MANILA BAY CREW CHANGE GUIDE IN PORT OF MANILA - Seaman / Filipino Seafarers Crew Replacement, Crew Change Guide and Information
Interim Guidelines on Crew Change and Shore Leave at All Designated Crew Change Hubs in the Philippines
Updated requirements for crew changes in the port of Manila
On Signers
Filipino Crew = Subject to RT PCR Test and Isolation prior embarkation (crew must isolate 5 days before their swab test on the 6th day as new guidelines by Bureau of Quarantine - BOQ
Foreign Crew = -Must have 9C Visa prior arrival in Manila Port, to be secure in Foreign Service Post – FSP. Local Crew Handling Agent will provide Letter of Invitation - LOI
- 48hr valid PCR Test result
- Must proceed direct to vessel w/in 6hrs from arrival at the airport, as per Green Lane Policy
For Vessel's next port of call is Korea and China Ports in the next 28days as per requirements a negative PCR Test result within 48Hours from date collected to date of departure of vessel by the accredited licensed Covid19 testing center in the Philippines by Korean and Chinese Government. Crew Must arrived 8days prior vsl's arrival to conduct Quarantine prior performing PCR test
Foreign On signer - 9C Visa will be apply by individual crew at Philippine Embassy in their origin country, local crew handling agent will only issue Letter of Invitation - LOI
Prior flight to Manila Airport send us copy of e-ticket, PP , SB and a valid 72hr PCR test to local crew handling agent to secure Immigration approval prior their arrival at Manila Airport
Please see the updated guidelines based on IATF Resolution 159.
In reference to IATF Resolution 159 which was released on January 28, 2022, and effective on February 1, 2022.
Testing and Quarantine Protocols:
Fully Vaccinated arriving passengers:
- Negative RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin will be required.
- Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine will be further required.
- The passenger shall self-monitor for any sign of symptom for 7 days with the first day being the date of arrival and shall be required to report to the local government unit of destination upon the manifestation of symptoms, if any.
- Negative RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin will be required.
- Booking for facility-based quarantine stay : minimum of 5 nights / 6 days
- RT PCR Test: Day 5 (arrival date as Day 1)
- Check-out: After receipt of the RT PCR negative test result
- Self-monitor: until the 14th day with the first day being the date of arrival
Children below (12) twelve years of age who cannot be vaccinated shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them.
Those who are currently undergoing quarantine as of February 1, 2022 may avail of the aforementioned testing and quarantine protocols.
For purposes of validating vaccination status of international arriving passengers:
- World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis
- VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate
- National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.
Travel Advisory:
Starting February 10, 2022, the Philippines shall accept fully vaccinated leisure travelers from visa-free countries, subject to the following conditions:
- Holders of passports valid for at least six (6) months at the time of arrival, and with return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination.
- Must have a proof of vaccination against COVID-19 recognized under existing IATF regulations.
- Children below eighteen (18) years of age are exempted from the requirement of full vaccination and providing proof of vaccination status prior to boarding.
- Shall observe the existing testing and quarantine protocols in place for fully vaccinated international arriving passengers as stated in Section B of this Resolution in all ports of entry.
- The list of non-visa required countries under Executive Order No. 408 (s.1960.
- Fully vaccinated nationals shall not be included in the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation and its One-Stop-Shop.
Kindly see IATF Resolution no. 159 for reference.
GREEN LANE POLICY
GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERS JOINING A SHIP DOCKED IN THE PHILIPPINE SEAPORT FROM THE AIRPORT (Airport to Ship)
- Foreign seafarers shall be allowed to leave an aircraft arriving in the Philippines for the purpose of boarding a vessel docked in Philippine seaports, provided the following are complied with:
- The foreign seafarer does not exhibit any sign or symptom of COVID-19;
- The foreign seafarer shall, from the airport, proceed directly to the ship docked in the Philippine seaport within six (6) hours from arrival at the airport, and may not leave the same upon embarkation; however, should the given time not be enough for the foreign seafarer, the licensed manning agency should request the competent authority for an extension in cases that the foreign seafarer shall join a port outside Metro Manila; and
- The foreign seafarer shall not be allowed to stay anywhere else in the Philippines outside the airport or ship, nor are shore leaves allowed.
