Taking into account the serious interruptions to shipping that become long-lasting as a result of the COVID-19, Tokyo MoU reviewed and revised its relevant guidance in order to cope with the uncertain circumstances.
Tokyo MoU had adopted its COVID-19 guidance for port State Authorities on 12 March, in order to deal with the impact of the outbreak in a pragmatic approach in the region.
The guidance applied pragmatic relaxation on requests for extending periods of service onboard of seafarers, delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits on a case-by-case basis.
In accordance with the guidance, port State Authorities would accept the period of grace for delaying surveys, inspections or audits extended by flag State Administration and/or RO up to three months from the middle of January 2020 (starting of the outbreak of COVID-19).
Noting that no end sign of the situation can be expected at the moment, the guidance is revised to allow port State Authorities to apply the pragmatic relaxation for an appropriate grace period for delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits specific to COVID-19 given to ship by the flag State Administration and/or RO.
SQLearn offers COVID-19 awareness e-learning course to the shipping community
The revised guidance will be effective from 15 April 2020.
The guidance may be further reviewed upon any future initiatives IMO/ILO or developments of the situation.
The Tokyo MOU is an inter-governmental co-operative organization on port State control (PSC) in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tokyo MOU strives to:
- develop and maintain effective and efficient PSC system in the region;
- enhance status and performance of the MOU;
- promote joint initiatives and co-operation with other regional PSC regimes; and
- improve transparency, communication and relationship with the industry.
The main Mission of Tokyo MoU, is to promote the effective implementation, and the universal and uniform application, of relevant IMO/ILO instruments on ships operating in the region.
TOKYO MOU REVISING THE GUIDANCE FOR DEALING WITH IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC OF THE COVID-19
