The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced the conversion of three floating facilities at Tanjong Pagar Terminal into a dedicated crew facilitation center for seafarers, effective September 1. This new center will serve as temporary accommodation for crew members awaiting ship transfers, providing essential services such as an onsite medical facility and logistics for Covid-19 testing and holding.
Designed to accommodate crew members for up to 48 hours, the center will help manage mismatches in ship and flight schedules. This initiative aims to streamline crew changes while ensuring safety for both maritime operations and local communities. For departing crew members, designated holding facilities at Seacare Hotel and the Posh Bawean accommodation vessel will continue to enforce the 48-hour stay limit.
Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung emphasized the collaborative nature of this initiative among MPA, industry associations, and seafarer unions, highlighting the need for global coordination in shipping. Additionally, efforts are underway to simplify crew-changing procedures by reducing stay-home notices from 14 days to seven days for crew from identified low-risk countries, such as Brunei and New Zealand, provided they fulfill specific conditions.
The MPA has also highlighted ongoing safety concerns, particularly in light of a recent Covid-19 outbreak involving 15 Filipino crew members from a Bahamas-registered ship. Prompt action was taken to transfer these crew members to a hospital without them disembarking, illustrating the importance of preventive measures.
To bolster safety at the port, the MPA requires ships needing maintenance or inspection to notify the Port Master at least three days in advance. Enhanced precautionary measures such as disinfecting work areas are mandated prior to shore personnel boarding.
In an effort to establish best practices for crew changes, the MPA, alongside various maritime associations, has initiated the SG-Star Fund, with an allocation of $1 million. Aimed at developing solutions and standards for safe crew changes and testing facilities, this fund seeks collaboration with stakeholders in seafaring nations.
Mary Liew, General Secretary of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union, expressed that this effort would help reunite seafarers with their families, ensuring a stable workforce to maintain global supply lines. However, concerns have been raised by shipping agents about the 48-hour accommodation limit, with requests for extended stays and more cost-effective lodging options. Captain Philip Tay from Apex Ship Management pointed out that longer stays would facilitate better coordination for crew changes, acknowledging that 76 of his crew have already gone through the process in Singapore since March.
Overall, these measures reflect Singapore’s ongoing commitment to support the shipping industry amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, balancing public health priorities with the operational needs of maritime logistics.
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