West Africa

Further advice on Ebola outbreak - Africa and South America Measures

Further developments in West Africa
Members will be aware that countries in and around the affected area are continuing to seek to develop a response to the situation.

In the regard, the Association would in summary wish to highlight the following:

Nigeria
The authorities in Lagos have released a notice stating that the port is unaffected by Ebola at this time and remains open.

Unofficially it was stated that vessels from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia may not be allowed to enter Nigerian ports, but to date there has been no official notice or regulation to that effect.

It is likely, however, that vessels arriving from those countries will face an increased chance of delay while the Port Health Authorities consider how to proceed with any given vessel. More stringent inspections, delays and possible detentions for quarantine cannot be ruled out.

Gabon
The authorities have now issued a notice, which our correspondents have freely translated as attached.

The effect of the notice means that vessels from a country with an Ebola outbreak may not be allowed to enter ports of Gabon.

Ivory Coast
Members will be aware that the Port of Abidjan had issued a notice prohibiting access to any vessel having called at a port in a country affected by Ebola.

This ban was in effect from 12 August 2014 and was lifted on 14 August 2014.

The authorities in the Ivory Coast have not issued any further official notices, but a request to notify any suspicious illnesses on board vessels calling Abidjan remains in place.

Cape Verde
There have been media reports that a vessel was quarantined by the authorities in Cape Verde after calling at a country with a confirmed Ebola outbreak.

The Association has not yet been able to verify the reports.

Members intending to call at Cape Verde should contact the Association to review their specific situation.

Kenya
According to media reports, Kenya is shutting its borders to travelers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea as of Wednesday and Kenyan airways will no longer fly those routes.

As Kenya is a major transport hub for Africa, this will likely significantly travel arrangements to and from those countries. Members needing to make travel arrangements for staff should take note accordingly.

Developments in South America
Brazil
Our correspondents advise that the responsible Brazilian authority, ANVISA, has promulgated the following for the Port of Rio de Janeiro and these are intended for other Brazilian ports, too. Attached is a free translation of the ANVISA recommendations.

In case there is any doubt about the health of the persons on board the vessel, the Brazilian authorities may decide to quarantine the vessel until they can conduct further investigations.

Argentina
Our correspondents advise that at present the only directive from the Sanitary Authorities is that the local agent has to report if in the next 30 days any vessel is expected to arrive from Africa and in particular advise the ETA, port of call and whether the vessel has been in the Africa West or East Coast and identifying the port(s) of call.

Separately, the pilots rendering pilotage services in the River Plate decided that their pilots will not board any vessel coming from the infected areas (Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone) until such time as they have completed 30 (thirty) days from the departure of the last port of the infected areas until the time the pilot should board the vessel.
Members with vessels coming to Argentina from any affected country should seek to make contact prior to arrival in Argentina.

General advice - Charterparty and Cover
Members will realise that at present the situation continues to be one with fast changing developments, and it will be very important to closely follow further developments on a daily basis.

Members that have vessels which:
a. are due to call in any country with an outbreak of Ebola
b. are presently calling at such a country
c. recently called at such a country
are advised to contact the Association so that their specific situation can be reviewed.

Given that charterparties vary and that member's position may need specific consideration, the Association would wish to give bespoke charterparty and cover advice for any specific member and vessel.

Members are asked to contact their usual Skuld Business unit for further advice and assistance.

Loss prevention - Practical
Members are referred to the Association's previous advices including the Ebola FAQs.

Further, members may wish to consider the practical steps taken as shown in the republished pictures (with thanks to West Africa Marine), showing crew in protective clothing and goggles, as well as the use of alcoholic gel and temperature checks for any visitors to the vessel.

Well informed crew, taking basic but detailed precautions, will significantly assist in minimising any risk to the crew and her vessel.

Should members have further queries, they are asked to contact the Association: lossprevention@skuld.com