in International Shipping News 29/12/2021
This BIMCO COVID 19 weekly report for the week ending 24 December covers the World Health Organization (WHO), Brazil and the latest from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Every week, BIMCO summarises measures imposed by governments for sea transport, including for crew change, as well as updates from United Nations bodies such as the IMO, WHO and International Labour Organization (ILO).
1. World Health Organization (WHO)
On 10 December, WHO issued a global technical brief and priority action required for Member states to enhance readiness for Omicron ( B.1.1.529), of which WHO has given an overview. The overall risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron remains very high for a number of reasons and also due to the fact that the global risk of COVID-19 remains very high overall. A risk-based approach to adjust international travel measures in a timely manner is recommended and efforts to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination coverage as rapidly as possible should continue. See WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant  for additional information.
Please see BIMCO-WHO for more information.
2. Government States
Brazil
According to information from Williams Report provided to BIMCO by Westshore Shipbrokers are the following crew change restrictions in place:
• Crewmembers holding Vaccination card / passport:
• TCSV signed by the medical company (authorized by ANVISA)
• Declaration of quarantine + temperature (last 14 days)
• Medical Log Book (last 30 days)
• Medical Report (clinical evaluation carried out on board)
• RT-PCR performed on board, within 72:00 hours prior to disembark OR Antigen (within 24:00)
• Vaccination card / passport
• Accommodation is allowed / authorized – if necessary
• Proceed to International Airport x boarding an international repatriation flight
• If no vaccination card / passport:
o Ship that has not called any foreign port in the last 14 days:
• TCSV signed by the medical company (authorized by ANVISA)
• Declaration of quarantine + temperature (last 14 days)
• Medical Log Book (last 30 days)
• Medical Report (clinical evaluation performa carried out on board)
• RT-PCR performed within 72:00 hours prior to disembark OR Antigen (within 24:00)
• Accommodation is not allowed
• Crew must proceed to International Airport to boarding an international repatriation flight: on the same day of disembarkation.
o Vessel that called a foreign port in the last 14 days:
o Crew change is allowed only holding a proof of vaccination.
3. Others
No information for the current week
4. IMO
The below circulars represent the latest information to-date from the IMO.
• Addendum no. 35/rev. 8, issued on 13 October 2021, provides a consolidated list of the IMO members that have so far notified IMO on their designation of seafarers as key workers to-date with the latest additions of Bulgaria and Pakistan. The full list is shown below:

• Addendum no.42 to IMO circular no. 4204 “Coronavirus (COVID-19)” issued on 17 September 2021 relating to joint IMO/ILO statement on upholding medical assistance obligations to seafarers and accelerating seafarer vaccination programmes.
• Addendum no. 43 to IMO circular no 4204 “Coronavirus (COVID-19)” issued on 1 November 2021 offering a list of global ports offering vaccinations for seafarers.
5. IMO Crew Change – National Focal Point for Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers
According to GISIS today, the list of countries (46) informing the IMO of their national focal point of contact for crew change and repatriation of seafarers are: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Cook Islands, Cyprus, Dominica, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Libya , the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Singapore , Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand , Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Vanuatu.
6. BIMCO
BIMCO General COVID-19 Links
BIMCO is continuously monitoring COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on the shipping industry in particular on crew changes. Below are some of the type of information currently being provided by BIMCO :
• Details about implementation measures imposed for sea transport
• Overview of challenges to crew mobility
• Overview of extensions and exceptions to seafarers’ certificates
• COVID-19 seafarers’ mental health
You can also view all information on our COVID-19 landing page.
Source: BIMCO
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