Crew change procedures

The following procedures are in place for crew changes at Malaysian ports:

LUMUT

Sign On

• Vessel arrival notification (NOA) should be sent to all port authorities.
• Once NOA is submitted to the Immigration Department, agent can apply for Letter of Guarantee (LG) through which the on-signer will be given a 30 day special pass for during arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for quarantine.
• While the on-signer is under quarantine at the quarantine center, the agent can submit sign-on application to the Marine Department.
• Once approval is received from the Marine Department, the on-signer can complete sign-on formalities at Lumut Authority once their quarantine period is complete.
• Lumut Marine Department requests that the first COVID-19 test result (upon arrival) and that on the 13^th day be attached to documentation.

Sign Off

• The off-signer will disembark vessel for COVID-19 test under the government COVID-19 team.
• Once complete, the off-signer will go direct to the quarantine center. Immigration will give a 30 day special pass for the off-signer.
• While the off-signer is under quarantine, the agent can submit sign-off application with the Marine Department.
• Once the off-signer completes the quarantine period, they will be brought back to Lumut to complete sign-off formalities.
• Vessel not allowed to sail from Lumut until crew fly out after quarantine. This matter is under discussion with Lumut Immigration.

PORT KLANG

Sign On

• Approval to be obtained from NADMA, KKM, Marine Department & LPK before proceeding to apply Letter of Guarantee.
• Immigration will give LG (17 days) for the on-signer once all the below documents are endorsed by the Marine Department
  - Last port of call as per current date
  - Email approval for crew change activities from NADMA,KKM, Marine Department & LPK
• Sign-on formalities with port authorities need to attached together with below documents:
  - COVID-19 test result (1^st & 13^th days)
  - Release letter from quarantine station

Sign off

• Approval to be obtained from NADMA, KKM, Marine Department & LPK before proceeding for application.
• Off-signing crew can conduct swab test onboard the vessel awaiting the swab test result. Once the result is received, the off-signer can disembark for special pass procedure with the Immigration Department and proceed for quarantine.
• Once quarantine is complete, the off-signer will complete sign-off formalities with port authority.
• The vessel can sail out once signing-off crew disembark.
• All quarantine payments for signing-off crew can paid by cheque at Port Health Office where the crew disembark.

PENANG

Sign On

• Approval to be obtained from the Marine Department for sign-on formalities. Once approval is received, sign-on application can proceed.
• LG will be obtained from Immigration once the vessel has already arrived at Penang Port.
• The following additional supporting documents are required:
  - Covid-19 test results (1^{st & 13th} days)
  - Release letter from the quarantine station

Sign Off

• Approval to first be obtained from the Marine Department for sign-off application.
• Signing-off crew will disembark vessel for a swab test and stay on board until the result is received.
• Once a COVID-19 negative swab test result is received, the off-signer will disembark for special pass formalities with immigration and will be quarantine at a designated quarantine station for 14 days.
• Once the quarantine period is completed, the off-signer will go back to immigration department for final sign-off formalities. Crew can leave for the airport once formalities are complete.
• Vessel can sail out after signing-off crew disembark for 14 days’ quarantine at a designated quarantine center.

JOHOR

Sign On

• Obtain approval from local marine department for crew change application. Once approval is received, the LG can be applied for from Immigration Department.
• Immigration Department will give a 30 day special pass for the on-signer upon arrival at KLIA.
• The on-signer will proceed for quarantine at designated quarantine center for 14 days.
• Once quarantine is complete, the on-signer can proceed for sign-on formalities with local port authority.
• Sign-on application needs to have the following documents attached:
  - COVID-19 test result (1^st & 13^th days)
  - Letter of release from quarantine center.

Sign Off

• Approval to be obtained from the local Marine Department. Once approval is received, sign-off activity can proceed.
• The off-signer can conduct a swab test. Once complete, they can disembark vessel for 30 days special pass with Immigration Department and register for 14 days’ quarantine.
• Once 14 days quarantine is completed, the off-signer will complete sign-off formalities with the local port authorities.
• Vessel can sail out once off-signers disembark vessel for quarantine.
• All quarantine payments for signing-off crew can paid by cheque at Port Health Office where crew disembark.

LABUAN

Sign On

• Apply for LG with immigration department for on-signer crew. On-signer will endorse 30 days special pass with Immigration to enter Labuan.
• The on-signer will take a swab test upon arrival at KLIA and undergo quarantine at Labuan Quarantine Center.
• Once the quarantine period is complete, the on-signer can proceed with sign-on formalities with port authorities and proceed for join ship.

Sign Off

• Off-signer can disembark vessel for swab test and undergo quarantine at Labuan Quarantine Center.
• Once the quarantine period is complete, the off-signer will proceed for sign-off formalities with port authorities.
• Vessel can sail out once signing-off crew disembark.

BINTULU

Sign On

• Apply for LG with Immigration Department for on-signer. On-signer will be endorsed for 30 days special pass to enter Bintulu.
• On-signer must wait for approval from the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) before being allowed to enter Sarawak.
• Once approval is received, the on-signer will be quarantined at Sarawak Quarantine Center.
• Once the quarantine period is complete, the on-signer can proceed for sign-on formalities with port authorities.

Sign Off

• Approval must be obtained from the SDMC before proceeding for sign off application.
• Once approval is received, the off-signer can proceed for swab test and undergo quarantine at the Quarantine Center.
• After quarantine is complete, the off-signer can proceed for sign-off formalities with port authority.
• Vessel can sail out once signing-off crew disembark.
• Crew are currently not allowed for medical & shore leave without quarantine and COVID-19 PCR test.

KUANTAN

Sign on

• Approval from the Marine Department to be obtained before proceeding to apply for LG.
• On signer will undergo quarantine upon arrival at KLIA.
• Immigration will give LG (30 days) for on-signer once the below documents are endorsed by the Marine Department
• Signing-on formalities with port authorities need to attached together with below documents once the on-signer completes quarantine period:
  - COVID-19 test result (1^st & 13^th days)
  - Release letter from quarantine station

Sign off

• Approval to be obtain from the Marine Department before proceeding for application.
• Off-signing crew can conduct a swab test onboard the vessel and await the result. Once received, the off-signer can disembark for special pass procedure with immigration department and proceed for quarantine.
• Once quarantine is complete, the off-signer will complete sign-off formalities with port authority.
• Vessel can sail out once signing-off crew disembark.
• Sign Off of crew can only be done on Tuesday & Thursday.

KEMAMAN

Sign on

• Approval to be obtained from Marine Department before proceeding to apply for LG.
• Immigration will give LG (30 days) for on-signer once all documents are endorsed by the Marine Department
• On-signer will undergo quarantine upon arrival at KLIA.
• Signing-on formalities with port authorities need to have documents attached together with below list of documents once the on-signer completes quarantine:
  - COVID-19 test result (1^st & 13^th days)
  - Release letter from quarantine station

Sign off

• Approval to be obtained from the Marine Department before proceeding for application.
• Off-signing crew can conduct a swab test on board vessel and await the result. Once the result is received, off-signer can disembark for special pass procedure with Immigration and proceed for quarantine.
• Once quarantine is completed, the off-signer will complete sign-off formalities with port authority.
• Vessel can sail out once signing-off crew disembark.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Malaysia, contact GAC Malaysia at [email protected]