In considering steps to manage risks of COVID-19 exposure, stevedoring and other port operators should be aware the Australian Border Force has imposed a number of requirements on maritime crew on commercial vessels, who are exempt from the mandatory 14 day quarantine period.
Under these arrangements, commercial vessels (excluding cruise ships) may berth in Australia at any time, however if the vessel arrives within 14-days from their last international port of call the following restrictions apply:
- All crew must remain on-board while the vessel is berthed in Australia.
- Crew are able to disembark to conduct essential vessel functions, however, crew must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing these functions.
- Crew should restrict their interaction with non-crew members to those interactions that are critical to the safe operation and loading/unloading of the vessel.
- Crew must also use PPE in public spaces on board the vessel while non-crew members are on-board.
These restrictions apply until 14 days has elapsed since the vessel departed the last foreign port before Australia, and where there are no reports of crew being or having been unwell, nor a suspected case of COVID-19 on-board.
For further information on these arrangements please refer to the Australian Border Force advice.
If stevedoring or other port operators observe maritime crew not adhering to these restrictions, operators should request that the maritime crew and their company comply with the restrictions and requirements. If non-compliance continues then operators should notify the relevant authority (such as biosecurity officers at the port) and cease work associated with the vessel where thee non-compliance is presenting safety risks to workers.
Separate to the measures required of maritime crew, stevedores and port operators must also take measures to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to COVID-19.
In considering steps to manage risks of COVID-19 exposure, stevedoring and other port operators should be aware the Australian Border Force has imposed a number of requirements on maritime crew on commercial vessels, who are exempt from the mandatory 14 day quarantine period.
Under these arrangements, commercial vessels (excluding cruise ships) may berth in Australia at any time, however if the vessel arrives within 14-days from their last international port of call the following restrictions apply:
- All crew must remain on-board while the vessel is berthed in Australia.
- Crew are able to disembark to conduct essential vessel functions, however, crew must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing these functions.
- Crew should restrict their interaction with non-crew members to those interactions that are critical to the safe operation and loading/unloading of the vessel.
- Crew must also use PPE in public spaces on board the vessel while non-crew members are on-board.
These restrictions apply until 14 days has elapsed since the vessel departed the last foreign port before Australia, and where there are no reports of crew being or having been unwell, nor a suspected case of COVID-19 on-board.
For further information on these arrangements please refer to the Australian Border Force advice.
If stevedoring or other port operators observe maritime crew not adhering to these restrictions, operators should request that the maritime crew and their company comply with the restrictions and requirements. If non-compliance continues then operators should notify the relevant authority (such as biosecurity officers at the port) and cease work associated with the vessel where thee non-compliance is presenting safety risks to workers.
Separate to the measures required of maritime crew, stevedores and port operators must also take measures to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to COVID-19.