Chinese Visa Application G-transit visa for seafarers - Letter of Invitation for Joining Crew NOT Required.

Sample Chinese Visa Type G Transit for Seaman / Seafarers

Please take note that visa applications send by shipping agencies at the Chinese Embassy starting January 2013 will no longer be lodged in the visa counters.  There is a drop box inside the Chinese Embassy which authorized representatives may drop their respective applications.  In this regards, complete set of application with requirements as follows are strictly needed, otherwise incomplete requirements may cause refusal or delay of visa processing.

Requirements for G-transit visa for seafarers:

Port of Vancouver BC, Canada - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Port Information

Vancouver Port, Canada
Source: Port of Vancouver, Wikipedia

The Port of Vancouver was the name of the largest port in Canada, the largest in the Pacific Northwest, and the largest port on the West Coast of North America by metric tons of total cargo, with 76.5 million metric tons.[1] The port amalgamated with the Fraser River Port Authority and the North Fraser Port Authority in 2008 to form Port Metro Vancouver.

Vancouver is the 50th largest port in the world.

Port Name      :  Port of Vancouver BC
Country          :  Canada

Nearest Airport (International)   :  Vancouver International Airport

Estimated time of travel from airport to seaport: It is approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs transit to vessel at berth

Port of São Francisco do Sul, Brazil - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Port Information

The Port of Sao Francisco do Sul is a small port in São Francisco do Sul municipality in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.

Port Name      :  

Sao Francisco do Sul

Country          :  

Brazil

Nearest Airport (International) :  

Guarulhos Intl Airport (GRU) at São Paulo City

Nearest Airport (Domestic)        :   Curitiba (CWB) Domestic Airport or the Afonso Pena Airport

Estimated time of travel from airport to seaport:  No data

The very first brazillian airport is Guarulhos (GRU) placed at São Paulo City, when crewmembers will arrive and after all formalities, they will take a domestic flight to Curitiba (CWB). From Curitiba, a driver will bring them to the hotel at São Francisco do Sul where they will wait for the vessel to board or they will directly board the vessel depending on berthing schedule.

Possible Flight Route: Sample Only

Port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Port Information

Port of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Source: World Port Source

Located in Downtown neighborhood, the port of Rio de Janeiro is the third busiest port in Brazil. The port runs from the Maua Pier to the Wharf of the Cashew. It covers 7 thousand meters of wharf and a pier that extends 883 meters. The Rio port consists of the Maua Wharf, Wharf of Gamboa, Wharf of Are Cristovão, Wharf of the Cashew and the Terminal of Manguinhos.

Port Name      :  Rio de Janeiro

Country          :  Brazil

Nearest Airport (International) :  GIG (Galeão Airport) - Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport

Estimated time of travel from airport to seaport: About 30 to 40 minutes away from the airport (without traffic)

Possible Flight Route: Sample Only

JOINING CREW - MANILA to GIG

VIA EMIRATES (EK)

FLIGHT#  ROUTE     ETD / ETA

EK  335  MNL/DXB   2325  0415+1

EK  247  DXB/GIG   0710  1430          

REPATRIATING CREW -GIG TO MANILA

VIA DELTA AIRLINES(DL)

FLIGHT#  ROUTE     ETD / ETA

DL  060  GIG/ATL   2200 0658+1

DL  295  ATL/NRT   1116 1435+1

DL  181  NRT/MNL   1600 1955           

LEGEND:

MNL - MANILA, PHILIPPINES

ATL -  ATLANTA, GA

NRT - TOKYO NARITA, JAPAN

GIG - RIO JANEIRO GIG, BRAZIL

DXB - DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMI

Visa Requirement for Filipino Seaman / Seafarer: No visa required. OK TO BOARD & Guarantee Letter only.

Seaman´s Book and Passport is mandatory.

