China Crew Change Updates - For Filipino Seafarers [Crew Replacement Guide]

Despite the fact that central Chinese government has issued instructions to 10 ports (Shanghai, Qingdao, Dalian, Xiamen, Tianjin, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Haikou) to open their gates to foreign crew changes as from  9th October , very small steps forward have been made so far .

 

Seems that sufficient clarifications have not yet given to local authorities and any tries for crew changes made by local agents are in vane

 

For the time being there were a couple of cases in Shanghai, Qingdao (only off signers), one case in Guangzhou Cosco s/y (2 off signers) and one case in Ningbo s/y (2 on signers) 

 

Specifically for Ningbo, there were only two cases for crew signing on new building, however the formalities were very complicated .

 

This case refers to specific NINGBO S/Y and not to any cargo terminals located in this port where no foreign crew changes are still feasible.

 

In other ports like , Fuzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen , Haikou, Dalian, Tianjin there were no successful cases.

 

 

Some key points from the regulation:

  

1) vessel should left last foreign port for more than 14 days, and there should be no crew change within the last 14 days.

 

2) the plan for crew change should be submitted to local port authorities for approval on case by case basis.

 

3) the off signer should pass the nucleic acid test (N.A.T) by Customs officer before disembarkation. Test may be asked to be made even up to 3 times which of course takes time

 

4) the off signer should be sent directly from vessel to airport to take the repatriation flight, no stay at local hotel is allowed.

 

5) Vessel cannot sail from port unless off signer has departed

 

6) The LOI for on signer should be issued by local government foreign affairs dept subject to their approval.

 

7) After on signer passes the quarantine at local airport, he could be transported to vessel point-to-point.

 

8) Direct flights abroad - no intermediate flights in other Chinese airports are allowed.

 

  

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