CrewSafe audit programme developed to facilitate crew change in Singapore
An audit programme, CrewSafe based on Singapore’s crew change model, has been developed by the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Research (SG-STAR) Fund Taskforce (SFTF) to establish safe and scalable ‘corridors’ for crew change during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The programme will help ensure quality checks on quarantine/holding, medical, and swabbing facilities in the countries engaging in crew supply.
Part of the Singapore Shipping Tripartite Alliance Resilience (SG-STAR) Fund, SFTF is the first global ground-up tripartite initiative with international partners including the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) and the International Chamber of Shipping, to work with stakeholders in seafaring nations on concrete solutions for safe crew changes, starting with the Philippines.
There has been more support rendered from more international organisations to the SG-STAR Fund, such as from the Global Maritime Forum Maritime Industry Crew Change Taskforce, INTERTANKO, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, and World Shipping Council, as well as seven port authorities from Abu Dhabi, Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Sines, and Vancouver.
The SG-STAR Fund Taskforce is led by the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), with members from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union, and Singapore Organisation of Seamen.
Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA, said, “Singapore takes our responsibility to seriously facilitate safe crew change. We are pleased to work with our global tripartite partners to accelerate the development of practical solutions for crew change amid the pandemic.”
The SFTF has appointed auditors to conduct assessments at the IMEC-ITF safe quarantine processes and facilities in Manila, Philippines, namely St. Giles Hotel and Marriot Hotel. They also established the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association at Marriot Hotel and the AMOSUP Seamen’s Hospital Molecular & PCR Laboratory for the safe quarantine processes.
SFTF has also expressed satisfaction that these facilities match the CrewSafe criteria and are looking at further enhancements of the CrewSafe audit programme, including electronic tamper-proof and smart wearable devices while the crew is in quarantine, along with secure document processing for the onboarding crew.
In line with facilitating crew change, all safely and responsibly, MPA will streamline the crew’s application procedures from these accredited facilities boarding ships in Singapore, with endorsement given by the auditors.
Singapore will take the responsibility to facilitate safe crew change seriously by working with our global tripartite partners to accelerate practical solutions for crew change amidst the pandemic; with global ports and international maritime organisations.
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