As countries worldwide tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, the global maritime industry continues its vital role in ensuring that essential goods, such as food and medical supplies, reach consumers and medical facilities across the world. Being a major transhipment hub and international centre for maritime businesses, Maritime Singapore remains fully operational to support global trade and supply chains. We continue to uphold our economic responsibilities, while putting in place appropriate measures to protect the health and well-being of all who live and work in Singapore.

MPA's Shipping Division has been busy working round-the-clock to ensure that Maritime Singapore remains fully operational. The SRS e-bulletin shares with readers two initiatives that the Shipping Division has been working on during this pandemic.

Facilitating crew change when most ports close their door

Along with many countries, Singapore suspended crew changes during the Covid-19 global pandemic to better contain the disease and reduce the risk of imported cases. However, after working closely with other agencies to review the situation, the MPA announced on 27 March that crew changes will be allowed under special circumstances.

Efforts on allowing crew change in Singapore continue to evolve. The MPA worked closely together with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Singapore Maritime Officers' Union (SMOU), Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS), and other industry stakeholders in the Singapore Crew Change Working Group (SGCCWG) to further enhance the procedures. This includes the expanded criteria for special circumstances as in the MPA's Port Marine Circular (PMC) 26 of 2020 and subsequently the updated requirements allowing the use of dedicated holding facility and tele-medicine consultation in MPA's PMC No. 27 of 2020. The Singapore Crew Change Guidebook was published on 1 June by the SGCCWG, and the new protocols in the guidebook were developed in accordance with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)'s Framework of Crew Change Protocol and MPA's requirements. The MPA will continue to gather feedback from the industry, and understand the challenges that may arise.

The frontline officers within the Shipping Division have been working tirelessly day and night to assist the industry during these challenging times. We have facilitated more than 4000 approved crew change cases, from over 300 companies and 500 ships, in Singapore during COVID-19 period to date. Receiving positive acknowledgements from stakeholders, the officers are encouraged to continue working hard.

Along with our seafarer unions, MPA stands ready to work with the industry to protect seafarers' well-being and continue to review the crew change procedures taking into account Singapore circumstances and the global situation.

Floating accommodation to house foreign workers

MPA has been the lead agency in coordinating the floating accommodation for Singapore's foreign workers. Floating accommodations berthed at the Tanjong Pagar Terminal are being used as alternative housing for healthy migrant workers. They form part of the Government's broader plan to mitigate the spread of CoVid-19 in migrant worker dormitories. These floating accommodations currently house around 1,500 migrant workers.

MPA has been working closely with key stakeholders, including the multi-agency Forward Assurance Support Teams (FAST), PSA, Aetos, Ascott and Fullerton Health to make sure the workers are healthy, safe and comfortable. Round-the-clock medical assistance is provided, and all workers undergo health screening before moving in. Workers have access to minimart facilities and remittance services.

The Shipping Division has been actively involved in this initiative, inspecting the vessels and working with the ship owners to make sure everything was ship-shape for the residents. This includes dealing with choked toilet pipes and wonky air-conditioning.

All in all, it has been no small feat running a floating accommodation, while managing the safety, health, and well-being of the residents and staff. It is an uphill task but we will continue striving to do our best!