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Special Marine Security Notification From Transport Canada

Please note the following notification from Transport Canada regarding the Coronavirus. We have been circulating these to all inbound vessels under our agency and will continue to do so until otherwise advised by the authorities.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Muddle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Common signs of infection with a coronavirus include fever and respiratory symptoms such as couch, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and even death. Current estimates of the incubation period of the virus range from 2-10 days, and these estimates will be refined as more data become available (WHO – January 27,2020).

To date there has been limited human transmission of this novel coronavirus. As with other infectious diseases, personal hygiene measures such as frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth and avoiding close contact with people who are symptomatic are important preventative measures.

Given the evolving status of this disease outbreak, please refer to the following link for up-to-date information:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Temporary Direction and Guidance

In order to contribute to the health and safety of those who work in and support the Canadian marine industry, and to reduce and/or eliminate the risk of spreading of the Coronavirus in Canada, the following is implemented on a temporary basis:

Foreign Flagged Vessels

  • Foreign flagged ships are to pay particular attention to ensuring that all required components of the 96 and 24 Hour Pre-arrival Inspection Report (PAIR) are completed in accordance with section 221 of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR);
  • Vessel Masters with crew members and passengers symptomatic of the Coronavirus are to advise Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security following transmission of the 96 hour PAIR;
  • In vessels with symptomatic crew members or passengers, Transport Canada Marine Security Inspectors will advise Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Officials who will follow up directly with the vessel;
  • Based on that information, PHAC will provide follow-on direction;
  • In the event that PHAC determines that a crew member or passenger onboard a vessel to be at risk, Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security, in coordination with PHAC, will provide notification to others on a required basis (including but not limited to CCG, Pilotage Authorities, Port Authorities, TC Marine Safety, CBSA)

Domestic Vessels

  • The above procedures do not apply to Canadian Registered Vessels;
  • Domestic ships should report passengers and crew who are symptomatic of the Coronavirus to provincial and local health authorities; and
  • If a case of Coronavirus is suspected, Masters of Canadian Vessels are to advise Transport Canada and supporting agencies (Pilots, Ports etc) prior to others boarding or coming into contact with passengers from the vessel.

2020 AGM High Risk Period

Please note the following circular from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding the start of the 2020 high-risk season for AGM on the West Coast of Canada (March 1 2020) –

“Asian gypsy moth (AGM) is a serious pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. AGM populations are prevalent in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and Northern China. If introduced to North America, AGM would have significant negative impacts on our forestry and agriculture, the natural environment, the commerce that relies on those plant resources, and market access.

Vessels must arrive in North American ports free of AGM and with required pre-departure certification. It is vital that the maritime industry and authorities in the United States (U.S.) and Canada collaborate on measures to minimize the risk of AGM incursion. Although the plant health and agricultural agencies of the U.S. and Canada are independent and have differences in their legislation, AGM risk mitigation and exclusion efforts are a joint effort and a high priority.

Both countries are committed to working with industry partners on measures to reduce AGM risk at origin. The shipping industry’s role in promoting and meeting AGM requirements has been vital to preventing the introduction of AGM to North America and maintaining shipping schedules. When vessels arrive without the required AGM certification, or when AGM is detected, significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities as well as in routine clearance can occur, resulting in loss of revenue to the shipping line and associated parties.

During the 2019 AGM flight period, very high numbers of moths were observed in many regulated ports. Due to these population outbreaks, a high number of vessels arrived in North American ports with AGM egg masses in 2019. Vessels that called on the areas with population outbreaks in 2019 may arrive in North American ports in 2020. To prevent a similar high number of vessels with egg masses arriving in 2020, extra vigilance in conducting self inspection— in addition to obtaining AGM certification— is requested.

Actions For vessels that have called on areas regulated for AGM during the specified risk periods, as outlined in Table 1, the following measures are required:

  1. Vessels must be inspected and must obtain pre-departure certification from a recognized certification body. A copy of the certificate, stating that the vessel is free of AGM life stages, must be forwarded to the vessel’s U.S or Canadian agents. The certificate must be issued from at least the last port of call in a regulated area that was visited during the specific risk period.
  2. Vessels must arrive in North American ports free from AGM. To avoid facing inspection delays, re-routing and other potential impacts associated with mitigating the risk of entry of AGM to North America, shipping lines should perform intensive vessel self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off) and properly dispose of or destroy all egg masses and other life stages of AGM prior to entering U.S. and Canadian ports.
  3. Vessels must provide two-year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival in a North American port, to the vessel’s Canadian or U.S. agent. The agent is to ensure that this information is provided to U.S. or Canadian officials.

