Singapore is loosening its restrictions on crew changes for cargo ships under special circumstances to support the welfare of seafarers while minimizing the risk of community breakout of the coronavirus disease.

Under a Port Marine Circular issued on May 22, the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore said MPA continued to facilitate crew change following the tightening of entry of short-term visitors to Singapore under the following special circumstances: the crew has served his/her maximum time onboard (and no further extension of the employment contract is granted by the flag State); compassionate grounds; the crew is no longer medically fit to work onboard the ship.

With the enhanced guidelines, MPA will also consider allowing crew change for cargo ships in Singapore under these added circumstances :

• crew whose employment contract has expired;
• additional crew on board whose sign-off would not affect the safe manning of the ship;
• change of crew due to the sale or purchase of ship; and
• personnel who are not part of the ship’s crew such as superintendents and service engineers.

"MPA recognises the critical role that seafarers play in global seaborne trade, as well as the importance of crew change to safeguard the health and safety of seafarers sailing on board ships," Circular No. 26 of 2020 read.

MPA said it appreciates the collaboration with shipping companies to effect the many cases of crew change. Such procedures have also allowed us to attend to crew that require emergency medical care.

The Port Authority noted that it worked closely with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), Singapore Organisation for Seamen (SOS) and the industry as well as other government agencies to enhance the existing procedures on crew change.