STOP PRESS ADVICE 4B/2020 UPDATE ON MEASURES IN THE MERCHANT MARINE SECTOR
STOP PRESS ADVICE 4B/2020
MAY 2020
MEASURES TAKEN IN THE MERCHANT MARINE SECTOR DUE TO THE STATE OF ALARM TO AVOID THE SPREAD OF COVID – 19 IN SPAIN
In our previous Stop Press Advice of March, we mentioned that the Spanish Ports maintained with normality the operations that were planned, while sanitary measures were being taken in order to minimize any risk of contagion by COVID -19.
One of the measures taken that affected the Maritime Sector was that crew changes were not allowed in any of the Spanish Ports. If a change of crewmember had to be carried out due to medical reasons, immediate notification had to be made to agents so that the corresponding protocol was put in place by the Authorities. Other measures concerned the passenger / cruise vessels.
Even though Spain is currently taking steps to recover the pace of normal activities in all areas, phase by phase, these are some of the measures being currently applied in different Spanish Ports:
A)Â Â Â On-line work is allowed whenever the nature of the job/company makes it possible, as well as re-entry measures are now being implemented due to the decrease of the COVID-19 spread.
B)Â Â Â Work schedules are modified to avoid the agglomeration of people and to ensure social safety distance.
C)Â Â Â The prevention of occupational hazards remain adjusted to the COVID-19 situation.
D)Â Â Â A sanitary protocol is still being implemented in Ports to know how to act in case someone coming from a vessel and entering the Port`s premises is infected.
E)Â Â Â Â Ventilation was improved in closed spaces to allow the renewal of air.
F)Â Â Â Â Special cleaning of luggage at Ports is being carried out prior and after its embarkment.
G)Â Â Â All protocols based on disinfection through ultraviolet light, misting and spray of biocides were requested to be certified or homologated by the authorities.
Furthermore, these are some of the measures adopted that affect the Merchant Marine Sector, as it was set down  in the communication issued by the Director General of the Merchant Marine dated April 28th 2020:
A)Â Â Â The validity of the titles and certificates ending during the State of Alarm were extended.
B)Â Â Â Extension of the term of validity of the dispatches by time was granted as well as the crew signing on and off.
C)Â Â Â The inspections performed by the Maritime Administration for national and foreign ships in Spanish ports were and are suspended, unless there is a risk to maritime safety or to the marine environment or, in the case of foreign ships, if any primary issue arose.
D)   Seafarer’s circulation is allowed, so that the maritime transport services and their needs are covered and crossing borders or moving more easily through Spanish territory is now possible, facilitating accommodations and defining the required documentation to prove their condition.
E)Â Â Â Â Distance and “on-line” maritime theoretical training was authorized to approve courses.
We will be updating this information and will be happy to assist or advice you if further information is requested.
