IN order to stem Covid-19 cases, vessels from India docking at all Malaysian ports are not allowed to “sign off” their crew of any nationality into Malaysia during the nationwide movement control order from May 12 to June 7, said Transport Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He said exceptions are made only for Malaysian citizens, who need to be quarantined for 14 days in a government-designated station under strict procedures as decided by the Health Ministry (MoH).

He said the ministry acknowledges public concerns with regard to standard operating procedure (SOP) governing shipping activities and port activities.

Wee said that on April 26, he chaired a video conference with the Marine Department of Malaysia and various port authorities under the ministry’s purview to relay the National Security Council’s (NSC) strategies to prevent Covid-19 variants originating in India from entering Malaysia, which were enforced from April 28.

“The department is also in communication with all related port authorities to relay the dos and don’ts of the SOP to all vessels operating in Malaysia. They will govern matters such as crew changes, ship-shore interactions, prohibited activities, among others,” he said in a statement in Putrajaya today.

Wee said SOP directed by MoH and NSC to prevent virus transmissions that govern shipping activities at ports nationwide are also in place.

Among the directives are vessels with Covid-19 symptoms detected on board as determined by MoH through the Maritime Declaration of Health must undergo a 14-day quarantine.

Otherwise, all vessels, including those originating from India, do not need to be quarantined at sea so long as they receive MoH’s permission to dock. 

Wee said all dock workers must use MoH-approved personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and disposable latex gloves when working on vessels. Non-dock workers are not allowed to enter any vessels docked at Malaysian ports without MoH approval.  

Apart from that, all cargo operations, on deck or in cargo holds, may be carried out by dock workers such as for lashing and stevedoring without interacting with ship crew. 

Wee said ship pilots who are essential in piloting vessels to Malaysian docks must do so based strictly on the SOP and wearing PPE including face shields and PPE aprons. 

Cargo-handling on all foreign vessels from all origins in all ports are allowed based on SOP directed by MoH and according to operating procedures and permissions by the department and the respective port authority. 

Wee said the ministry continues to strictly enforce Covid-19 prevention SOP and will continue to abide by NSC and MoH’s decisions to impose stricter restrictions and enhance the SOP from time to time should the need arise.

“We are also committed to continuous improvements in the ministry’s mission to ensure safety, security and sustainability in the transport and logistics sectors of the country,” he said. – Bernama, May 15, 2021.