Australia to Propose Stricter Rules on Incoming Vessels

After the recent Covid-19 incidents on vessels arriving from Indonesia, WA is implementing even stricter controls on any vessels arriving.

An unlawful failure to comply with the new regulations will include temporary vessel bans, ship seizure, and prison time.

One of the changes includes a ban on crew change and onshore visits. The proposal, however, should be noted as it is currently standard procedure for Shipping Australia to use the term that it is “technically possible, although it is extraordinarily difficult in practice anywhere other than Perth”.

Other suggested measures include swabbing crew daily upon their arrival in Australia, or if any seafarer would like to disembark they would have to be vaccinated, and Masters signing declarations that they will uphold the rules. Possibly, an additional offense may be introduced which will carry fines or imprisonment for those who knowingly or recklessly bring Covid-19 into WA.