Off Signers
Filipino Crew = Allowed subject to immediate quarantine and must stay 7 days at Quarantine Facilities/Hotel before swab test as new guidelines by BOQ.
Please register prior disembarkation
https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/
*Off signer must register with https://ecif.firstaide.ph/for them to have QR Code as needed by Firstaide Diagnostic once they arrived at Pier 15
*One health pass QR code https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/
Foreign Crew =No Signs / Symptoms of Covid19
- Must Have 9C Crew List Visa ( Group Visa ) prior arrival in Manila Port. to be applied at FSP of your convenience, as early as possible.
- Subject to Immigration approval (2 days processing, send copy of PP and SB)
- Quarantine Approval and Certificate
- Confirmed ticket and flight sched (Please check if PCR test is required by airlines)
- Departure is within 4hrs after disembarkation.
- If negative PCR result required by airlines or country of destination, off signer subject for 10 days quarantine on the 7th day will perform PCR Testing on the 9th day result will be release, once negative on 10th day may depart Manila.
Qualified for 7-day facility-based quarantine / isolation
- Fully Vaccinated Off signers
- Day 1 is date of arrival ( except for seaport arrivals wherein day 1 starts upon hotel check in )
- RT-PCT Test on the 5th day
- Symptoms monitoring during quarantine period
- Discharge on the 8th day with BOQ Certificate
- Additional seven ( 7 ) day facility based quarantine with symptoms reporting to BOQ of optional RT- PCR testing on the 5th day
- Day 0 is last day of exposure to the covid 19 positive patient
- Discharge on the 8th day with BOQ Certificate
- If optional RT-PCR testing on the 5th day resulted positive, the additional ten (10) day facility based isolation shall be followed
GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERS LEAVING A SHIP DOCKED IN PHILIPPINE SEAPORT TO AN AIRPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES (Ship to Airport)
- Foreign seafarers shall be allowed to leave a ship docked in the Philippine seaport for the purpose of boarding an aircraft in Philippine airports, provided the following are complied with:
- The foreign seafarer does not exhibit any sign or symptom of COVID-19 and must have a daily record of body temperature for the last seven (7) days;
- The foreign seafarer has a confirmed outbound flight within four (4) hours from disembarking from the ship;
- The foreign seafarer shall, from the ship, proceed directly to the airport, and may not leave the same upon arrival; and
- The foreign seafarer shall not be allowed to stay anywhere else in the Philippines outside the airport or ship.
Please note that vessel should arrive early morning time ( 0100h – 0500h ) in order for her to sail out on the same day
Due to the increase number of vessel's calling Manila Port for crew change, vessel's turnaround time is now at 10 - 15 hours.
The number of incoming vessels in Manila Bay affects the movement of the boarding authorities (CIQ ) that will cause delay in entrance port formalities .
Bureau of Quarantine implement Boarding Formalities from 0800h to 1400H.
Vessel's arrival at anchorage cut off time at 1400h, vessel's arriving later than 1400h will be schedule for boarding formalities following day morning time.
Restricted countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Canada
- Curacao
- French Guiana
- Iceland
- Malta
- Mayotte
- Mozambique
- Puerto Rico (US)
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Spain
- U.S. Virgin Islands
Effective from January 16, 2022
Foreign crew coming from above countries not allowed to enter the Philippines.
Vessel with port of call within 14days from above countries not allowed to enter Manila
Important Note:
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| Department of Transportation Notice re RT-PCR Registration of Arriving Seafarers in Ports of Manila, Bataan and Batangas dated 12 May 2021 |
ISSUANCES RE QUARANTINE AND TESTING OF ARRIVING PASSENGERS EFFECETIVE 08 MAY 2021
UPDATES AS OF 24 FEBRUARY 2021
REVISED INTERIM GUIDELINES ON CREW CHANGE FOR CARGO AND CRUISE VESSELS JOINERS / ONSIGNERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMENDING MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2020-28 AND 29
Documentary Requirements
Specific Guidelines on Embarkation
 |
| Department of Transportation - Crew Change Protocol for Disembarking Seafarers updated as of 1 February 2021 |
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UPDATE AS OF 06 NOV. 2020
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CREW CHANGE PROTOCOL OF PORT OF MANILA -
Updates as of 14 October 2020
Click to view or download below files:
- DOTr Crew Change Protocol of Port of Manila in Response to COVID-19
- Philippine Green Lane One-Stop Shop (OSS) for Seafarers Organizational Structure
- BOQ QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS FOR ON-SIGNING CREW AT ONE STOP SHOP (OSS) PORT OF MANILA - Bureau of Quarantine MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR dated 13 October 2020 (with BOQ Health Declaration Form for COVID-19 and BOQ Quarantine Medical Clearance Form)
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Manila is the only open port for crew change at this time all over the Philippines, Please note the situation in Manila Bay presently is very fluid or changing due to significant increase in volume of ships arriving in the harbor since the port of Singapore and Hongkong has more strictly tightened its crew change protocols.
