June 2020
UNCTAD and IMO issue joint-statement calling for action by government states to facilitate crew changes.
Since March, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the BIMCO port information database has been publicly open and free to use. However, as the virus gradually retreats and a new normal is expected, the general port information – including holiday information – will once again be limited to BIMCO members.
Following several discussions with the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, the administration in Hong Kong is opening for conditional but unrestricted crew change in Hong Kong.
Following a significant number of enquiries related to the recent relaxation of restrictions on crew change, the Maritime and Ports Authority (MPA) in Singapore has issued a guideline and FAQ with the aim to facilitate crew change.
Informing members of the closure of BIMCO Ice Reporting Season for 2019/2020.
May 2020
On 14 May 2020, the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury, and the U.S. Coast Guard, issued a global advisory to alert multiple industry sectors, including the maritime industry, to deceptive shipping practices used to evade sanctions imposed on Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
The information provided will be of great value in the work done to facilitate crew changes.
BIMCO continues to utilise publicly available sources to provide the shipping industry with a complete and updated overview of the impact from Covid-19.
The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) has launched a survey to obtain a better understanding of the possible link between the COVID-19 outbreak and corrupt demands faced by the shipping industry, and how such demands are affecting seafarers and vessel operations. BIMCO supports MACN’s efforts to fight corruption in shipping and is therefore encouraging members to respond to the survey.
In response to Covid-19, many countries have undertaken precautious measures such as curfew, lock down and state of emergency. For a few cases, the appropriate precautious measure was deemed to be general holidays.