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03 Apr 2020 / South Africa

Heightened security at ports during lockdown

Maritime Security Protocols for the South African Ports have been raised with immediate effect. This means that a heightened level of security protocols are to be observed within the ports.

The following measures will be implemented with immediate effect until further notice:

  • The Declaration of Security (DoS) must be completed by the vessel and sent to the Agent to be uploaded onto the Integrated Port Management System (IPMS). The vessel will not be cleared in terms the International Ship and Port Facility Security ISPS) on the IPMS, and therefore cannot berth until this document is received by TNPA security.
  • Vessels are to operate on Maritime Security Level 2 (MARSEC)
  • Stowaway search shall not be done by a local service provider. The search must be done by the crew and the search documents emailed to TNPA security after departure.
  • PSIRA registered Security Officers may be placed on the wharf-side of the vessel for the entire port stay, however no boarding of the vessel will be permitted without Port Security Officer (PSO) approval.

The above measures are intended to ensure that no persons other than the surveyors and stevedores who are essential workers may board the vessel. The whole objective is to eliminate any exposure to South African citizens with regards to COVID-19.

  • The gangway register of all persons that boarded the vessel must be emailed to TNPA security after the vessel has sailed.
  • Persons requiring access to vessels (Law Enforcement Agencies and/or any authorized person in terms of the applicable directives) will be required to report to the permit office on arrival at the port to sign in the Vessel Access Register for record purposes.
  • Cash to Master operations may be conducted, however no physical contact or boarding of vessel is permitted for this. A lockable receptacle must be placed on the quayside and hoisted onboard. All associated administrative process are to be electronically engineered.
  • No crew changes are allowed at all South African commercial ports.
  • No passengers may embark or disembark at all South African commercial ports.
  • If the gangway is not in use it must be raised.
  • Port users are urged to bring their own masks and gloves as an additional precautionary measure.

For all Port users whose permits have expired, they must present themselves to the PSO who will render assistance. Kindly note that no new permit applications will be entertained.

TNPA Security Management would like to urge all port users to maintain high levels of security within their respective areas and to continue with the following precautionary measures:

  • Consistently disinfect working surfaces
  • Use of sanitizers
  • Frequent washing of hands; and
  • Avoid close contact with other people.

TNPA Security Management would furthermore like to emphasize to all port users the seriousness of any breach of security and the severe consequences associated with such actions as per Section 37 of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Security) Regulations, 2004 and the Convid-19 Regulations as contained in Government Gazette No.43103 dated 18 March 2020 and Government Gazette No.43148 dated 25 March 2020, as amended.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected])

Source: Transnet National Ports Authority letter dated 2 April 2020

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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