Impact of lockdown on port operations

24 Mar 2020 / India

Several States in India have now announced a complete ‘lockdown’ until the end of the month (31 March 31). Only essential services (hospitals, medical stores, grocery & vegetable shops) are asked to function.

Yesterday (23 March), the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India released an Order clarifying that port related activities are considered “Essential Services”. Thus, it is hoped that port operations will not be suspended.

However, as the lockdown suspends all activities/movements other than essential services, and district borders are sealed, difficulty can be anticipated in the movement of pilots, labour, personnel, vehicles, trucking, cargo evacuation, port agents, CHA & other stake holders involved in vessel/cargo operations. Manpower is also drastically reduced in most locations.

The latest guidelines issued by the D.G Shipping instructed all ports to follow 14 days mandatory quarantine for vessels arriving from restricted countries/ports.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected]

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