IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Good progress towards greener and safer ship recycling in Bangladesh has been reported during the annual meeting for the IMO-Norway-Bangladesh project on “Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh – Phase II” (SENSREC), held virtually (8 July). IMO and the Governments of Norway and Bangladesh took stock of he Project and discussed further cooperation.

The meeting was informed that major steps forward have been made in training for ship recycling workers, train-the-trainer workshops, awareness-raising and the preparation for a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) for hazardous wastes.  The Government of Bangladesh, through the Ministry of Industries, has already started the implementation of the TSDF Feasibility Study, using own funds, demonstrating the country’s commitment to establish the TSDF in the near future. This is a crucial requirement for the country to accede to IMO’s ship recycling convention, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

The meeting also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic situation on the project and risk mitigation measures.  Her Excellency Ms Sidsel Bleken, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, opened the meeting and highlighted the significant progress made and continuous support for the project, expressing the hope that Bangladesh would be ready to accede to the Hong Kong Convention in 2023, as stated in the country’s Ship Recycling Act.

Source: imo

As the first dozen cases of coronavirus started being recorded in Wuhan, China, the Chinese government began trying to keep tabs on the virus, looking at potential ways to contain it.

However, having registered 25 deaths and over 600 infections in less than a month, the virus was spreading too quickly and, in response, the Chinese Government decided to ban ships entering the Port of Wuhan.

Hearing this, the Singaporean government then started running temperature screening procedures at all of its port’s checkpoints and, upon hearing about Wuhan’s failure to contain the virus, several cruise liners decided to cancel their planned trips to China.

February

At the very start of February, an American cruise liner called the Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess was found to have a passenger who had tested positive for coronavirus. Entering into an extended period of quarantine, the virus spread rapidly around the ship and, within only a few days, it was shown to have the highest concentration of cases outside of China.

A week later, SeaIntelligence reported that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had caused container lines to suffer approximate financial losses between £240 million and £280 million each week due to decreased traffic. This contributed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and World Health Organization (WHO) later releasing a joint statement for “health measures [to be] implemented in ways that minimise unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade”.

March

By the start of March, the coronavirus pandemic had spread to Europe and was affecting Italy especially badly. Faced with an ever-growing number of cases, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) responded to the chaos in Europe by releasing a set of guidelines offering advice on how to manage crews and implement health practices effectively.

By the middle of March, the World Health Organization had declared COVID-19 a pandemic, leading the IMO to announce its decision to shut down its London headquarters. Meanwhile, many important meetings around the globe were either cancelled or postponed to a later date, most notably including a review of proposals to help improve energy efficiency on ships.

A day after these announcements were made, the Italian government reported its intentions to convert a passenger ship into a floating hospital. This was designed to create more intensive care spaces within its hospitals, due to the overwhelming demand the country had faced in the prior weeks and months.

Just over a week later, the United Kingdom joined a number of other European countries in implementing a nationwide lockdown and closing all non-essential business. In response to this move, a joint statement was released by the UK Chamber of Shipping, Nautilus International and the National Union of Rail, Marine and Transport Workers encouraging the government to protect the rights of national seafarers during the pandemic. This stated:

“Our members must be empowered by the government to perform the shipping industry’s key role in keeping the UK supplied with food, medicine, fuel and equipment.”

April

Moving into April, the IMO called for seafarers and maritime personnel to be recognised as key workers, exempting them from any travel bans. In a letter to the world governments, the organisation cited how important it was to keep ports open and ensure the supply chain was supported throughout the pandemic.

A week later, following on from the IMO’s letter, the European Commission decided to launch a set of guidelines which supported governments with implementing countermeasures for the shipping industry. Highlighting the importance of seafarers on the economy and keeping the world’s supply chains open, the guidelines included ‘sanitary advice, recommendations for crew changes, disembarking, and repatriation for seafarers and passengers.