The average stay of vessels for crew change in Manila now is about 20-24hrs. Compounding this problem is the shortage of Tug Boats service. If the vessel is Light Draft that can anchor less than 5-nautical miles from the Jetty, the vessel have better chance of using Water Taxi and by this, the time for waiting is shortened. The Water Taxis operates in day time only, while the Tug Boats operates 24hrs. Pls find below preliminary basic info.
-
OPL
operation is not allowed in the Phils under PPA jurisdiction except for
life threatening exercise. Vessel Entry/ Exit Clearance is required.
-
Anchorage area for deep draft vessels is around 10 miles from the landing area. Tug boat travel time takes around 1.5 to 2 hrs.
-
BOQ
Doctor (2) start going through the vessel from 0600 hrs until around
1700 hrs for clearance. Interval between ships around 1 to 1.5 hrs
-
Depending
on your arrival time, vessels follow “first come first serve” queuing
sequence starting from the unserved vessel the previous day.
-
Vessel arriving morning of same day can expect 5-6 hrs before BOQ board for clearance.
-
Tug
Service queuing makes the long wait of the whole operation due to
limited number of tugs, long travel time back and forth, tugs sometimes
waits for the off-signers to
disembark, Tug boats has also their own pre-departure protocols from
landing adding more delay to their service.
-
Light
draft vessels can come close within 4 miles to the landing area and can
have a shorter port stay as it can be access by small water craft
service.
Depending on the handover and activity period of the vessel, we can fairly estimate a total of around 15 – 18 hrs port stay for the whole crew change at this time due to congestion.
Manila is in General Community Quarantine status where population movement and other non-essential activities are still under police control.
Delivery of spares requires 3 days lead time and can only be cleared from customs once vessel been declared to be “arrived”. Stores / provisions can be delivered but requires sufficient lead time (4-5). Owner can contact direct to suppliers.
CREW CHANGE
Non-Fil Off-signing
Non-Fil crew are allowed to sign-off but would require 4 days notice to Dept. Of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and is required to have a confirmed flight going straight from the vessel to the airport.
Special attention should be given to Airline that requires RT-PCR Test results before boarding. Foreigner should NOT be booked on this flight as test results takes 3-5 days. Otherwise pls forego the plan of foreign off-signer.
For efficient coordination we need at least minimum 5 days Notice as we need to inform Authority 4 days before arrival specially if foreign off-signers is involved.
Non-Fil Signing ON – Phil Ports
Effective today this has now been allowed with limitations and restrictions.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN CREW JOINING PHIL. PORTS
-
9C
Visa – To be applied in foreign Phil consular office covering the area
where the crew lives. TSM Ship Agency will provide LOI upon request.
-
COVID 19 RT-PCR Negative Results, tested within 72 hrs prior arrival Phil Airport.
-
DFA
Exemption Clearance from Ban - Notice to Immig. – submit Biopage of
Pport / Seaman’s Book and confirmed flight details 3 days before
arrival.
COVID 19 TESTING REQUIREMENTS:
For Filipino On-signers, authority (Immig / Qaurantine) requires RT-PCR Test Results at least 2 days before joining date as Crewing will need this to apply for Immigration Clearance one day before vessel arrival otherwise vessel will be subjected to delays.
For Filipino Off-signers, Crew will be transported to local accredited quarantine facility by car.Manning Agency to inform Phil Coast Guard (PCG) by mail and by phone and request for SWAB TEST at the hotel otherwise you will need to transport the crew to testing facility. Agency service ends at the hotel. Crew can go home once negative results is received. For positive results, Manning Agent to inform DOH, RESU, LGU. Gov’t will bring patient to quarantine facility (for asymptomatic) or hospital (with symptom).
