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Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
Unit OT 18-35, Level 18, Central Park Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, P.O. Box 18006, United Arab Emirates
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24 Jul 2020 / Brazil
Measures introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have brought widespread disruption to normal crew change operations, with many seafarers prevented from disembarking or joining their vessels.
Rodrigo Kill, GAC Brazil’s General Shipping Manager, presents his guide to the current status of crew changes in the country including: where they may be conducted; what restrictions are in place; what requirements must be met; and how many changes GAC Brazil has handled to date.
What challenges and restrictions do shipowners/operators face when arranging crew changes in Brazil, and how have your local contacts helped to ease the situation?
The major problem is that although the federal government has provided guidelines, local port authorities have the right to impose the procedures according to their own understanding. We are requesting our customers to provide information related to their crew change plans in advance allowing us to do the necessary checking on their behalf.
How many crew change operations have you successfully executed since COVID-19 lockdowns started?
Approximately 400 seafarers have been successfully embarked and disembarked under our services.
There is great uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic; how long it will last, and what its impact will be. How are you managing this from a crew change and lay-ups perspective? What are your expectations for the coming months?
We do not believe “normal procedures” will return soon. Based on my personal expectations based on the current pandemic scenario in Brazil, I believe that crew changes will continue to be performed with restrictions under special health measures for a long time.
Is there anything else you wish to add?
We are acting very carefully in all aspects to ensure all protocols are followed by the GAC Brazil team to protect the health of everyone involved in the process to assist crew changes.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 status/measures and the impact on shipping, including crew changes, in countries around the world, go to www.gac.com/coronavirus.