We have been working with over 200 members of our correspondents network to produce a comprehensive document that outlines challenges and changes for crew changes in ports.

Members are alerted to the above incident which took place on Tuesday morning, and to the potential repercussions on Members’ vessels trading to the country.

The Club is pleased to issue the following guidance from our Club Correspondent Oasis P&I regarding their circular No_2107: Updates on Chinese Ports after Recent Regional Outbreaks of Covid-19 in China.

This publication answers some frequently asked questions (FAQ's) relating to P&I Club Cover and the vaccination of seafarers.

This Guidance addresses legal, liability and insurance issues that could potentially arise for shipowners from or in connection with vaccinations of crew for coronavirus (COVID-19).

IMO Industry recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic

UK Club Correspondent Huatai Marine have provided the below Circular (available in both English and Chinese).

Hong Kong authorities had recently announced tightening measures for seafarers and cargo vessels entering into Hong Kong.

The UK Club is delighted to be a signatory on the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change, this initiative is a global call to action to address the ongoing crew change crisis.

The UK Club Correspondent, GAC Shipping Ltd, would like to remind Members of the commencement of bulk crew changes of international seafarers from 22nd December 2020, through the Offshore Crew Transit Hub (OCTH) operated by a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP).

UK Club Correspondent Huatai Marine have issued a new Circular outlining the stricter epidemic control on boarding personnel at the port of Guangzhou​.

Since early 2019, vessels calling in Dakar have been at an increased risk of Customs fines and/or detention for cargo shortages or overloading.

In a press briefing dated 21 December 2020, the Secretary-General of the IMO spoke out against “no crew change” clauses in charterparties.

​The IMO in its Circular Letter No.4204/Add.35 14 December 2020 announces that, at the time of issuing the letter, 46 States have designated seafarers as key workers.

The UK Club’s Correspondents in China, Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd, would like to alert Members to recent cases where crewmembers onboard ships were required to perform antibody testing in addition to NAT (swab) tests prior to entering shipyards in Shanghai and Zhoushan.

The UK P&I Club, has launched ‘Global Crew Change Advice’, a comprehensive manual that outlines current challenges and issues regarding crew changes in ports throughout the world.

The ports concerned have been busy putting in place the necessary measures for conducting crew change operations in compliance with the requirements laid down by the authorities.

It is reported by Chinese media that foreign crew change operations will resume in ten Chinese ports.

The International Group and its 13 constituent P&I Clubs, have become extremely concerned about the detrimental effect upon the mental well-being of seafarers as a result of the prolongation of their contracts of employment due to the pandemic.

On 24 September, the Chinese Ministry of Transport, General Administration of Customs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly issued an Announcement (Announcement of the Ministry of Transport No.