China MSA: Guidance on the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Onboard (Version 2.0)
On 29 March, China MSA issued their updated Guidance on the Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Onboard. This is an update on Version 1.0 issued on 17 March. The UK Club’s Correspondents, Messrs Huatai, have helpfully summarised the amendments in their Circular Ref No.: PNI [2020] 05. The main amendments are the introduction of guidance on crew change operations and precautionary measures to minimise an “overseas epidemic".
If Members have any questions relating to the above Guidance, or to the Covid-19 crisis generally, your usual contact at the Club would be pleased to assist you.
Further to their recent Circular Ref No: PNI [2020] 05 bringing to our attention China MSA’s version 2.0 of their “Guidance on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 on board”, the Club’s Correspondents, Messrs Huatai Marine, have now issued a new Circular Ref No: PNI [2020] 06 providing Members with the latest update on crew changes in Chinese ports.
The UK P&I Club have received the below advice from our local correspondents, HS Corporation, regarding the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak and the affect on the region.
In response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, this Guidance has been produced by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) to support all types of ships which operate in international waters. The purpose is to help shipping companies follow advice provided by United Nations agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
From 1st March 2020, carriage ban on non-compliant fuel oil will enter into force. This means that ships can no longer carry non-compliant fuel on-board unless the same is carried as cargo. Any non-compliant fuel remaining on-board must be removed from the vessel’s fuel tanks failing which there will be a de-facto non-compliance even if such fuel was not intended to be used for consumption. The Carriage Ban does not apply to vessels fitted with operational scrubbers.
