Due to the numerous restrictions placed in the movement of seafarers in preventing the spread of COVID-19, widespread disruption to normal crew change operations have met difficult challenges including the Philippines. However, our PTSC Husbanding Team embraces those challenges eversince the lockdown was eased in the beginning of June 2020 and are no longer stranger in providing crew change operations in different hubs in the Philippines.

We have performed over 65 crew changes since the lockdown until end of April 2021. There are 6 crew change hubs which are operational namely, Manila South Harbor, Port Capinpin in Bataan, Batangas Port, Sasa Wharf in Davao (all under the jurisdiction of the PPA), Port of Cebu (administered by the Cebu Port Authority), and the Port of Subic (administered by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority). Outside of Manila, we have had successful crew change operations approved and carried out by PTSC at locations such as Batangas, Subic and Cebu. Proper coordination with the port facilities including the one-stop shops allowing for the expedited onboarding, disembarking, and processing of ship crew, and enforcing the government’s health and safety protocols against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) allows us for a swift and efficient completion to every crew change.

In general there are more restrictions for crew changes involving foreign nationals. And as per latest memorandum order by the Philippine National Task Force Against COVID19 (NTF COVID-19) that ONLY all transiting foreign seafarers with valid 9(c) crew list visa are allowed to enter the country via authorized seaports (crew change hubs) AND airports for crew change purposes. Pre-booked accommodation for at least 7 nights at any DOH accredited quarantine hotel should also be provided and they will be subjected to COVID-19 RT-PCR testing on the six day. After receiving a negative result, it is only then authorities will allow foreign nationals to board their flight back home.

Although the Philippines have gradually removed a number of major obstacles when it comes to crew change and softening of the attitude of our national authorities, restrictions may still change as situation dictates and may be re-imposed following recurrences of local infections. So for any updates and information about our port situation, please email us at husbanding@ptsc-manila.com.