Final Thoughts…

As we’ve moved forward into the future months of the year, the impact caused by the coronavirus pandemic has started to die down a little.

However, there is still a long way to go and there now remains several uncertainties left to clear up, especially related to whether many cruise liners will be able to financially recover from the outbreak. Watch this space.

Source: tradefinanceglobal

Important: please read the Federal Restrictions first and then read whichever set of State or Territory Restrictions that you are interested in as if they were one set of rules. It is meaningless to read either the Federal or the State/Territory rules in isolation from the other. So, if you are interested in say, Queensland, first read the Federal Restrictions and then make sure you read the Queensland Restrictions too.

NOTE: readers should also note that port authorities, port operators and even individual terminals may also have their own restrictions that apply in addition to the Federal and State / Territory Restrictions.

Page last updated: 10 July 2020

• Website last updated 10 July 2020: see “International Policies”

Earlier this week (from 07 July 2020) – an extensive outbreak of COVID-19 in the Australian state of Victoria has caused the authorities to impose a wide range of restrictions. Commercial mariners from overseas, or any other non-Australia resident maritime-industry participant should note the following non-exhaustive list of restrictions:

• the city of Melbourne (and part of the state outside the city) is in extreme lock down for six weeks – persons are not allowed out of their residences except for certain essential reasons
• workers in Melbourne must work from home if possible
• roadblocks have been set up international flights have been re-directed away from Melbourne
• Police checks are being carried on drivers
• the border between Victoria and the state of New South Wales has been completely closed (bar certain exemptions for e.g. freight truck drivers; a permitting/ticketing system applies)
• the border between Tasmania and Victoria has been closed
• the border between Victoria and Queensland is about to be completely closed (bar certain exemptions for e.g. freight truck drivers)
  • Maritime Safety Queensland has imposed vessel reporting protocols on ships arriving in Queensland after calling in Victoria
• the border between South Australia and Victoria is closed
• the border between the Northern Territory and Victoria is closed
• a cap has been put on the numbers of people who can fly into Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria
• Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is proposing to reduce the number of people who can fly into Australia (note: the national border is already shut, however, certain categories of people are nonetheless allowed into Australia) 

The situation is very fluid and is correct as of 10:00 am 08 July 2020. Further changes may occur overnight and / or in the next few days.

Sources: Australian Broadcasting Corporation; State & Territory Governments; Maritime Safety Queensland

To say the least, the coronavirus pandemic has been an eye-opener. The challenges of living in a pandemic world these past four months are disruptive, sad and at times overwhelming to even the strongest of people. That said, four months is enough time to gain insight and perspective into what positives can develop when the world is given a mandatory timeout or reset:

