COVID-19 Update (20 August)

20 Aug 2020 / Cape Town

PORT STATUS

  • Port is fully operation, however giving priority to vessels carrying essential cargo. The government has reduced restriction level to 2 as of the 18th August. Increasing economy activity.
  • Port operating under Maritime Security level 2. Vessels to specify on Paragraph J what they are going to do at the Port on their PAN application.
  • No persons allowed to board vessels, unless on official business and must wear necessary PPE.
  • Bunkering is proceeding as normal. Bunkers are supplied via pipeline and barge.

OPL’S / SHIPS SPARES

  • Off port limit operations are permitted only for supplying of provisions/stores & ships spares.
  • Ships spares are ongoing, however shipments need to be booked and dispatched early as there are limited flights. At this stage there are still no direct flights to Cape Town, shipments are routed via Johannesburg.

CREW CHANGE

Crew change remains restricted across all South African ports. The government has issued a notice that crew change has been permitted from 1st August 2020. However port authorities have advised until a directive has been received from their head office, crew change remains restricted. Presently there remain no international flights due to the current pandemic.

Port authorities will only permit crew change on basis approval is received from DIRCO. Approval from DIRCO can only be obtained via the embassy of crew nationality within South Africa. This approval can only be received if chartered flights can be arranged on the same day of embarkation/disembarkation. The information has been received that crew change will remain restricted until the government reinstates international travel, which is unclear at this stage.

PORT AUTHORITIES

  • The Immigrations office is open between 0700-1900lt. No attendance onboard until further notice. All arrival/sailing documents submitted to agent and submitted to immigrations.
  • Customs offices are operating between 0700-2000lt remotely. All clearances are sent via email. Electronic clearance will be issued to vessels until further notice.
  • Port Health will clear all in port vessels before any interaction with the vessel.

(For information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected])

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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