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New safety measures for vessels and crew arriving in South Africa from Indian ports

TNPA has retracted Health Risk Alert 13, which prescribes additional maritime safety precautions in respect of “all vessels where the last port of call was any Indian Port”. TNPA has advised all stakeholders that Health Risk Alert Notice 12, which sets out general safety measures prescribed for vessels making use of South African ports, dated 9 March 2021, remains in force.

In practical terms, this means is that the safety measures apply to all ships and that there are no specific additional requirements and safety measures that apply to ships that have sailed from an Indian port.

Notably:

• Masters of all vessels are required to make accurate maritime declarations to the authorities of the health and well-being of all on board; declare those crew who joined the vessel in the last 30 days together with their transit points, and whether there are any stowaways on board.
• False declarations will be viewed in a serious light and reported to SAMSA and Port Health for further action.
• Foreign crew changes are still permissible, subject to the condition stipulated in SAMSA MN 47 of 2020.
• All signing off crew must undergo a proper COIVD-19 test prior to arrival at any airport.
• All signing on crew must either have a PCR or COVID-19 test prior to joining the vessel.
• The Master must keep a medical log of daily temperatures and screenings of all persons on board.
• All persons embarking or disembarking vessels must undergo temperature tests, complete COVID-19 declarations, wear PPE and practise physical distancing.
• Passenger ships are only permitted to call at a South African port to replenish fuel, stores, provisions and to undergo repairs. Shore leave of those on board passenger vessels, crew and passengers, is strictly prohibited.   
• Disembarking of returning South African citizens and holders of South African permanent residence permits are permitted.
• Medical evacuations are permitted.
• Search and rescue activities are permitted.

The list of requirements and the current safety measures for port users are listed in TNPA Health Risk Alert Notice 12. 

 

For more information, please contact:

Jacqui Kaufmann

Shipping and Logistics | Executive

jkaufmann@ENSafrica.com

+27 82 788 0244