the departure flight.
(f) During the entire crew change process,especially during the journey to join the ship in Singapore, crew maybe in groups of not more than five (5)persons, but must remain in the same group, and there must be no interactions between the groups.
(g) The crew shall only arrive Singapore to join his/her ship not more than two (2) days before the ship’s departure from Singapore.
- Signing-off
(a)The crew must not have gone ashore in the last 14 days before disembarking the ship and has remained 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
- For crew changes to take place safely, MPA continues to expect all owners, agents, ships and individuals to ensure that the COVID-19 preventive measures are followed strictly. Any breach will be taken seriously.
- Ship owners/managers/agents must apply for crew change in Singapore by filling up the online form at www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/port-of-singapore/operations/crew-change.
As MPA expects a high volume of applications, we urge ship owners/managers/agents to submit applications at least 14 days before the planned crew change, especially if the application includes sign-on crew. For foreign-flagged ships, crew change will be considered if the ship meets all prevailing requirements, and are in Singapore for cargo operations, bunkering and/or other marine services.
- Shipowners/managers/agents should check and ensure sign-off crew comply with the latest entry restrictions/requirements for the sign-off crew’s destination country.
Solomon Islands
GENERAL INFORMATION
Any person who has travelled from or transited through a “restricted country” at any time during the 14 days immediately before the day on which the person arrives in Solomon Islands will not be permitted to enter the country. Travellers are advised if they are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 they may be denied entry or boarding and are strongly advised to postpone travel to the Solomon Islands.
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
South Korea
CREW CHANGE
- Visa-free entry for crew change is temporarily suspended
- All crew arriving by in Korea by flight for crew change should have a visa and submit PCR negative test result
- The test results should be issued within 48 hours prior to departure from their home country or from the country prior to arrival in Korea
- Foreign seafarer: (before the facility is ready) after Covid-19 test, they should quarantine at a facility (1 person, 1 room) provided by company until the result. A negative result can depart Korea.
(cannot use public transportation, company should provide separate transportation to airport)
- Foreign seafarer: (after the facility is ready) after Covid-19 test, go to the foreign seafarer facility center, quarantine for 14 days (company must pay the cost) A negative result can depart Korea.
(cannot use public transportation, company should provide separate transportation to airport)
- No shore leave permitted except for medical attention
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Sri Lanka
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change IS permitted at Colombo & Galle ports only
- Prior notice of 72 hours is mandatory for any seafarer embarking/disembarking along with the required documents.
- Between 24 – 48 hours are needed to complete the transfer process of an on-signer to the port upon landing, and for an off-signer to the airport upon disembarkation.
- The on-signer could stay up to 5 days upon arrival & off signers up to 7 days in Sri Lanka depending on the arrival of vessel/ departure flight.
- Sign-on crew arriving by air need to undergo a PCR test within the preceding 5 days to the flight departure and receive a negative result.
- Sign-off crew have to be certified by vessel Master as not having a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms.
- Crew members to stay at an Isolation Center pending results of the PCR test (Isolation center would be a hotel approved by the Ministry of Health with WiFi & related amenities on full-board basis).
- 100% advance funding prior to undertaking the crew change is required.
- Cancellation charges are 50%
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors are NOT permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives are NOT permitted to visit vessels
Taiwan
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed except for Taiwanese citizens
- Kaohsiung -Stella Maris Seafarers’ Centre is open
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- Shore leave IS permitted
VESSELS VISITS
- ITF inspectors ARE permitted to visit vessels
- Welfare representatives ARE permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been distributed
Thailand
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Borders are closed
- Stella Maris drop in center is open but Seafarers’ centre is closed
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARERS RESTRICTIONS
- Crew change is permitted if the vessel did not come from a risk country and it passes the inspection by port health
- Shore leave may be permitted
VESSEL VISITS
- Welfare representatives are not permitted to visit vessels
DOCKERS INFORMATION
- No information at present
Tuvalu
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
Vanuatu
GENERAL INFORMATION
More details coming soon
AIRPORT STATUS
- International airports are NOT operating passenger flights
SEAFARER RESTRICTIONS
- No crew change permitted
- No shore leave permitted
Vietnam
CREW CHANGE
- Crew change is NOT permitted except Vietnamese nationals who must complete a 14 day period of compulsory quarantine in a place nominated by the relevant provincial authority
- In an emergency that a crew member needs to go ashore for urgent medical care, this will be carried out in accordance with the quarantine authorities
- Shore leave is NOT permitted
Information listed here is from ITF and Inch Cape shipping Services. The provisions for crew change may change without prior notice especially that a new strain of COVID19 is detected.
The data presented here is for informational purposes only. For more detailed and up to date guidelines, you may contact the specific country regarding their policies for crew change.
May the winds be in your favor