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As Singapore moves into Phase Two of re-opening, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has updated our crew change requirements. This takes into consideration feedback from our industry players and unions. Despite the COVID19 pandemic, MPA has been facilitating crew change under special circumstances, as well as facilitating medical treatment of seafarers who require emergency attention.
MPA has revised the requirements for crew change as follows:
a) Designated holding facility
MPA understands the need to cater to some crew members who are not able to transfer directly to their vessel or flight. MPA will approve such crew change under special circumstances, should they meet the criteria stipulated in PMC 26 of 2020, and subject to a booking in a designated holding facility. This will apply to applications made from 19 June onwards. For crew sign-ons, the designated holding facilities will be able to take crew from 2 July 2020 as he/she is required to have been in quarantine for at least 14 days prior to departing his/her home country. The stay at the designated holding facility is for up to 48 hours.
The two designated holding facilities are proposals from the industry and unions which MPA has accepted. The designated holding facility will have to comply with a list of conditions stipulated by MPA for it to receive bookings… …Depending on demand, MPA may impose a quota and/or a prioritisation framework.
b) Ship departure upon crew sign-off
Ships, after signing off its crew and obtaining port clearance, need not remain in port until the sign-off crew have departed Singapore. Ship managers/agents shall be responsible for ensuring that the crew change is effected according to MPA’s requirements.
c) Tele-medicine consultation for issuance of fit-to-travel certificate
Ship owners/managers/agents can now use tele-medicine (i.e. real time video consultation) to obtain a fit-to-travel assessment and certification for crew signing off in Singapore. MPA will accept fit-to-travel certificates issued by Singapore Medical Council (SMC)-fully registered doctors meeting requirements…
d) Meet-and-greet service at Changi Airport
With effect from 26 June 2020, ship managers/agents must arrange meet-and-greet services for sign-on crew arriving at Changi Airport, to escort the crew from the moment they disembark the plane to the point where they are handed over to the agent for the direct transfer to the ship or designated holding facility. The list of meet-and-greet service providers include Certis, SATS and dnata.
Ship owners/managers/agents should apply for crew change in Singapore by filling up the online form at www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/port-ofsingapore/operations/crew-change. As MPA expects a high volume of applications, we urge ship owners/managers/agent 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.
MPA will continue to work closely with the industry and unions to review the crew change procedures to ensure a “safe corridor” for crew change which minimises public health risk to both the local and shipping community.
Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this circular take effect immediately. This circular supplements PMC No. 26 of 2020, and therefore, unless revised by this PMC, the requirements for crew change in PMC No.26 of 2020 continue to apply.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at [email protected])
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.27 of 2020 dated 18 June 2020