Singapore to consider crew change under special circumstances

Singapore to consider crew change under special circumstances

MPA Singapore has launched a circular providing circumstances where crew will need to disembark or embark the ship. This is a step to address the ongoing crew change problem that many seafarers face.

Seafarers | 30/03/20

The Port of Singapore remains open for cargo operations and marine services, including bunkering, ship supplies and shipyard repairs, in order to maintain commerce by sea and not disrupt global supply chains.

In addition, since the onset of COVID-19, Singapore has adopted many precautionary measures including thermal screening, disinfection of ships and safe distancing. It has also put in place procedures to quarantine ships, and treat suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.

However, due to a recent heightened risk of imported cases, Singapore introduced a slate of measures on short term visitors entering or transiting in Singapore, suspending crew change.

Nevertheless, MPA added that it understand that there would be special circumstances where crew will need to disembark or embark the ship, like:

• the crew has served his/her maximum time on board and no further extension of the employment contract is granted by the flag State;
• compassionate grounds e.g. death of family member;
•  the crew is no longer medically fit to work onboard the ship.

Under such special circumstances, cargo ships may submit their requests to MPA for consideration:

• Supporting documentary evidence, e.g. crew’s articles of agreement, doctor’s certification that crew is no longer able to serve on board the ship;
• Travel itinerary;
• Fit-to-travel certificate.

Assurance that the signing on and/or the signing off crew must be well for the last fourteen (14) days before joining or leaving the ship and has not been in contact with a known or suspect case of COVID-19 in those 14 days

MPA Singapore concluded.