Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advisory Notice #5
Our business continues to operate largely as normal. Whilst we, like many of our customers, have had to adapt our operations to the new challenges posed by the virus, we remain fully committed to keeping vital trade lanes open and to helping accommodate all our customers’ supply chain requirements during this period.
Please do not hesitate to contact your local Swire Shipping representative for more information and solutions for your shipping needs.
We summarise our approach to the current situation in three headings: Network Restrictions & Impact, Onshore Operations, Offshore Operations.
1) Network Restrictions & Impact
Governments continue to implement measures to protect communities from the spread of the virus. In some cases, these will disrupt our schedules. Swire Shipping’s network continues to run largely as normal without major changes to overall coverage or capacity.
Please note that the below restrictions have been abbreviated to show countries relevant to our network only.
| Destination | Measures implemented |
|---|---|
| Australia (New South Wales) | 14 days from Mainland China, Iran, Italy, South Korea. Introduced by Port Authority of NSW, not state or federal government. |
| Australia (Queensland) | Brisbane: 14 days from Mainland China and South Korea. Rest of Queensland (including Townsville): 14 days from all other ports, with exemptions for New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Singapore & Papua New Guinea. |
| Fiji | Lautouka port was closed for a period in late March. However, activity has now restarted. |
| Kiribati | 14 days from any country with a confirmed case of COVID-19 |
| Marshall Islands | 14 days from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Italy, Japan |
| Niue | 14 days from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Macau, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand |
| Papua New Guinea | 14 days from Mainland China, South Korea Comment: in some cases, local authorities have been implementing different rules. We continue to deal with these on a case by case basis. |
| Solomon Islands | 14 days from any international port. Comment: This has the potential to have a significant impact on our services. Solomon Island calls are usually preceded by Papua New Guinea or Australia calls. However, we believe that allowances will be made due to the nature of the cargo (food stuffs, essential commodities) that we carry. |
| Tonga | 14 days from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines |
| Torres Strait Pilotage (Great Barrier Reef) | 14 days from Mainland China, South Korea Note: Introduced by pilotage companies, not state or federal government |
| Western Samoa | 14 days from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Australia. |
Network changes:
TRT (Trans-Tasman) Service Suspension
Due to the shutdown in production in New Zealand, the introduction of new vessels into this service will be delayed. Voyages 2004W and 2005E/2005W will complete as scheduled and previously advised, and thereafter the service will be suspended. The service will resume in line with the recovery of volumes between New Zealand and Australia.
2) Onshore Operations
The safety of our onshore staff members and the communities in which they live remain a top priority. We continue to follow all relevant government work and travel guidelines in the countries in which we operate:
Mainland China: All staff in Mainland China are now back working from their physical offices.
Australia / New Zealand / Singapore / UK / India: Onshore staff predominantly working from home.
Fiji / Papua New Guinea: Onshore staff split into two teams alternating between work from home and work from office.
Our many remaining offices and agencies will be functioning with a combination of work from home and split teams in physical locations.
Business continuity plans have been tested in all Swire Shipping and agency offices to ensure an uninterrupted service can be maintained for our customers.
We have successfully trialed staff in one geographic location assisting with essential tasks if required in other geographic locations.
Please contact your local Swire Shipping representative for any assistance required during this period.
3) Offshore Operations
The safety of our offshore crew members and the communities which they serve remain a top priority for our business. From a crewing and ship operating perspective, we continue to follow all relevant industry and government guidelines to help prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Port calls: We have been working with key stakeholders in our markets to ensure that, as far as is practicably possible, contactless port calls can be implemented. Consultation in this regard is ongoing.
Crewing: Crew changes have been planned strategically during this period. Regular temperature checking and monitoring of crews on board vessels has been implemented since the commencement of the outbreak.
Contingency plans: Contingency plans for individual vessel events have been established.