COVID-19: TNPA to act on new Ministerial Regulations
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has noted the new port-related Regulations signed into effect by Minister of Transport, Honourable Fikile Mbalula on 18 March 2020, under sections 80(1) (g) of the National Ports Act, 2005 (Act No. 12 of 2005). These Regulations are intended to aid in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 through the country’s sea ports.
Crew Changes
The Regulations state that as of 18 March, no crew changes are permitted in the Ports of Saldanha and Mossel Bay until further notice because these ports do not have Port Health capabilities as provided by the Department of Health.
TNPA, however confirms that it has taken an executive decision to prohibit crew changes across all eight commercial ports in South Africa, namely Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Saldanha, Port Elizabeth, Ngqura and East London.
Passenger Travel
The Ministerial Regulations advise South African citizens and permanent residents to refrain from use of sea travel until further notice.
They further prohibit passenger embarkation and disembarkation at all sea ports except under certain circumstances. South Africa’s six cruise ports, Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Ngqura and East London, will now only be permitted to allow disembarkation of a returning South African citizen and/or a permanent resident, or embarkation of a departing foreign national.
In addition, the national Department of Health earlier this week advised TNPA that “all sea cruises undertaken by cruise liner vessels into and out of any seaport within South Africa must be terminated until further notice.” TNPA is working with affected cruise line companies and shipping agents to execute on this instruction as seamlessly as possible, noting that the 2019/20 cruise season was scheduled to end on 22 April 2020.
Emergency medical evacuation shall be managed utilising the existing Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre protocols.
No Ports Closed
TNPA wishes to clarify that no South African sea-port has been closed in its entirety and commercial cargo operations will continue at all ports. Media articles and other external communiques citing the total closure of any sea-port were a misinterpretation of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 15 March 2020 remarks.
The Ministerial Regulations set out further protocols for provision of improved access and hygiene, sterilization control on ships, sea ports and in licensed sea port operations, including that all persons entering the ports shall be screened for COVID-19.
TNPA and terminal operators must provide adequate facilities for hand washing and sanitization equipment at all entrances and exits.
TNPA is also required to implement a reporting, tracking, tracing and monitoring system for COVID-19 at its commercial ports.
Finally, the Ministerial Regulations state that no gathering of more than 100 people may be held in any sea port precinct until further notice.
These extraordinary measures are taken in recognition that it is important to ensure the health of employees and port users is not placed at risk.
TNPA assured all stakeholders of its urgent attention to doing everything possible to safeguard our ports of entry.
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Alan Straton
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