Insurer urges COVID-19 test checks

A recent case handled by ITIC – International Transport Intermediaries Club demonstrated that a missed positive test result resulted in significant delays, costs and inconvenience.

The case involved a ship manager arranging a crew change in Manila, explained ITIC. “The change was undertaken by the manager’s appointed port agent and all relevant COVID-19 protocols were followed. With the new crew on board, the vessel resumed its voyage and sent its port entry and free pratique documentation to the discharge port.

“However, both the agent and the local authorities at the discharge port discovered in the documentation that one of the crew who signed on at Manila had tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, the positive test result has been missed by the ship manager, the port agent at Manila, the health immigration authorities and the vessel’s master.”

Significant delays

The vessel was ordered to return to Manila where all crew were tested and replacements made as necessary. Additionally, the ship had to be disinfected. The delays totalled six days in Manila plus five additional steaming days.

The vessel owners put in a claim to the ship managers for around US$ 350,000. The claim was settled at US$ 175,000 as several parties, including the owners, had failed to notice the positive test.

ITIC reimbursed the ship manager but encourages all parties to remain vigilant and check documentation thoroughly, noting a simple oversight can result in costly delays to the vessel and its cargo as well as causing unwelcome disruption for the crew.

By Rebecca Jeffrey