Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advisory Notice # 7
The COVID-19 situation has continued to escalate globally. Whilst the situation remains fast moving and can change again rapidly in our key markets, it is encouraging that infection rates have continued to fall in several locations within Swire Shipping’s network.
This will lead to a reduction in the severity of some lockdown measures in force and the resumption of economic activity in the near term. Whilst this is positive, we expect economic activity to be reduced in many parts of the network in the medium term.
Importantly, Papua New Guinea has removed its quarantine restrictions for arriving cargo vessels, leading to the reinstatement of pre-COVID-19 service levels as discussed below. Despite this positive development, several quarantine measures remain in effect which continue to disrupt our network.
Please do not hesitate to contact your local Swire Shipping representative for more information and solutions for your shipping needs.
1) Network Changes
The removal of quarantine restrictions in Papua New Guinea means that our key Asia to Papua New Guinea product will have improved transit times:
- Our NAX service transit time reduces from 14 days to 9 days from Kaoshiung to Lae with effect immediately on Coronado Bay 2006S. Subsequent voyages will reflect advancement of dates to Lae, Port Moresby and Townsville.
- Our NAT service transit time reduces from 14 days to 10 days from Busan to Lae with improvements in effect immediately on Siangtan 2006S.
- Restoration of original framework rotations and direct port calls will occur in step with the stabilization of quarantine restrictions.
Solomon Islands continues to implement quarantine restrictions on arriving cargo vessels:
- Whilst the quarantine restrictions have been reduced, quarantine restrictions in Solomon Islands will continue to cause delays to services calling Honiara and surcharges will be implemented. Please refer to specific trade notices on Solomon Island services.
Further changes:
- ESEA/NAT Subic Bay port call will transfer from the ESEA service to NAT and remain on an alternating voyage basis with effect from Siangtan 2006N. Please see schedule for more details on changes between ESEA and NAT.
2) Network Restrictions
Governments continue to implement measures to protect communities from the spread of the virus. In some cases, these will disrupt our schedules. 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 and Townsville: 14 days from Mainland China and South Korea Rest of Queensland: 14 days from all other ports, with exemptions for New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Singapore & Papua New Guinea. |
| Kiribati | 5 days from all countries |
| 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 | All restrictions currently removed. |
| Solomon Islands | Various quarantine periods in place depending on last port of call. Minimum quarantine period accepted achievable is 6 days. |
| 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) | All restrictions currently removed. |
| Western Samoa | 14 days from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Australia. |