Sample Letter to Brazil Immigration Authorities - Seaman Traveling in Transit & Letter Confirmation of Brazilian Airport Regulations

This sample letter is related to Filipino Seaman / seafarer joining various ports in Brazil. Sometimes, Brazil Immigration Authorities look for signed proof from ship manning agent in the Philippines that joining seafarers are seaman travelling in transit. There are also instances that airport immigration officers or airline companies require the signed "Seaman Confirmation of Brazilian Airports Regulations"

Below are Sample Letters for reference. Please feel free to copy or edit:

Sample Letter: Confirmation of Seaman Traveling in Transit

Note: Letters must be printed in official Company Letterhead

Singapore Kampong Glam Ignites with Passion

Passion@KampongGlam is a lively series of fun weekend activities from 5 October 2018 -- 17 March 2019

The historical precinct of Kampong Glam will soon be pulsating with an exciting series of fun and entertaining activities for both tourists and local residents from 5 October 2018 to 17 March 2019.

Deeply rooted in the colonial history of Singapore, Kampong Glam serves not only as a flourishing centre of Malay and Islamic culture but a thriving tourist hub filled with an incredible mix of inspiring personalities, interesting shops, vibrant cafes/restaurants and a buzzing ambience. Passion@KampongGlam is a weekend series of experiences dedicated to bringing out the best of this enclave through a carefully curated programme of food, music and cultural activities designed to appeal to both international tourists and local residents in a six-month period.

Developed with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board's Experience Step-Up Fund, the series reflects the historical and cultural aspects of Kampong Glam in an engaging manner. Riding on the STB's new 'Passion Made Possible' brand, the series encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the experiences and integrate with the community.

"Passion@KampongGlam is more than an expression of the affection and respect for this heritage enclave. The series pays tribute to this heritage enclave with an enjoyable mix of activities to appeal to all ages," explains Benedict Choa, Founder of Passion@KampongGlam. As the co-founder of Cube Boutique Capsule Hotel, Mr Choa heads the collaborative group of partners tasked with this mission.

Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Port Information

Port of Zeebrugge, Belgium
Photo Source: Zeebrugge Website

The Port of Zeebrugge (also referred to as the Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge or Bruges Seaport) is a large container, bulk cargo, new vehicles and passenger ferry terminal port in the municipality of Bruges, Flanders, Belgium, handling over 50 million tonnes of cargo annually.

The Port of Zeebrugge is part of the City of Bruges. The connection to the sea  is a thread in the rich history of the city. Zeebrugge is a world port where cargo is shipped to and from all continents. The port of Zeebrugge employs more than 10,000 people and welcomes approximately 8,000 vessels every year.

Port Name      :  Zeebrugge

Country          :  Belgium

Website          :  https://www.portofzeebrugge.be/en

Nearest Airport (International)   :  Brussels Airport

Estimated time of travel from airport to seaport: +/- 1.5 hrs from port to airport

Possible Flight Route: Sample Only

Hay Point Coal Terminal, Australia - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Port Information

Port of Hay Point, Australia.
Source: The Mackay Region

Hay Point Coal Terminal comprises 3 x berths and 3 x shiploaders where each vessel will be allocated 1 x shore side ship loader at effective load rate 6000 mt per hour. Port and berth is deep drafted and successfully loads large cape size 180,000 DWT. Any Passage though Torres Strait is tidally draft restricted to 12,2 metre MSD , else vessel may sail out via Hydrographers Passage with compulsory pilot Aud 8900 net per transit, or may deviate 14 hours north and exit reef via Palm Passage by Master self pilot as permitted basis all charts on board.

Port Name    : Hay Point Coal Terminal , near Mackay QLD

Country        : Australia

Nearest Airport (Domestic)        : Mackay domestic airport

Nearest Airport (International)  : Brisbane

Estimated time of travel from airport to seaport (vice versa): Allow ½ hr at Airport , 1 hr travel, + ½ hr at Terminal to board = say total around 2 hrs

Estimated time of travel from seaport to anchorage via helicopter: Allow ½ hr at the Airport / transfer + 20 mins heli ride = say abt 1 hr

To meet and transfer any crew from Mackay domestic airport to local heli pad is Aud $ 120 office day light hours week day and Aud $ 240 if weekend or holiday - day light Heli transfer only. Arrange International flight to Brisbane where there are 4 connecting domestic morning flights Brisbane to Mackay daily. 

Local Mackay is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and accommodation is about Adlr $ 420 per night per man incl meals but accommodation is extremely difficult to obtain in holiday and summer season 1 December to February.

Helicopter charter costs to connect crew or charts at anchorage Aud $ 1800 per 40 minute trip max 3 passengers and max 300 kg including luggage. Launch service is NOT available at this open sea port / private coal terminal facility.

