Ocean Freight Impact: Is Your Shipment Affected By The Coronavirus?

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The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused significant disruptions to global supply chains since it first surfaced last December. While ensuring port operations return to normalcy, authorities around the world have also implemented protective measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Here is a rundown of the latest developments in China as well as a list of control measures introduced by port authorities worldwide.

China

Port terminal activity

• Port operations remain normal
• Some carriers in Shanghai, Tianjin and Ningbo are experiencing a reefer plug shortage for import shipments

Ocean transportation

• Inland transportation
  • Some provinces and cities have restrictions on both drivers and trucks which, in turn, impact trucking services

  Control requirements – Americas

  United States

  • Vessels that have been to China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked crew members who have been in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days, with no sick crew members, will be permitted to enter the U.S. and conduct normal operations, with restrictions

  Panama

  • Vessels coming from countries or ports with confirmed cases of the virus should report their condition to the Panama Maritime Single Window (VUMPA) 30 days prior to arrival

   

  Control requirements – Asia-Pacific

  Australia

  • Implemented a 14-day quarantine period before ships from mainland China can enter ports

  Bangladesh

  • All arriving vessels with crew and passengers that have called at ports in mainland China are required to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health form

  Indonesia

  • Before berthing and entering to the port, the port authority will arrange inspection at outer anchorage for vessel and all crew members, especially vessel from or transiting through in China and any other country with confirmed cases (6-10 hours of inspection)
  • Crew members are allowed to go on shore after receiving health confirmation

  

  Japan

  • All vessels arriving from foreign ports are requested to complete a health questionnaire and submit it to the quarantine office before vessel arrival
  • No other particular restrictions for non-contaminated vessels and crew members

  Malaysia

  • All arriving vessels with crew and passengers that have called at ports in mainland China are required to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form

  Philippines

  • Lifted 14-day quarantine period for vessels that called at Chinese ports. All vessels are allowed to discharge cargoes in Philippine ports

  Singapore

  • All arriving vessels with crew and passengers that have called at ports in mainland China in the past 14 days must submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form
  • All vessels and crew members are not allowed to enter into Singapore or to transit through Singapore without inspection and approval

  South Korea

  • All vessels from Chinese ports are required to receive an on-board quarantine inspection. Free pratique will be granted after passing the inspection.
  • Chinese seafarers with a passport issued in the Hubei province, foreigners who visited Hubei, and holders of a valid Korean visa issued in Hubei are prohibited to enter Korea
  • All crew members of vessel that called at Chinese ports before Korea within their last three port calls have to be retained on the ship

  

  Taiwan

  • Port authorities will not issue temporary stay permits or entry permits to Chinese crew members of incoming ships. All Chinese crew are not allowed to disembark or embark from all ports in Taiwan.

  Thailand

  • All arriving vessels with crew and passengers that have called at ports in mainland China are required to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health Form

  Vietnam

  • All vessels calling from China within last 14 days will be isolated at anchorage for medical inspection

   

  Control requirements – Europe

  Italy

  • All vessels calling at Italian ports must ask for sanitary free pratique

  Spain

  • Maritime health declaration to be issued by master upon arrival and to be uploaded by Port web application who will inform sanitary authority

  United Kingdom

  • All vessels that have previously called at Chinese ports must submit crew list, crew change information and a Maritime Declaration of Health in advance of arrival

   

  Control requirements – Middle East

  Oman

  • All vessels are required to submit the IMO Declaration of Health Report together with the Coronavirus questionnaire and crew list
  • All crew joining from China in the past 16 days must hold a recent and valid medical fitness certificate

  Qatar

  • All vessels coming directly or having transited through China should report any suspicious medical case on board before reaching the sea border of the port
  • A Declaration of Medical Health should be submitted at least 48 hours prior to arrival

  Saudi Arabia

  • All vessels coming from China within 14 days of departure should notify the Ministry of Health’s hotline, ports and maritime authority, and the Port Control for the procedures
  • A list of past visiting ports, Chinese crew members and any passengers with the similar symptoms to the virus must be reported

  Suez

  • No restrictions, but crew change is not allowed without the authority’s approval and confirmation

  United Arab Emirates

  • All vessels coming from China will need to provide a report declaring if any crew has symptoms similar to that of the coronavirus before entering port limits