The ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first detected in Hubei Province, China in December 2019 has now spread across all continents, except Antarctica. The number of confirmed cases continue to rise with increasing pace and the World Health Organization (WHO) considers the risk of spread and the risk of impact of COVID-19 at a global level to be very high.
These are challenging times, for the maritime industry and the society at large. Seafarers in international trade are constantly facing the risk of being infected by COVID-19 and measures implemented by some countries to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 bring serious operational consequences for ships and crews.
We would like to emphasise that Gard is guided by the views and recommendations issued by the WHO, IMO, flag states, and other expert agencies in respect of this outbreak. As the situation evolves, so will recommendations and measures to prevent and reduce spread of the infection and we advise Members and clients to remain vigilant.
Below we have provided links to some relevant websites and guidelines that may assist ship operators, masters and crews to stay alert and prepare and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
General information and advice
For the latest official information and advice related to the COVID-19 outbreak, we recommend consulting the following organizations’ websites dedicated to COVID-19:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Geographical information and advice
We strongly recommend that ship operators and masters, well in advance of arriving at any port, seek guidance from local port authorities and ships’ agents on restrictions and other preventive measures currently in effect. However, the following sources of information may be useful when assessing the situation:
- The WHO’s daily situation reports describes the evolution of the outbreak and the areas affected by COVID-19 at a given time. The organization has also established a dashboard displaying the cases reported each day.
- The International Group of P&I Clubs has launched an online COVID-19 tracker to assist shipowners, charterers, operators and other parties in the maritime sector to track country and port specific advice around the world.
- Some organizations and companies, such as our correspondent Gulf Agency Company Ltd. and BIMCO, provide regular and useful updates on control measures implemented by countries and ports around the world.
- WHO’s latest updates on travel and health contains recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak
Information from the IMO
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a website dedicated to COVID-19 with advice for IMO Member States, seafarers and shipping: Coronavirus pandemic.
As Governments around the world are implementing policies and measures to protect public health and address COVID-19, it is important that these are developed without the introduction of obstacles to ship and port operations, including the movement of seafarers and marine personnel. On 27 March 2020, the IMO circulated a Preliminary list of recommendations for Governments and relevant national authorities on the facilitation of maritime trade during the COVID-19 pandemic (Circular Letter No.4204/Add.6) addressing:
- Ships’ access to berth in port
- Measures to facilitate crew changes in ports
- Measures to facilitate port (and related) operations
- Measures to ensure health protection in ports
It is hoped that these recommendations, as fully supported by the International Group of P&I Clubs, assist Governments and their relevant national authorities to take a pragmatic and practical approach to the facilitation of shipping and port operations at this difficult time.
The IMO, together with a number of industry organisations, have put together a recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Circular Letter No. 4204/Add.14 expands on the recommendations previously published and sets out general measures and procedures that should, so far as practicable, be implemented by Governments and all stakeholders concerned to facilitate safe ship crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other guidelines tailored for the maritime industry
Ship operators and masters in process of establishing onboard contingency procedures are also advised to consult the following guidelines:
- WHO: Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak onboard ships
- CDC: Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019
- ICS: Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
- EU/Healthy GateWays: Advice for ship operators for preparedness and response to the outbreak of COVID-19
It is very important ensure crew members are aware of the risks associated with COVID-19, such as how the virus can be spread and its early symptoms, precautions to be taken, as well as the myths surrounding the virus. For this, we recommend consulting the WHO’s websites:
Assessment and management onboard
To support medical officers onboard, Gard has financially sponsored the development of a simple online tool to aid the assessment and management of COVID-19 cases onboard ship. The webpage is aimed at officers who are responsible for medical treatment on board ships and mobile offshore units. Its aim is to help them assess and treat persons who might have Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
By using this link you are entering a website operated by Youwell AS, which is not owned, controlled or operated by Gard AS and/or its subsidiaries. Gard AS has financially sponsored the creation of this Covid-19 application provided by the Norwegian Centre for Maritime and Diving Medicine (NCMDM), Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital. Gard does not provide medical advice or treatment. We make no endorsements or representations about the information and services provided on this third party website, and are not responsible or liable for damages relating to the access or use of the website, including any of its content, services and the privacy policies or practices.
Gard material
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A number of government agencies, industry stakeholders and medical experts have now published guidelines providing support to operators and crews on how to manage suspect COVID-19 cases onboard ships. In this article we summarise some their key recommendations.
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Lay-up and re-activation revisited
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the maritime industry in previously unthinkable ways and some owners and operators may be forced to consider placing vessels in lay-up. As far as insurance is concerned, lay-up constitutes an alteration of risk, and owners are advised to notify us early in the planning of an upcoming lay-up period for a vessel.
COVID-19 and force majeure clauses under English law
One of the frequent questions coming to Gard Defence Lawyers is whether the COVID-19 pandemic falls within the various charterparty force majeure clauses. We are grateful to Brian Perrott, partner with HFW, and his colleagues for sharing their views.
COVID-19 – the effect of this public health emergency on charterparty terms
In this article we try to identify some of the questions which are likely to arise and address them from the point of view of the shipowner in his relations with his charterer.
COVID-19 Posters for ships
In an effort to assist in the maritime industry, in particular to protect seafarers and visitors onboard ships, BIMCO is providing free posters in black and white to be printed and used onboard at the following suggested locations:
- Shoreside of the gangway (A3 / A4)
- Shipside of the gangway (A3 / A4)
- Various locations in the accommodation (A3 / A4)
We are grateful to BIMCO for their kind permission to reproduce these posters.