Australian Immigration officers are required to attend to inspect the luggage of any off signer and if the flights booked by your office do eventuate in overtime hours or weekends the Govt will levy a $ 350 surcharge for their inspection service.

Port of Albany Australia - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Information

View of the Port of Albany from Mount Melville.
Source: Wikipedia

Albany Port was the first Port in Western Australia. The port is located on the north shore of Princess Royal Harbour,with port waters and seabed extending throughout Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound as far as Bald Head, Breaksea Island light and Herald Point.The Sound and two natural harbours adjoining it make this area a safe haven for ships and an ideal location for a port.

Today Albany is a bulk products port, with the main trades being the export of grain and woodchips. Other smaller trades are the export of silica sand and the import of fertiliser and fuel. Total yearly trade is strongly influenced by seasonal conditions and the resulting impact that has on agricultural production. Annual trade can therefore vary between 3 million - 4 million tonnes. Source: Albany Port Authority

Port Name  : Albany

Country      : Australia

Nearest Airport (Domestic)       : ALH - ALBANY AU, AUSTRALIA

Nearest Airport (International) : PER - PERTH, AUSTRALIA

Estimated Distance from Airport to Port : {to be updated}

Abbot Point Australia - Filipino Seaman Crew Change Guide & Information

Abbot Point Australia
Source: Maritime Safety Queensland

The port of Abbot Point, situated 25km north of Bowen, is owned by Adani and operated by Abbot Point Bulk Coal, a subsidiary company of Glencore. Annual capacity for the port is currently 50 million tonnes per annum.

The port has one off-shore berth serviced by a conveyor system 2.75km from the stockpiles and a ship loader with a loading rate of over 6000 tonnes per hour.

Port Procedures and Information for Shipping – Abbot Point - See Maritime Safety Queensland

Port Name: Abbot Point

Country    : Australia

Nearest Airport: Mackay Airport (MKY), Townsville Airport (TSV) or Proserpine Airport (PPP)

Abbot Point Kilometer Map: Nearest Airport Options

Fastbooking and Triptease Reveal the Fundamentals of Guest Behaviour and Web Optimisation in the Asia Pacific

New white paper explores parity to personalisation and how they can be used to maximise direct bookings.

Fastbooking, leading-edge e-commerce solutions specialist for independent hotels and regional chains and Triptease, award-winning provider of industry-leading Direct Booking Platform, today announces the release of their joint white paper, "Maximise Conversion by Understanding your Guest." This white paper provides an in-depth view of the Asia Pacific online booking market, based on close analysis of approximately 500 Fastbooking hotel chains. It also aims to help hoteliers to understand the fundamentals of guest behaviour and web optimisation in the Asia Pacific.

This report provides a comprehensive understanding of:

• The importance of parity
• Learning from guest behaviour to optimise your website
• How booking engine conversion rates and booking value are impacted by lead time
• How guest booking behaviour varies by device

From our findings, hotels in Asia Pacific are undercut 30-40% of the time have a 31% lower rate conversion on their website. That's a huge swathe of revenue missed out if hotels do not tighten up on parity. 

Getting familiar with your website performance data is key to the process of optimising your site and driving direct bookings. This will also allow you to tailor compelling content to the guests most likely to convert.

Fastbooking and Triptease will also be sharing best practices to hoteliers on 18 October 2018 @ Google Asia Pacific. Complimentary registration online at www.hoteldigitallab.com/singapore.

Ultimate Local Indulgence in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po

Discover Hong Kong's living culture through the lens of an award-winning videographer.

Sham Shui Po – Man Fung Building

Behind skyscrapers and shopping malls, there is another world to explore in Hong Kong. Look beyond the established attractions to Sham Shui Po -- an eclectic neighbourhood where every street corner exudes the sheer essence of daily lives.

You can happily lose yourself for hours in the enticing bustle of Sham Shui Po. But the experience is now compressed into a fascinating two-minute time-lapse video Immerse Yourself in Sham Shui Po like Locals Do. The local resident and award-winning videographer Alex Rodriguez has been invited by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to present Sham Shui Po's best-kept secrets from the perspective of a gaai fong (local inhabitant).

