Crew Change Information Latest Jul 23: Hong Kong Hub No More > 자료실

Crew Change Information Latest Jul 23: Hong Kong Hub No More. MPA spying via FB.

Posted in Maritime Security by Mikhail Voytenko

Jul 23, 2020 at 15:31.

Six cargo ships which called Hong Kong recently to change crews, outside port limits in anchorage area, were put under quarantine until Aug 3. On each of these ships one crew tested positive.

So Hong Kong Center of Disease Control grew deeply suspicious of HK Crew Change Hub scheme, and demand from Maritime Department to close the loophole of changing crews without actual Hong Kong port call, i.e. without any cargo operations to perform, during a short stay at anchorage only.

What makes Hong Kong a very convenient hub (unique for the whole region) for changing crews, is the possibility of sign-on crews arrival at Hong Kong shortly before ship’s call, without 14-day quarantine.

All arriving seamen should have valid health and test certificates, plus extra test in Hong Kong, but there’s no compulsory quarantine. If HK CDC claim is approved, it means, that HK won’t be Crew Change Hub any more.

CDC insists that crew change must be allowed only for ships which actually dock at Hong Kong port.
Interesting information or _alert_, sent by Marlow Navigation Ru to all Russian-speaking seamen employees, appeared in social nets:
Recently, Singapore Maritime Administration cancelled crew change after they spotted a photo of sign-on seaman, posted in FB, boasting his violation of 14-day home quarantine.