COVID-19 - China update

Ships calling ports in China are facing strict COVID-19 restrictions to prevent the spread of the pandemic. The restrictions differ from port to port depending on the local situation. Often the localized outbreaks have led to regional lockdowns, delays, port congestion and difficulties in arranging essential shore personnel to board ships. Due to the unfortunate situation it is also becoming difficult to carry out crew changes.

To ease the situation, the government has recently published circular 136 of 2021

We would like to thank our correspondent Oasis P&I for this information. Their circular 2109 is available here. 

The Chinese Ministry of Transport has established a special task force team to assist with crew changes of Chinese seafarers onboard foreign ships. This notice is addressed to The Provincial Department of Transportation of Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Chongqing, Yunnan and the various MSA branches. The special team will assist in the crew change of Chinese crew members on international voyage ships calling Chinese Ports.

All shipping companies, crew service agencies, shipping agencies and Chinese crew members on international voyage ships who encounter difficulties and problems in the compliance with crew change in Chinese ports can report to this special team which will promptly communicate with relevant departments and local governments and strive to promote the resolution of related issues. The special team can be contacted on:

Phone Line: +86-10-65299809; Email: cyhb@msa.gov.cn

More information is available in the below attachments (in Chinese)

Category: COVID-19