Explore the Wonders of Hong Kong from sky100 with the Opening of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link

The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) will open on 23 September, connecting Hong Kong to China's 25,000-kilometre trans-national high-speed rail network. This vast network offers direct trains to 44 destinations across the mainland, including six short-haul destinations in Guangdong Province, and 38 long-haul destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai and Changsha.

Located just 10 minutes' walk from XRL's Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, and only two stops from Hong Kong International Airport via the Airport Express Link, sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck (sky100) is the natural first stop for both inbound and transit visitors. Situated directly above Kowloon Station, sky100's superb accessibility makes it the perfect choice for kick-starting a Hong Kong adventure or as the final stop before continuing a multi-destination rail journey across China.

Dorsett Wanchai Launches the “Dorsett Little Artist” Family Package

"A holiday is no longer just a relaxing and fun experience. To make a family holiday even more meaningful, Dorsett Wanchai has combined art and charity to cultivate creativity, and to encourage children to share their love with people in need while vacationing"  

The award-winning family-friendly hotel, Dorsett Wanchai, Hong Kong is excited to announce a partnership with Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, Genecylee Gallery and aspiring Hong Kong-based artists, to launch a charitable Fantastic 4 Family package. This package includes a stay in the newly renovated family rooms with breakfast for 4, a collection of kid-pleasing amenities, and a chance to join the charity-based Dorsett Little Artists program -- with 35% off the Best Available Rate.

Let Art and Charity Be the Source of Joy for Every Kid Staying at Dorsett Wanchai    

"As a family-friendly hotel, we always strive to provide extraordinary hotel experiences that are different than the others through product innovations and thoughtful services. And since art and charity are something we are very passionate about, it means something more when we finally get to announce a new family package that combines all these elements to offer a vibrant and fun stay alongside art and charity; we are stepping forward to an exciting new era," says Ms Anita Chan, General Manager of Dorsett Wanchai.

“BE@RBRICK SUMMER CHILL” Summer Party at Harbour City

Over 30 BE@RBRICKS with Brand New Summer Looks & 2 Giant "Sand Sculpture" BE@RBRICKS Gathering at Ocean Terminal Deck

The BE@RBRICK crew is back in Hong Kong again this summer! Harbour City shopping mall transforms "Ocean Terminal Deck", the latest tourist attraction and observation deck in Hong Kong located at Ocean Terminal of Harbour City, into a "Beach" from 5th Jul to 5th Aug, 2018; and invites over 30 BE@RBRICKS with 8 brand new summer looks to join the beach party. The BE@RBRICKS also help to build two over 4-meter-tall Giant "Sand Sculpture" BE@RBRICKS, including one 7000% BE@RBRICK who greets all visitors at 2 sides of Victoria Harbour; and one 8000% BE@RBRICK lying on the grand steps to enjoy sun bathing. Let's join our Summer Party together and enjoy the sunshine with stunning Victoria Harbour view!

Over 30 BE@RBRICKS with Brand New Summer Looks & Giant "Sand Sculpture" BE@RBRICK Gathering at "Ocean Terminal Deck" of Harbour City

Tai Kwun and Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail: Hong Kong’s Latest Must-go Cultural Hotspots in Old Town Central

Tai Kwun, the highly anticipated restoration of the former Central Police Station compound, and the revitalized Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail, are recently the most sought-after cultural landmarks in the vibrant neighborhood of Old Town Central. Visitors are highly recommended by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to embark on an in-depth exploration of these historical and cultural attractions in this quintessential neighborhood.

Tai Kwun

After more than a decade of revitalization, Tai Kwun -- colloquial Cantonese for "Big Station" - has finally come alive amidst the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong's CBD.

Tai Kwun is Hong Kong's latest heritage and arts attraction

Chocolate Trail at Harbour City in Hong Kong - Listen to Chocolate Vinyl Records and Experience the Mini Chocolate World

HONG KONG, CHINA - Harbour City Shopping Mall hosts its annual mega event "Chocolate Trail" from 25th Jan - 25th Feb, 2018.  This year, we have collaborated with Japanese Miniature Artist - Tatsuya Tanaka who has over 1 million followers on Instagram for hosting "mini CHOCOllection" Miniature Exhibition.

Chocolate Trail @ Harbour City in Hong Kong for Valentine's Day

"mini CHOCOllection" Miniature Exhibition & photo studio