Article

New protocols to mitigate COVID-19 cases onboard


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 8 September 2020 130 -

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) issued new protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 cases on board.

These protocols aim to safeguard the health of seafarers and guarantee the safe operations of maritime trade – offering governments and the general public reassurance that seafarers can embark and disembark ships safely.

Recently, there have been concerns over COVID-19 infections on board ships, due to a small minority failing to adhere to industry guidance.

While the number of cases has been limited, newly issued protocols will provide shipowners and operators with the tools to safely manage cases on vessels. Building on previous health guidance released by ICS in May, the new protocols equip ships operators with two useful instruments:

1) A flowchart to help identify the process to follow when managing a larger number of suspected cases on vessels; and
2) A PCR testing procedures matrix to help identify what to do and when prior to boarding and if a suspect case is identified on ships.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 related travel restrictions have limited the global shipping industry's ability to rotate ships' crew. There are now over a quarter of a million seafarers stranded at sea, waiting to be repatriated.

In light of this humanitarian crisis and its far-reaching impact on the industry, ICS put forward COVID-19 health guidance in March, updated in May, to protect the health of seafarers and passengers, as well as the general public.

These comprehensive documents ensure the safe operations of maritime trade and serve as a reassurance to governments that crew change and seaborne trade pose limited health risks.

Natalie Shaw, Director of Employment Affairs for the International Chamber of Shipping commented:
‘The new protocols build on our previous guidance and should give confidence to the industry and governments that maritime trade can operate safely. Especially when there are suspected COVID-19 cases on board.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Article Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for shipping industry by ICS

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 March 2020

Thursday 5th March – The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued brand new guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The comprehensive 22-page document has been produced in collaboration with prominent international bodies.

0

Article Interview with Captain Mohamed Rafouk (Morocco), AMPA-President

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 June 2020

"We want Ports Authorities to Prioritise the Safety of Maritime Pilots"

In this interview, the President of the African Maritime Pilots Association (AMPA), Captain Mohamed Rafouk who is based in Morocco speaks on how maritime pilots in Africa have coped since the outbreak. He also talks of their interactions with Port Authorities and what their expectations are.

0

Article Belgium marine pilot infected with corona after piloted corona ship

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 26 June 2020

ANTWERP - A pilot who visited the ship Minerva Oceania to lead it to the port of Antwerp appears to have become infected with the coronavirus.

0

Video HMM Algeciras - The world largest Containervessel (24,000 TEU) today

published on 29 April 2020

A Korean shipbuilder built the world's largest container ship. The shipowner is HMM, Korea's only ocean shipping company. This giant vessel is expected to provide a much needed momentum for the Korean shipbuilding and shipping industries struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

0

Article Wärtsilä simulation technology creating an essential testing environment for smart marine solutions

by Wärtsilä Corporation - published on 26 March 2020

The technology group Wärtsilä has delivered a navigation simulator and specific mathematical models to the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in the city of Rauma, Finland. These will be used as an essential enabler in the Intelligent Shipping Technology Test Laboratory (ISTLAB) project, which aims at creating a technically precise testing environment for remotely controlled, autonomous vessels. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in the 4th quarter of 2019.

0

Video Tanker contacted embankment in Hamburg, seriously damaged

published on 7 December 2020

Product tanker NORTHSEA RATIONAL in load contacted embankment in Neumuelen, Hamburg, in the morning Nov 25, while maneuvering to berth, according to FleetMon.
It stated: “Tanker sustained serious damages to starboard bow, cause of accident yet unknown.
“She was berthed after accident, and as of evening Nov 25, remained, berthed. There was no hull breach in cargo tanks area, no cargo loss reported.”

0

Article A ship like no other: CMA CGM Jacques Saade, 23,000 TEU, LNG powered

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 23 September 2020

The CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE joins the fleet: the first 23,000 TEU container vessel in the world to be powered by liquefied natural gas.

1

Video Saab’s Port Management app streamlines Pilot operations at Flinders Ports, Australia

published on 17 August 2021

Have a look inside Flinders Ports, the gateway of trade to South Australia. Pilotage operations have become much more complex, with more and larger ships coming in. With Pilot Control Flinders Ports streamline their pilotage operations – saving them time, raising operating efficiency and ensuring safety as changes can be managed at their fingertips. Visit our homepage: https://goo.gl/bWJr3i Follow Saab on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saabtechnologies/ Follow Saab on Twitter: https://...

0

Video MV Galicia Drops off the Cherbourg Pilot, 28/10/22

published on 15 November 2022

The pilot leaps to his boat accompanied by claps and exclamations of; "Bravo!".

0