Land-based isolation centre operations for foreign seafarers

02 Apr 2021 / Sri Lanka

The Government of Sri Lanka has once again allowed to carry out crew changes via land based isolation centers (ICs).

The cost per passenger is USD 900.00, USD 450.00 less than the Offshore Crew Transit Hub (OCTH) operating model.

Another benefit of the land-based isolation centres is that it reduces launch trips to one, instead of three, enabling the same launch to transfer on/off signers.

Further, given the current rough weather conditions, it will be more comfortable and convenient for crew staying at the IC rather than at OCTH.

The Government is yet to make a decision on allowing seafarers to arrive/depart via commercial flights. The status quo for air travel (via chartered flights to/from Mattala) remains unchanged.

All on-signing seafarers are required to carry out PCR tests at the respective IC upon arrival and permitted to leave to join the ship only on receipt of a negative report. As PCR tests reports may take up to 24 hours, arrival of seafarers should be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead of ship arrival.

The all-inclusive revised tariffs for foreign seafarers’ crew changes are as follows:

  • Male-Mattala/Mattala-Male - USD 600 including:
    a. Agency fee for reception and clearance at the airport.
    b. Visa Fees at Maldives.
    c. Free Hotel accommodation for one day at Male. (USD 125 + taxes per day per passenger for each additional day).
    d. Taxi fee between Hotel to Airport/Airport to Hotel.
    e. Air ticket cost.
  • Land transport to IC/Direct Arrival/Repatriation via Mattala - USD 300 including:
    a. Land transport between Mattala and IC.
    b. Free Hotel accommodation for one day at IC (USD 100 per day per passenger for each additional day).
    c. Free PCR Test (Additional PCR on USD 75 per passenger).
    d. Land transport between IC to Galle/CBO SeaPort.
    e. Land transport between IC to Mattala.
    f. All payments to the Navy/Army.

Requests for Trincomalee/Hambantota/Norochcholai seaport crew changes will be with special additional rates and will be handles case-by-case.

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

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

More Hot Port News

29 Apr 2024

Bahamas

Terminal closed due to worsening weather
Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the Buckeye Bahamas Hub terminal was closed at 08:00 hours local time on 28 April.
Read More

29 Apr 2024

Hong Kong

Implementation of the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) (Amendment) Regulation 2024
The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 (the “Amendment Regulation”) will come into operation on 1 May.
Read More

29 Apr 2024

Hong Kong

Typhoon Season
Owners, agents and charterers are requested to remind their ship masters of the need to take precautionary measures during the approach of tropical cyclones.
Read More