Pandemic controls in place for international ships in Chinese ports

Prevention and control measures are in place for ships engaged in international voyages that enter Chinese ports to ensure the safety of crew members and prevent the importation of the COVID-19 cases, a transport official said on Monday.

China now has 128 water ports in operation, but all passenger transport services have been temporarily suspended, said Li Yang, director of the Department of International Cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, at a news conference in Beijing.

Still, more than 95 percent of international goods have been transported by water, Liu said, citing the latest figures.

"At present, about 500 international cargo ships enter China every day with about 7,000 seafarers on duty," he said.

To reduce the risks of imported cases, crews on international cargo ships entering China are not allowed to go ashore without permission, and ships of foreign countries are not allowed to change shifts of foreign crew in Chinese ports, he said.

International ships also are required to report the health of their crew members 48 hours before they are expected to arrive at Chinese ports, he said.

In addition, the ministry's Maritime Safety Administration issued an updated version of the guideline on novel coronavirus control and prevention for shipping companies last Friday.

According to the new guideline, shipping companies are required to establish a crew shift system to ensure effective epidemic prevention work during the process of crew shifts in ports around the world.

The companies should master the status of the epidemic situation in the ports where seafarers will change shifts and assess the risk of the shift to minimize the risk of the virus spread.

They also should learn the travel information and the health condition of the crew before one's shift change to ensure that they are in good health before getting on board.

While berthing at an overseas port, prevention and control measures should be in place according to epidemic risk assessment provided by the shipping company and the requirements of the ports.

If any person on board has any symptoms, such as fever or cough, the captain should immediately report to the company and the port Inspection Department.

While berthing at a port in a high- and medium-risk country or region, the crew should avoid direct contact with people on shore as much as possible. The number and area of movement of personnel on board from the shore should be strictly controlled.