# COVID-19 Maritime News
**URL:** https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618
**Category:** Professional Mariner Forum
**Created:** [March 18, 2020, 10:08am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618 "2020-03-18T10:08:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 7
### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/124 "2020-08-02T15:08:14Z")
Not only American seafarers have problems due to the strict Covid-19 regulations in S.Korea.
If it is any consolation, Russian seafarers have problems too:
> **[(LEAD) Russian sailors required to submit virus-free certificate on spiking...](https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200729003551320)**
>
> (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details throughout, photo) SEOUL, July ...
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2020, 1:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/125 "2020-08-03T13:16:22Z")
More on the subject of seafarer’s mental health:
> **[Seafarers On The Edge Of Serious Mental Distress, Still Not Recognised As Key...](https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/seafarers-on-the-edge-of-serious-mental-distress-still-not-recognised-as-key-workers-report/)**
>
> The latest Seafarers Happiness Index, published by The Mission to Seafarers, has revealed the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the welfare of international seafarers and their families.
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 5, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/126 "2020-08-05T15:43:37Z")
Maersk is “Keeping the Entrepreneurial Spirit high” in these Covid-19 times:
> **[Keeping the entrepreneurial spirit high](https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2020/07/28/keeping-the-entrepreneurial-spirit-high)**
>
> Customers and society at large are showing a growing appetite for integrated transport and logistics solutions amid the pandemic, with Maersk teams finding new ways to move global trade and critical supplies.
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### Author:  [@Urs](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Urs)
#### Post date: [August 5, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/127 "2020-08-05T15:59:10Z")
What does “entrepreneurial spirit” mean in today’s ‘new age’?
Beyond what the PR-peoples always blathered about?
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 5, 2020, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/128 "2020-08-05T16:00:39Z")
You raised the question. Any suggestions??
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/129 "2020-08-06T14:55:43Z")
Not Maritime exactly, but the more suitable thread has been closed;
Could happen to a mariner though.
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/130 "2020-08-07T16:07:41Z")
Crews are finally taking actions of their own:
> **[Crews down tools Down Under - Splash 247](https://splash247.com/crews-down-tools-down-under/)**
>
> Cases of crews downing tools around the world in protest at the enforced stay onboard during the coronavirus pandemic are on the increase. Two more ships in Western Australia and Victoria refused to keep sailing yesterday in desperate bids for...
Australia is fining ships because the crew has been on board above the contract period, but do not allow crew change to take place in Australia. Now ships are blocking Australian ports.
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### Author:  [@SeaEagle](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaEagle)
#### Post date: [August 7, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/131 "2020-08-07T16:18:02Z")
One of my pals works MSC. He is over 40 days without a relief. Says his trip is the least number of days regarding a relief amongst the crew. Catch 22 situation, guys want to get back to work, guys want to get off.
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2020, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/132 "2020-08-13T13:23:08Z")
ILO has a sayso about the situation for the many seafarers that is stuck onboard ships, or ashore waiting to join ships:
> **[ILO tackles the crew change crisis - Splash 247](https://splash247.com/ilo-tackles-the-crew-change-crisis/)**
>
> The Wallem-sponsored Maritime CEO Seafarer Leader Series powered by Ocean Technologies Group has so far interviewed employers, trade unions, the secretary general of the International Maritime Organization and seafarers themselves, all discussing the...
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/133 "2020-08-14T16:39:44Z")
Ben Line Agency update their advice daily.
Here is the latest available status for selected countries:
[https://www.benlineagencies.com/covid-bla-network/](https://www.benlineagencies.com/covid-bla-network/)
To make it simpler:
> [@](#):
>
> Country
> Crew Changes
> Singapore
> Priority is given to Singapore-registered ships for sign-off crew only (i.e. without signing-on new crew). For on-signers, the approvals are granted on a case by case basis.
> Malaysia
>
> - Signing on: Subject to approval from Malaysian Marine Department and quaratine requirements. Malaysian nationals and foreign crews who reside in Malaysia for more than 30 days are exempted from quarantine.- Signing off: Subject to approval from authorities and quarantine requirements
> Indonesia
> Allowed in Batam only. Signing on is allowed for Indonesians only. Foreign crew are allowed to sign on only for national projects
> Vietnam
> Only allowed if project is taking place in Vietnam. Approval is required by immigration department.
> China
> Allowed only for national projects
> China Hong Kong
> For vessels calling Hong Kong without cargo operations (i.e. including those for bunkering, supplies, repairs, S+P Delivery etc), all crew onboard are required to carry out 14 days quarantine in port prior vessel departure.
> India
> Allowed in Kakinada, confirmed flight details are required for foreign crews.
