Enhanced Screening Announced for Ships from China

6/2/2020

To our Valued Customers,

 

We have received notification from the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) regarding vessels arriving in Australian ports and quarantine periods for the vessel/crew.

 

FTA advised the following from the Maritime Industry Australia Ltd (MIAL) website:

 

“In conversations with the Australian Border Force (ABF) we were advised a formal advice will be issued shortly. In the interim, we have noted on the website for the Maritime Industry Australia Ltd (MIAL) commentary as follows:

 

  • In brief, the advice for ships crew is the same for anyone else – if they have joined a ship, or been ashore in mainland China and returned to the ship from 1st February 2020, they will not be permitted to come ashore in Australia within the 14 day window from last being in China.

 

 

  • If any individual member of the crew meets these requirements, the entire crew will be treated as requiring the 14 day quarantine period.

 

 

Paul Zalai, Director FTA, has spoken with Mike Gallacher, CEO Ports Australia, and advises as follows:

 

In speaking with Ports Australia, we understand the scenario that if crew have been at sea for 14 days before arriving on our shores, then the coronavirus is deemed to be not longer a threat.

 

For example, if a vessel heads from mainland China to Sydney and the voyage take 12 days, then the vessel will have to sit offshore for 2 days before a pilot will meet them.”

 

We have also been advised that the Port Authority of New South Wales is delaying pilotage services to ships that have transited directly from China, which have been at sea for less than the 14 day quarantine period.

 

We will continue to monitor and provide updates to you. Feel free to contact your BRi Customer Solutions Representative, should you have any further queries or concerns in relation to this matter.

 

Keeping you updated

BRi Customer Solutions Team

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