MPA Singapore Port Marine Circular No.19

The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore recently issued Port Marine Circular No.19 of 2022 which introduced a requirement for all non-vaccinated crew arriving in Singapore after 28th August to perform a pre-departure COVID test 2 days before arrival and hold valid travel insurance which covers them for all COVID risks. 

With ship owners' P&I policies covering their liabilities arising from their crew contacts, this presented complications for employers as very few seafarers signing on or off of ships in Singapore hold individual travel insurance policies to fulfil this requirement. 

Following recent exchanges and lobbying to the MPA and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), it has now been confirmed that a valid Certificate of Entry from a P&I Club will be recognised in lieu of travel insurance documents for non-vaccinated seafarers.