> Thailand
> Not allowed
> Cambodia
> Allowed for signing on and off, subject Covid-19 test, quarantine and insurance requirements
> Myanmar
> Only Myanmar Crew can sign off
> Philippines
> Allowed for signing on and off in Manila only
> Korea
> Allowed for signing on and off, subject to approval, Covid-19 test and quarantine requirements. Visa application is required for on signer prior to their arrival in Korea (except those from 21 countries - please check with BLA)
> Japan
> - Signing off: If 14 days has been passed from last port call at foreign country/port, Immigration bureau can issue shore-pass (landing permission) for crew members for their disembarkation regardless of their nationality- Sign on: Crew must undergo PCR test upon their arrival in Japan and stay at designated hotel while waiting for the result
> China Taiwan
> Allowed for vessel working in Taiwan only and subject to quarantine regulation
> Sri Lanka
> Not Allowed
> Australia
> Case by case on application to authority
> Brunei
> Not Allowed
> Bangladesh
> Not Allowed
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2020, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/134 "2020-08-15T20:24:19Z")
Not only cruise ships and OSVs are being stacked because on the Pandemic. The airline industry is, if possible, even worse affected. Here is what is happening to planes that not flying:
> **[COVID-19 grounded thousands of planes. Here’s what happens to them](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/cnainsider/covid-19-grounded-thousands-planes-this-is-what-happens-airlines-13023208)**
>
> From closing thousands of window shades to keeping out tiny insects, the work does not stop for aircraft engineers just because their planes are ...
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/135 "2020-08-18T10:56:55Z")
Now Australian PSC and AMSA is disputing that it is a strike going on on the detained vessels:
[https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/australia-crew-strike-claims-refuted-crew-change-crisis-continues/?utm\_campaign=CL\_SAS\_Newswire1\_20200818\_MPC%20Code\_e-production\_E-72337\_TF\_0818\_0415&utm\_medium=email&utm\_source=Eloqua](https://safetyatsea.net/news/2020/australia-crew-strike-claims-refuted-crew-change-crisis-continues/?utm_campaign=CL_SAS_Newswire1_20200818_MPC%20Code_e-production_E-72337_TF_0818_0415&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua)
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### Author:  [@Hogsnort](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hogsnort)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/136 "2020-08-18T18:52:21Z")
Had this happen years ago with a Kiribati crew member. He had an Australian visa as ships crew but was unable to fly from Cebu to Brisbane, spend two hours in the transit lounge before a flight to Nandi in Fiji. We sent him to HongKong, Auckland then Nandi.
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### Author:  [@Quimby](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Quimby)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2020, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/137 "2020-08-19T03:31:36Z")
[https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/how-80-coastguardsmen-saved-unalaska-from-the-spanish-flu-pandemic](https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/how-80-coastguardsmen-saved-unalaska-from-the-spanish-flu-pandemic)
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### Author:  [@Lee\_Shore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Lee_Shore)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2020, 11:57am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/138 "2020-08-19T11:57:23Z")
Lessons learned from the F/V American Dynasty:
[https://www.nationalfisherman.com/national-international/why-quarantine-lessons-learned-from-the-f/v-dynasty](https://www.nationalfisherman.com/national-international/why-quarantine-lessons-learned-from-the-f/v-dynasty)
Scientists who have been monitoring immune responses to the virus are now starting to see encouraging signs of strong, lasting immunity, even in people who [developed only mild symptoms of Covid-19](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.11.20171843v2), a [flurry](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7386524/) of [new](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.01.20166553v1) [studies](https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0092-8674%2820%2931008-4) [suggests](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.14.20174490v1).
> **[Scientists See Signs of Lasting Immunity to Covid-19, Even After Mild Infections](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/16/health/coronavirus-immunity-antibodies.html)**
>
> New research indicates that human immune system cells are storing information about the coronavirus so they can fight it off again.
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### Author:  [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2020, 4:47am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/139 "2020-08-20T04:47:42Z")
Whatever it takes I wish the USA would get its shit together so US citizens could travel to other countries. I understand why many nations won’t allow US Citizens to enter and can’t say I blame them a lot.
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2020, 11:38am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/140 "2020-08-20T11:38:03Z")
Frank Coles of Wallem Shipmanagement doesn’t mince his words here:
> **[‘Our lobby is weak. Our associations are weak’: Frank Coles goes on the attack...](https://splash247.com/our-lobby-is-weak-our-associations-are-weak-frank-coles-goes-on-the-attack/)**
>
> Today is the final episode in the Maritime CEO Seafarer Leader Series powered by Ocean Technologies Group. Summing up the key takeaways from the mini-series in forthright fashion is Frank Coles, the CEO of Hong Kong-based Wallem Group. Coles does not...
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2020, 11:20am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/141 "2020-08-29T11:20:38Z")
Will this ever be solved?
Crew change is still a major problem for world shipping and seafarers:
> **[Shipping’s crew change crisis: global problem, local actions - Splash 247](https://splash247.com/shippings-crew-change-crisis-global-problem-local-actions/)**
>
> GAC’s Neil Godfrey charts the crew change crunch across the world. At ports around the world, Covid-19 has prompted the most instantaneous and staggering reordering of crew change best practice in the modern globalised era. With daily changes in...
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### Author:  [@Hogsnort](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hogsnort)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/142 "2020-08-29T18:40:11Z")
I hadn’t considered the cost of hiring American Security to man the gangway where the crew had expired visas because they had been unable to be relieved at the end of their contract.
From memory I think 3 guards were required for each of three shifts and it was a very expensive exercise.
For me it occurred when a crew member was issued a new passport that had his date of birth wrong in both the passport and his visa. He never noticed it?
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### Author:  [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2020, 7:12pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maritime-news/54618/143 "2020-08-29T19:12:11Z")
During a longshoremen strike in the 1970s an Indonesian flag ship was held back in New York for several weeks.
The Master was a 60-something years old Norwegian who had been member of a Socialist (not Communist) organization as a teenager. He was not allowed ashore and was guarded 24/7.
He was not allowed to visit his brother (who lived in Long Island) even though he offered to pay for the guards to go with him.
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