New coronavirus guidance issued by ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has published Coronavirus guidance for the sector, to help mitigate the potential impact for crew, owners and operators.

“The guidance document has been designed to support all types of ships that operate in international waters with the most up-to-date and effective information needed to limit the spread of the coronavirus,” the ICS said in a statement.

The world’s biggest shipowners’ group advises on port entry restrictions, protective measures for seafarers, pre-boarding information and how to deal with suspected cases of infection.

It said: “Ships should develop a written outbreak management plan. Seafarers on board should have knowledge of the outbreak management plan and implement it as required.”

The guidance echoes what the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on the subject last week. The chamber developed its guidelines with support from the WHO, the International Maritime Organization, Mediterranean Shipping Company and Wilhelmsen Ships Service and others.

ICS secretary-general Guy Platten said: “It is intended to be comprehensive, but also easy to understand and implement. It will provide shipowners and operators who are dealing with the sharp end of the crisis with the reassurance and guidance needed to continue to carry out their operations.” 

Elsewhere, the seafarers’ union Nautilus International last week reported that Stena Line is requiring all of its crew to go through pre-boarding screenings, including mandatory health check questionnaire tests with a thermal scan machine.

For more information visit www.ics-shipping.org

9th March 2020