Coronavirus - Updates and Advice

15 March 2020


The Coronavirus situation as reported in our News Alert of 23 January 2020 (click here) is changing rapidly.
For information on the coronavirus and developing situation, visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) website by clicking here. Daily situation reports are available here.

The International Seafarers Welfare & Assistance Network with the International Maritime Health Association has issued advice for shipping companies here.

The Club is in contact with local correspondents and we will update our web page with links to articles that may be of interest as these become available:


Argentina -  click here for Vega & Co's summary of Sanitary regulations applicable to all ships coming from abroad. The relevant forms are also available here and here

China – click here to read about recent coronavirus cases handled by Huatai (13 February); Oasis' Circular dated 5 February 2020 is available here; for Huatai's update of 3 February 2020, including a copy of the Health Declaration Form, click here; for Huatai's update of 29 January, click here; and Oasis' Circular dated 29 January 2020 click here.

India – The Port Health Organisation Circular of 9 March concerning vessels coming from affected countries is available here. For the Statement of Policy for pre-arrival preparations (23 Feb) click here.  The Ministry of Shipping’s Marine Department Notice of 27 January is available here; click here for the Notification from the Port Health Organisation courtesy of GAC (23 January). 

Jamaica – For the travel advisory from Shipowners' P&I Services dated 11 March, click here

Bangladesh - click here to access the summary of relevant notices from the Government Agencies and Port Authority from correspondents JF (Bangladesh) Ltd. The Mongla Port Authority Circular no. 10/2020 dated 8 March concerning documentary requirements is available here

Brazil – Latest updates from ANVISA  (4 February)  on arrival information is available here and generally here.  Brazmar’s update of 30 January is available here and for ANVISA’s technical note in Portuguese click here. The previous update of 26 January can be accessed here.

France - click here to access France P&I's summary of the position at various French ports (11 February).

Singapore – for the MPA’s Circular no. 2 click here; and no. 3 click here  and summary of measures (click here) courtesy of Cosmarine Consultants Pte Ltd.

Malaysia – click here for the Bintulu Port New Health Screening procedures (notice no. 6/2020).  

Pakistan -  The Port Health Establishment requires certain documents to be submitted at least 24 hours before berthing. For details contained in the letter dated 27 January 2020, click here. Click here for Port Qasim’s Circular dated 28 January 2020 for arriving ships.  

Philippines – for The Department of Health Memorandum Circular with Guidelines at all seaports dated 31 January 2020, click here. The Measures for ship operators can be accessed by clicking here.

Russian Federation – click here for the update (4 February) of the measures in place from Antarica Group.

Senegal - Ivory P&I have provided information from Dakar Port Authorities which is available here

South Africa - click here for Shepstone & Wylie's report (14 February). 

South Korea - click here for Spark's report and free translations of guidance from the Authorities (13 February).  

Sri Lanka - Intermarc Services Marine Surveyors & Consultants of Colombo have advised (18 March) that the authorities have imposed restrictions that no persons would be permitted to enter/disembark in Sri Lanka from any vessel or aircraft as of 0400hrs on the 19 March 2020 to midnight of 25 March 2020.  A copy of circular from the Quarantine Unit is available here. Furthermore ship’s crew of vessels calling into ports will not be permitted with any shore leave. All international airports in Sri Lanka have also been shut for all incoming flights for the above mentioned period.  In case of any on board medical emergencies, we feel that this may be dealt with a case by case basis and will be subject to review and discretion of authorities. The government has also declared public holidays this week in order to curtail the spread of the virus.


Turkey -  For updates from Metropole, click here (11 March) and here (4 March). Ersoy Bilgehan's client alert on the Turkish Ministry of Transport & Infrastructure's Circular of 2020/2 issued on 16 March can be accessed here.  

Uruquay –  click here to access Chadwick Weir Navegacion SA’s Circular ROU/02/90 (3 February).

UAE - Fujairah - click here to access the Notice on vessel restrictions from the Harbour Master (29 January) courtesy of Fichte & Co.

USA – For Independent Maritime Consulting LLC's Alert with reporting requirements, recommendations, and link to the US Coast Guard Marine Safety Information Bulletin of 3 February, click here.