Important to check crew Covid-19 tests

The International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) has highlighted the importance of thoroughly checking the results of crew Covid-19 tests in a recent case handled by the insurer. The case involved a ship manager arranging a crew change in Manila. The change was undertaken by the manager’s appointed port agent and all relevant Covid-19 protocols were followed. With the new crew on board, the vessel resumed its voyage and sent its port entry and free pratique documentation to the discharge port. However, both the agent and the local authorities at the discharge port discovered in the documentation that one of the crew who signed on at Manila had tested positive for Covid-19. Unfortunately, the positive test result had been missed by the ship manager, the port agent at Manila, the health immigration authorities and the vessel’s master.