Updates to crew change regulations

02 May 2023 / Japan

Almost all restrictions and requirements for crew change operations and quarantine at Japanese ports have been lifted from 29 April.

The procedures are now as follows:

ON-SIGNERS

Before arrival in Japan
- Regardless of country/nationality and vaccination status, self-quarantine/isolation is no longer required at home country.
- Regardless of the country/nationality, PCR tests with negative certificate and vaccination status are no longer required on arrival.

After arrival in Japan
- Regardless of the country/nationality, PCR test on arrival is no longer required.
- On-signers may use public transport on their arrival, without any self-quarantine/isolation, unless otherwise any specific regulation set by the terminal and local vendors at respective ports and terminals.
- The escort service during domestic travel by the public transportation is no longer required.
- PCR and Antigen tests for on-signers are not required by Japan law prior to joining the vessel, shall be executed as per requirement by the owner, management company or its concerned parties only.
- In case the vessel is scheduled to call at ports in China within 14 days upon vessel departure from Japan, on-singers might be required to take PCR test within 48 hours prior to joining the vessel onboard at the hospital being designated by Chinese Embassy.

OFF-SIGNERS
- The vessel Master’s declaration of the off-signers’ intention to the quarantine office at 1st port in Japan during her voyage is no longer required.
- The vessel Master’s declaration of crew change being executed within 14 days prior to calling at 1st port in Japan during her voyage to the quarantine office is no longer required.
- In case Covid-19 suspicious crews onboard, the Master is to report the same to the quarantine office via agent and the quarantine office shall make instruction for necessary actions case by case.

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

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