New Covid-19 procedures

06 Jul 2021 / Durban, South Africa

Due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa, and to safeguard South African Ports against the exposure by visiting vessels, it is imperative that all crew aboard vessels coming into Durban Port are tested before entering the harbour.

The below procedures are implemented by the Port of Durban from 0600 hours local time today (6 July):

FOR ALL VESSELS SCHEDULED TO BERTH AT THE DURBAN HARBOUR:
- A launch must go out to the vessel with a doctor/nurse onboard.
- An Antigen test will be conducted on ALL crew. This take approximately 15 minutes per crew member. Test results & Certificates are given immediately.
- If all the crew test negative, the Agent must send the PCR test results to Port Control to arrange the pilot to board the vessel.
- In case of positive case(s) on board the vessel will not be allowed to enter the port and must vessel quarantine at anchorage for 10 days.
- After the 10 days quarantine the vessel crew will have to undergo another Antigen test to confirm their status.
- If all crew test negative, vessel will be allowed to berth.

Launch charges to follow as the launch company needs to decide how it will be billed.

The charges for the Doctor will be as follows:
- Doctor attendance fee ZAR 3,500 approx. USD 250 per hour (once off)
- Cost of Rapid Antigen Test is ZAR 350 approx. USD 25.00 per crew member

IF A VESSEL CALLS AT OPL FOR A CREW CHANGE/PROVISION ETC SUPPLY ONLY, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE WILL TAKE PLACE:
- A launch must go out to the vessel with a doctor/nurse onboard, along with the supplies and crew.
- An Antigen test will be conducted on Offsigning crew only. This take approximately 15 minutes per crew member. Test results & Certificate are given immediately.
- If the crew test negative, the operation can carry on as per normal.
- In case of positive case(s) on board the vessel will not be allowed to carry out the crew change. Vessel will need to quarantine for 10 days

The charges for the Doctor will be as follows:
- Doctor attendance fee ZAR 3,500 approx. USD 250 per hour (once off)
- Cost of Rapid Antigen Test is ZAR 350 approx. USD 25.00 per crew member

For further details and updates, as well as 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.