Vessel operators are also reminded to ensure that the vessels are in good repair and decks are clear of debris and unnecessary obstacles in order to allow for thorough inspection both in AGM regulated areas and upon arrival in North America. While in regulated ports during moth flight periods and where port operations and safety allow, reducing lighting and keeping exterior doors and curtains closed may reduce the number of moths being attracted to the vessel. Arranging for inspection and certification services as far in advance as possible and providing two-year port of call history at the time of that request allows the inspection and certification body to better plan for delivery of the service in a timely manner.

Upon arrival in North America there have been AGM detections on vessels that obtained predeparture certification. During the flight period inspection should be conducted and certification issued as close to departure as possible — ideally during daylight hours and on the same day as departure. Where vessel departure is delayed post certification, there is the possibility that moths may re-infest the vessel and deposit egg masses post certification.

Although the requirements for AGM pre departure certification and vessels arriving free from all AGM life forms (egg masses, pupae, adults) are the same for the U.S. and Canada there are differences in port-of-entry processes between the two countries due to sovereign regulations and policies. Please contact local inspection authorities in the port-of-entry if you have any questions regarding AGM import requirements or clearance procedures.

It is the responsibility of the shipping lines to meet all requirements for entry to the U.S. and Canada, including freedom from AGM and other pest concerns. We strongly urge maritime interests to take all possible precautions. For further information on the AGM program, please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and/or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s websites.”

Open Loop Scrubbers

We recently had an inquiry from an owner that has a vessel scheduled to arrive with an open-loop scrubber system installed. To ensure compliance of all local regulations and in anticipation of additional requests of a similar nature we reached out to both Transport Canada and the Vancouver Harbour Master. The vessel in question is fitted with an open-loop EGCS scrubber system with no holding tanks available. Relevant certificates relating to the system were sent to the authorities as well.

Transport Canada’s clarification on the matter as follows –

“Inquiry with respect to Air emission/ EGCS.

As of January 1st 2020, all vessels operating outside Emission Control Areas (ECA) will be required to meet the sulphur emission requirements which will be 0.5% maximum sulphur content. It can be achieved by either burning Marine Fuel Oil of up-to 0.5% sulphur content or emission control system such Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) commonly known as scrubber system.

Within ECA area, strict emission requirements are already enforced by maximum sulphur content of 0.1%.  Vessels installed with an approved EGC system are allowed to use marine fuel oil of higher sulphur of 0.1% content, provided ECG system is able to clean the exhaust gas and provide record that sulphur content is 0.1% sulphur or less in the ECA area.

Vessel with ECG systems are required to operate the system as per manufacturer instructions and Flag States / Class approval procedures. Maintain the logbooks of ECG operation and monitoring alarms.

If the vessel is installed open loop ECG system, then master should also check with local harbour and port authorities for wash water discharge requirements. *

Vessel installed with an approved ECG system and operated as per requirements then there is no requirement to report unless system have malfunctioned or not operational.

Also please see following received from HQ:

Are Scrubbers Allowed? (Yes or No)

YES

If Yes, which manufacturers allowed?

ALL – ASSUME THAT THE IAPP REFLECTS THIS INFORMATION AND IT HAS BEEN SIGNED OFF BY THE RO OR THE FLAG STATE.

If Yes, then Open, Closed, Hybrid Systems?

ALL – RECOGNIZING THAT SOME PORT AUTHORITIES MAY PROHIBIT THE USE OF OPEN LOOP SCRUBBERS – SHIP OPERATOR SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK.

IMPLEMENTATION START DATES (will the ports start implementing these IMO rules at 0000 on 1st Jan 2020 or from a date in 2019 as many ships now have scrubbers onboard and could use them in 2019 and are likely to in the last days of 2019)

STARTS 0:00 JAN 1 2020, BY 0:00 MARCH 1, 2020 VESSELS WILL BE PROHIBITED TO CARRY FUEL GREATER THAN 0.5% SULPHUR ONLY IF IT’S BEING USED IN CONJUCTION WITH A SCRUBBER.”

Per Transport Canada’s above guidance, we followed up with the Port of Vancouver Harbour Master’s office which provided the following statement on the matter –

“VFPA currently has no restrictions at this time for the use of scrubbers, either open or close loop, in the port waters. Please ensure Transport Canada & VFPA is notified of any scrubber operation before use.

** This may change pending 2020 IMO fuel changes**”

The Port of Prince Rupert has also confirmed their use although each system will be evaluated on a case by case basis pending valid certification.

It is important that all vessels calling the West Coast of Canada notify their agents if scrubber systems are installed so that the proper authorities can be notified accordingly. Should you have any questions regarding these regulations please contact us for further clarification.