Philippines sends "Green Lane" Procedures to IMO

The Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has communicated the country’s guidelines for the establishment of a “green lane” for seafarers to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

MARINA said the guidelines were made in response to the IMO’s recommendations for safe ship crew changes during the pandemic and allow for the safe and swift disembarkation and crew change of seafarers in the country. This is in line with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies’ Philippine Green Lane Joint Circular signed last July. This would facilitate the creation of controlled travel lanes to stimulate the country’s economy through the safe and efficient movement of seafarers.

“These guidelines were formulated through an inter-agency effort in order to expedite the travels of seafarers involved in deployment, disembarkation, and crew changes by establishing a Philippines Green Lane,” MARINA said in a statement.

The IMO is expected to issue a circular to its member states in response to the Philippines’ new policy on the travels of seafarers and crew change.

“This will serve as guidance for seafarer-foreigners joining their ships docked in the Philippines, disembarking from a foreign ship docked in the Philippines to an international gateway for purposes of repatriation, and foreigners transiting in a Philippine international gateway,” said MARINA’s Management Information Systems Service officer-in-charge Luisito delos Santos.

MARINA said it has issued Advisory 2020-60 and Advisory 2020-61, both highlighting various crew change protocols from other IMO member states for the use of licensed manning agencies, ship owners, ship operators, and other concerned entities in the Philippines’ maritime sector.

Sources: MARINA, Philippine News Agency