1. If there was ever any confusion about priorities before Covid-19, they should be pretty darn clear today. Family, loved ones, friends and health are all that matter in life. Regardless of what else is happening in the world, if this circle is intact, almost everything else is bearable.
2. If you do not have passion for what you do for your career or the people you work with, either fix the situation or move on. Now that we all see how fragile everything truly is, there is no excuse for not believing in what you do, especially since you are devoting such a huge chunk of your life to it. You need to be passionate about your career at a company you believe in and surround yourself with people you respect.
3. When you are not caught up in the historically normal non-stop treadmill of daily frenetic action and instead are physically isolated from the rest of the world, this can be the best way to open your eyes fully to absorb what is going on around you in terms of prejudice, inequality and social injustice.
4. We now know how much we want, need and rely on direct human contact. A warm handshake from a trusted client; a hug from a friend that you are so happy to see; a high-five from a likeminded stranger at a sporting event; a kiss on the cheek from someone dear. People need these warm connections and there is not one of us who will ever take these opportunities for granted ever again.
5. It is now more apparent than ever how many people work so hard every day to make your life more pleasant, manageable, safe and comfortable. These everyday human heroes include delivery people, healthcare providers, waiters, waitresses, busboys, flight attendants, teachers, police and firefighters, check-out people, office cleaners, transportation workers, retail sales people, and the list goes on and on. This reset must result in a kinder and more appreciative attitude to these wonderful people who are truly in the front lines of making the lives of so many others better. Kindness needs to be supplemented with fairness in sharing the wealth.
6. It is very easy now for everyone to better see and appreciate the fragility of the many institutions that are so important to our way of life. Universities, philanthropic institutions, and state infrastructure (police, fire, education and hospitals) are all currently operating in the danger zone. Commerce creates wealth, and the tax system and philanthropy help to rightfully redistribute it. We all have our role to play and it should never be more clear that paying (and donating) your fair share is not only a requirement, but also a privilege.
7. Working from home can be a tremendous breakthrough that will have positive implications long after the demise of Covid-19. It also can become exhausting, debilitating, lonely and the source of emotional duress. Like everything in life, a proper balance when the world allows will result in greater productivity, increased flexibility that should improve work-life equilibrium, broader choices in home locations, and the ability to have more diversity in the workforce based on the increased ability to be productive without leaving the house.
8. It is more clear than ever that working at a company is a very important role in society. It does not matter if it is big or small, or in which industry. When you responsibly contribute to a good company, you are helping all your co-workers that are counting on you to protect their jobs. You are also serving deserving clients and earning returns for the real people who are investors and stakeholders. When you do your fair share of work with pride, especially during a crisis, you are an integral part of keeping the economy going and allowing your co-workers to thrive monetarily and emotionally. It is very easy during good times to lose track of how important this is. When people all around you are losing their jobs, it could not be clearer.
9. Even those with the best physical stamina and the strongest mental toughness can become depleted, fragile and a shell of themselves after a prolonged period of stress. It is critical that everyone recognizes and accepts this reality and has the courage, conviction, and self-confidence to speak up when needed and force themselves to detach completely from time to time to refresh. Doing this in times like these are a sign of strength and not weakness. Being aware of others in need of a break and intervening to help can make all the difference in the world.
10. In times of stress, true character always shines. That is when it is easy to look around and see the people who are helping to bring along and support those who are having a tougher time and may be truly in emotional, monetary, or physical distress. It does not matter if these are family members, long-time friends, new acquaintances, or outright strangers. The help can be material, or just a subtle act of kindness. The magnitude does not matter, but the intent and result are capable of restoring the belief and appreciation in humanity.Source: rivieramm

As from today (8 July) seafarers arriving in Hong Kong to join ships will be subject to deep-throat saliva screening for COVID-19, as part of a wider clamp down for people exempted from quarantine measures.

The move comes amidst a local flare up of the disease with 14 new cases confirmed yesterday in Hong Kong.

The new practice will naturally be a cause for delay as arrivals intending to join their ship will have to be isolated at the owners’ expense until the results of the test are received – which may be a matter of hours to one day.

Plans to turn away arriving crew who have not been tested before setting off from home are also expected to be introduced soon. A source close to the decision said that seafarers who arrive by air to the Hong Kong International Airport will be required to have a certificate showing they have been tested. What remains at issue at the moment is how long such a certificate can remain valid.

Meanwhile there is currently no plan to mandate that seafarers who disembark their vessels in Hong Kong be tested for the virus. The current arrangement is that the crew remain on the vessel until transport is arranged for their passage to the airport.

An incident that occurred at the end of last month may have influenced the latest decision. Eleven crew members of the Panama-flagged containership, MSC Flavia, were tested positive for COVID-19, upon arrival at the port of Ningbo, having joined the ship in Hong Kong on June 24.

Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection yesterday later revealed  that of the 11 crew members, nine of them embarked on the ship from Hong Kong on June 24 with six arriving in Hong Kong from Indonesia, two from Greece and one from Croatia between June 21 and June 23.

All were declared to be asymptomatic on arrival in Hong Kong. Two of the nine cases were subsequently detected as having fever on arrival in Ningbo while the other seven were asymptomatic.