TOKYO MOU REVISING THE GUIDANCE FOR DEALINGWITH IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC OF THE COVID-19

Source: TOKYO MOU SECRETARIAT

Originally published on: 04/10/2020

For dealing with the impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 in a pragmatic and harmonized approach in the region, Tokyo MOU adopted the relevant guidance on 12 March 2020 for port State Authorities to apply pragmatic relaxation on requests for extending periods of service onboard of seafarers, delaying periods for surveys, inspections and audits on a case-by-case basis. In accordance with the guidance, port State Authorities would accept the period of grace for delaying surveys, inspections or audits extended by flag State Administration and/or RO up to three months from the middle of January 2020 (starting of the outbreak of COVID-19). Taking into account that serious interruptions to the shipping industry become long-lasting as the consequence of the COVID-19 situation changed from epidemic into the world pandemic, Tokyo MOU reviewed and revised the relevant guidance in order to cope with the uncertain circumstances.

Full release here.