South Korea Crew Change Updated Guidelines and Information [Seafarer Crewing & Shipping Reference]

UPDATES AS OF 18 FEBRUARY 2021

Related the enhanced quarantine measures by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, herewith is the related P&I News for your reference in conducting crew change / crew replacement of seafarers in South Korea ports.

1. Japan P&I News: Calling at a Korean port after crew change
2. Japan P&I News: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)－Enhanced Quarantine Measures in Korea (No.7)

 

Summary

• PCR negative certificates are required for all on-signers embarked the vessel in all foreign countries on or after 15th January, 2021 when vessels call at a Korean port.

• For the crews who embarked from the high risk countries, certificates must be issued at the designated facilities.

• For the crews who embarked from other countries, certificates can be issued at any facilities.

• The certificates must be issued within 72 hours before departure from a port.

The list of high risk countries/area have been changed as follows;

• Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, England - Added on 29th December 2020

• South Africa - added on 29th December 2020

• Uzbekistan was removed on 27th January 2021

 

The following items must be stated on PCR negative certificates.

Name of Donor (the same as on passports)

Name of Test

Result of Test

Issuance date of the certificate

Date of Birth (DOB) of Donor

Date of Test

Official seal (stamp) or Signature of the facility

 

For the latest information related conducting crew changes for seaman in any South Korea ports, it is strongly advised to confirm and coordinate with the local crew handling agent in South Korea.

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UPDATES AS OF 21 JANUARY 2021

Updated COVID-19 quarantine requirements in South Korea

All foreigners, including on-signing seafarers, arriving at South Korean airports from 8 January 2021 are required to submit a PCR negative test certificate taken at any testing facilities within 72 hours prior to departure.

Further, all foreigners, including ships' crews, who board ships in foreign ports as of 15 January 2021 and then arrive at South Korean ports are required to submit a PCR negative test certificate taken at any testing facilities within 72 hours prior to departure.

Additionally, all foreigners, including ships' crews, arriving at South Korean airports and ports from high-risk countries (currently listed as Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, Uzbekistan and Nepal) plus Russian ports are required to submit a PCR negative test certificate (a QR code is required for Russia) taken at a testing facilities designated by Korean embassies within 72 hours prior to departure.

The PCR negative test result certificate should be issued in Korean or in English. If the certificate is issued in another language, it will need to be submitted together with a translation in Korean or in English along with a translation authentication document i.e notarisation by an agency or embassy. This is unless the translation is done by a recognized translation office.

In the event of improper PCR negative test result certificates (such as those issued in excess of 72 hours from departure or issued at an undesignated testing facilities that is not approved by South Korean embassies) or there is a failure to submit certificates then:

(a) All crew members will be prohibited from disembarking

(b) Crew members that submitted the improper PCR negative test result certificate(s) will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing by 'specimen method'

(c) Ship operations shall only commence after confirmation of a COVID-19 negative test result (all works are suspended before negative results are confirmed)

(d) The crew members could be fined or charged under local law.

In the meantime, it is reported that port operations are currently continuing without further restrictions.

It is advised to contact local agents for the latest information on the requirements prior to calling at Korean ports in order to avoid possible delays.

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Information Source: Standard Club

Retrieved: 05 February 2021

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Previous Information

ENHANCED QUARANTINE MEASURES IN KOREA RELATED TO COVID-19

(SUBMISSION OF PCR NEGATIVE CERTIFICATE)

IMPORTANT – DUE TO SUDDEN CHANGE OF THE DESIGNATED FACILITIES BY EACH DIPLOMATIC OFFICES, PLEASE KINDLY MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE VALIDITY OF THE FACILITY WITH KOREAN DIPLOMATIC OFFICES(EMBASSY/CONSULATE) AT EACH COUNTRY BEFORE THE TESTING.

Be fully aware of the regulation in advance and prepare necessary requirements in order to avoid possible punishment and/or delay of the vessel when calling at Korean Ports.

PCR Negative Certificate must meet following 3 conditions.

① Must be issued by designated facility by KDCA through diplomatic offices at each country (Please kindly refer to the attachment for the list of facilities.)

② Must be issued within 48hrs prior to 0000hrs of ship’s departure date. For example,

- 0100hrs 10. 05. departure -> valid certificate is the one issued on or after 0000hrs 10.03.

- 1000hrs 10. 05. departure -> valid certificate is the one issued on or after 0000hrs 10.03.

- 2300hrs 10. 05. departure -> valid certificate is the one issued on or after 0000hrs 10.03.

③ Must be issued before embarkation(on-signer) / returning to the vessel(shore leave)

 

Change of designated PCR test facilities at Philippines

. Baguio Medical Center & PRI Medical Center will be removed from the designated facility as of 05th Nov. Thus, the certificates from both facilities are valid till 04th Nov(Issuance date).

See the list of Korean designated facilities / Korean Accredited testing Centers for PCR Test (Latest updated version)

AS OF 02ND NOV 2020

Download this file here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b0ALXsbRvUV3jgEgTESt9iPVUL8oHJg_/view?usp=sharing

Related Information: 

• Philippines Updated Crew Change Guidelines On The Conduct Of Seafarers' / Crew Replacement In Order To Address the Risks by the New SARS-CoV-2 VARIANT
• MANILA BAY CREW CHANGE GUIDE IN PORT OF MANILA - Seaman / Filipino Seafarers Crew Replacement, Crew Change Guide and Information