Australia announces new requirements for ships arriving from higher risk locations

by The Editorial Team

November 2, 2021

The Western Australia (WA) Government has issued a notice regarding ships arriving from “Covid-19 Higher Risk Location”.

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Namely, the locations deemed higher risk are ports on the Indonesian Islands of Java, Kalimantan, the Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung Islands, Lampung and Sulawesi, for the period from 5 November 2021 until 5 February 2022.

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The WA Government also considers a ship to be a “Higher Risk Vessel” if, at any time in the 28 days before the vessel enters the coastal waters of WA:

• The ship enters a port at a Higher Risk Location;

• The ship loads or unloads anything at a Higher Risk Location;

• Any person has boarded the vessel at a Higher Risk Location.

What is more, before a Higher Risk Vessel enters the coastal waters of WA, a declaration form must be submitted to the Department of Transport of the WA Government declaring that the ship has complied with WA Government requirements. It must be made by a person authorised by the relevant operator, charterer or agent.

The prescribed format of the declaration requires that the following details are confirmed during the 28 days prior to the ship’s entry into the coastal waters of WA:

• No crew member boarded or left the ship at a Higher Risk Location;

• Any shore personnel who boarded the ship at a Higher Risk Location wore a disposable surgical mask or particulate filter respirator that covered their nose and mouth when on the vessel;

• All crew onboard the ship have received a negative Rapid Antigen Test result at the time of departure from the last port prior to entry into WA.

Furthermore, while not mandatory, it is highly recommended that the shipping industry lodge COVID-19 Management Protocols at least 28 days before the vessel’s proposed arrival into WA.

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The COVID-19 Management Protocols may be vessel specific or relate to multiple vessels owned or operated under the same corporate structure.

COVID-19 Management Protocols should include details to show the following factors are being managed to industry best-practice standards:

• Crew change arrangements

• Shore leave

• Interaction with port workers

• Health screening regime

• Vaccination status.

Once submitted, the COVID-19 Management Protocols will be reviewed and if they address the WA requirements will be approved and issued with a Protocol Record Number.