Pls NOTE Swab Testing coordination should be done by Manning Agency.
For PDE / cost quotation pls provide vessel particulars (with GRT) and number of crew signing ON and OFF.
Should appointment is confirmed we will provide more detailed info including procedures and processes and instructions to Master. Meantime pls provide the following for our quick reference: GRT, Max Arr. Draft, LOA =====================================================
IMPORTANT REMINDER TO CREWING:
PREVIOUS EXPEREINCE ON VESSEL’S DELAY ARE MOSTLY ATTRIBUTED FROM DELAY OF SUBMISSION OF COVID RT-PCR TEST RESULT. THIS HAS NOW BECOME THE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS BEING REQUIRED BY EVERY GOV’T AGENCY BEFORE WE CAN PROCEED TO NEXT LEVEL OF CLEARANCE PROCESS FLOW.
WE STRONGLY SUGGEST TO HAVE THIS COVID TEST RESULT 2 DAYS BEFORE VESSEL’S ARRIVAL – LATEST BEFORE THE END OF OFFICE HOUR FOR YOUR IMMIG CLEARANCE APPLICATION NEXT DAY.
REMEMBER AN HOUR DELAY ON VESSEL’S STAY CAUSES THE OWNER SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY AGAINST THE SAVING OF ONE NIGHT HOTEL STAY.
FOR SAFE ESTIMATE ON SWAB TEST 5 DAYS BEFORE VESSEL’S ETA IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Source: Crew change status report of a crew handling agent in Manila of agency, Tara Trading Shipmanagement Inc., as their Principal wish to deviate their vessel to Manila for crew change purpose only. the Agent’s reply is self explanatory and very informative as to present situation in Port of Manila.
Shared By: Philippine Association of Manning Agencies & Shipmanagers, Inc. (PAMAS) and
International Maritime Association of the Philippines, Inc. (INTERMAP)
RELATED MEMORANDUM: GUIDELINES FOR BOARDING
Philippine Port Authority - Boarding Guidelines
Documents needed during port entrance formalities prior vessel’s arrival in Manila anchorage:
1) Original Last port clearance
2) Maritime Health Declaration
3) 6 copies Arrival Crew list
4) 6 copies Port of calls
5) 6 copies Ships Particular
6) 6 copies NIL List
7) 6 copies Crew effect declaration
8) 6 copies Provision list
9) 6 copies Store list
10) 6 copies Engine list
11) 4 copies arrival condition report
Prepare and photocopy your SSCEC and Chest X-Ray Certificate just in case Quarantine doctor will ask you during our port formalities.
Note : Please be advised that all documents should have ship’s stamp with master’s signature.
Certification Letter of Crew are Well and Isolated
- That the seafarers has stayed/isolated in their rooms from the time of testing or check-in until check-out up to being transported for joining the vessel.
- That the LMA will take accountability for the seafarers' compliance to the medical containment and good health of the seafarers.
- In case, the on-signing crew did not observe the containment while waiting for his result, he will repeat the process of testing.
- Face Mask
- Face Shield
- Gloves
Notice:
Port of Manila
- As per current protocols, vessels anchored 4 nm away or more will be boarded using a tugboat.
- Due to the unpredictable schedule of launch and tugboat availability, we suggest that foreign nationals who are scheduled to disembark Manila is to use the first available launch or tugboat then proceed directly to the airport.
Reminders:
The rules and protocols issued by the Philippine Central Government and the various Philippine Local Governments to address the COVID-19 problem are almost often changed without notice and may vary from one Local Government Unit to another. As such, please kindly expect that there will be ports where additional rules and protocols to be implemented that may not be similar in other ports.
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Applying for BOQ-DOH Certificate:
We would like to appeal to everyone to accomplish this form at least 72 hours before your intended date of arrival. For chartered flights, please submit the documentary requirements as soon as possible.
Please fill up the required fields and upload repatriation-related documents. For more information, please visit: bit.ly/repat2020.
For guidance on how to accomplish this form, please visit: bit.ly/repatmanual2020
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