04 November 2020

COVID-19 Quarantine and Testing procedures for vessel

owners and customers
Purpose

The purpose of this memo is to communicate to vessel owners and customers the importance of
implementing industry “better practice” procedures in, and BHP’s expectations regarding, COVID-19
controls during the seafarer embarkation/disembarkation process. The intention, at all times, is to
promote consistency with World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Maritime Organisation
(IMO) guidance, as well as legal and regulatory requirements that are already in place. We expect
vessel owners to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements at all times, and, where
WHO, IMO or local government guidance supports or mandates the application of higher standards
of control than the standards identified in this memo, would expect vessel owners to adopt the higher
standard.

This memo is a first communication on this topic, however work on a more detailed set of
expectations is underway in consultation with industry. We expect to update the guidance set out in
this memo with these more detailed guidelines in due course.

Background

The health and wellness challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presents for the global shipping
industry continue to weigh on global supply chains. In all countries, protecting the health and safety
of the port communities where international vessels arrive is paramount. In parallel, the ability to
implement crew changes, which protect the health and safety of crew, mitigate the growing seafarer
wellness crisis and safeguard global supply chains, remains critical. Crew changes do not as yet
have a globally recognised guideline or standard, and each country/region has largely developed
their own nuanced approach with support from the IMO.
During the pandemic, BHP has implemented a number of additional checks and protocols by which
we require the vessel owners to provide evidence of how they intend to control the COVID-19
infection risk during crew changes. We recognise the significant effort that all our partners have put
into controlling and managing this risk and the fact that these controls have in most instances been
successful. There is, however, no doubt that procedures vary between shipping companies and
different service providers and that some are better, or applied more consistently, than others.
In recent months, we have seen a small number of ships arriving in port with COVID-19-positive crew
members on board following crew changes. It is not acceptable that a Covid-19 positive seafarer is
‘at work’ and risking his/her wellbeing and that of others around them. In some cases, this has
resulted in significant disruption for BHP and its customers. While BHP appreciates that all parties
involved in managing this process are dealing with an unprecedented situation, the industry must
address the gaps and control failures that are leading to these incidents. Local authorities and
regulators in the jurisdictions in which we operate have indicated that they are not willing to tolerate
the occurrence of further similar incidents.

BHP’s expectations regarding quarantine and testing procedures; and reporting

We expect all vessel owners conducting crew changes to manage the infection risk presented by the
crew change process using robust, verified and tightly controlled processes.
The following high level description of the procedures we would expect vessel owners to have in
place are based on a set of globally-applicable principles and “better practices” observed in the
maritime industry as at today’s date. As stated at the start of this memo, this set of expectations will
change and evolve as we gain a deeper understanding of the controls necessary to manage this
risk.
In setting out the below description, the intention is at all times to promote consistency with World
Health Organisation (WHO) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidance, as well as legal
and regulatory requirements that each country/region has developed. We expect vessel owners to
comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements at all times, and, where WHO, IMO or local
government guidance supports or mandates the application of higher standards of control than the
standards identified in this memo, would expect vessel owners to adopt the higher standard:
1. Pre-embarkation: Seafarers to quarantine for 14 days in a Secure Quarantine
Accommodation (SQA) location and depart SQA for vessel only after both SQA entry and exit
PCR testing has returned a negative result. The entry PCR test is to be done on the first day of
quarantine and exit PCR test is to be done 48 hours prior to boarding the vessel. Seafarers to
transit from SQA to embarkation port/terminal via single private vehicle not shared with anyone
other than crew members of the same embarkation rotation wearing PPE provided in personal
COVID-19 kit, and board the vessel via launch with crew only of the same embarkation
rotation. Appropriate infection control protocols to be observed by travelling crew, private hire
driver and launch boat crew.
2. Post-embarkation (during the voyage): On vessel, antigen rapid tests should be completed
for embarking crew on day 1 and day 8 from embarkation and for any crew displaying potential
symptoms of COVID-19. Temperature checks should be conducted and recorded twice-daily for
all crew during voyages and in each case verified by Master. In the event of a positive result, an
immediate notification must be sent to charterers, the relevant authorities in the destination
jurisdiction and all other relevant parties. The vessel crew must follow COVID-19-related health
and safety protocols in line with WHO-approved method and process, including isolation of any
crew members suspected or found to be COVID-19-positive.
3. Port Arrival (prior to berthing): Further antigen rapid tests should be conducted prior to the
pilot’s expected time of arrival on board at next port of call after crew change and all crew
members must record negative test results prior to allowing pilot on board and/or proceeding to
berth. As antigen rapid testing is illegal in some jurisdictions without prior authorisation from the
local authorities, all testing should be conducted in international waters.
4. Berthing and time at berth: Once clearance to berth is provided, twice-daily temperature
checks should continue with continuous communication with charterers, local authorities and
shore personnel regarding health and welfare of crew.
5. Disembarkation process: In addition to complying with all local regulatory requirements, any
seafarers disembarking at a port or having contact with shore personnel should have completed
and be able to evidence steps 1 to 4 above.
Vessel owners should have measures in place to conduct all testing and reporting with WHO-
approved methods and process, with verifiable reporting documentation. In cases where controls
have failed, the cause of the failure should be investigated by the vessel owner, the cause
understood and gaps in existing policies and protocols closed.
Listed below are antigen testing kits recommended by experts engaged by BHP. These test kits or
equivalent are suitable.
1. Manufacturer: SDBiosensor Inc (Korea – Republic of)
Name of test: STANDARDTM Q COVID-19 Ag Test
Australian sponsor: Biocelect Pty Ltd

2. Manufacturer: Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Jena GmbH (Germany)

Name of test: PanbioTM COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device
Australian sponsor: Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Pty Ltd

3. Manufacturer: Access Bio Inc (United States of America)

Name of test: CareStartTM COVID-19 Antigen
Australian sponsor: Pantonic Health Pty Ltd

4. Manufacturer: Becton Dickinson and Company (United States of America)

Name of test: BD VeritorTM System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Australian sponsor: Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd
5. Manufacturer: BioNote Inc (Korea – Republic of)
Name of test: NowCheck COVID-19 Antigen Test
Australian sponsor: Life Bioscience Pty Ltd

For more information

BHP’s priority is the health and safety of communities we operate in and of seafarers on-board
vessels managed by vessel owners in our supply chain. We thank you for your commitment to the
wellbeing of all seafarers.
For further information please contact BHP maritimecommunications@bhp.com.