Quarantine and testing facility opened in Manila
(Posted on 02/11/20)
The International Maritime Employer’s Council (IMEC) and the International Transport Worker’s Federation (ITF) have set up quarantine and testing facilities in Manila to facilitate crew changes and address concerns about quarantine quality and fake COVID-19 tests.
The facilities can currently have up to 300 seafarers stay for a 14-day quarantine in two Manila hotels which are open from 28 October. The seafarers will have COVID-19 tests upon arrival and departure, stay in single occupancy rooms with meals delivered and receive ongoing temperature checks.
“We want members to book rooms as soon as possible, to make sure the initiative is successful. If it is successful, we hope to open similar facilities in India and Ukraine,” says Francesco Gargiulo, CEO of IMEC, who hopes that many of IMEC’s members will use the initiative, despite the additional cost.
Crew change hubs have expressed concerns about the quality of the quarantine seafarers used and a few cases of fake coronavirus tests have raised some concerns.
To avoid tampering with the test certificates, the project has partnered with a Hong Kong-based technology company, which provides a secure health pass using blockchain technology.
To help ensure the quality of the quarantine, the government of Singapore backs Bureau Veritas auditing of the facility itself, and IMEC hopes for public endorsements by countries such as Singapore and Australia.
Latest News
Positive results for Pacific Basin despite weaker freight market
(Posted on 15/08/25)Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, one of the world’s leading dry bulk shipping companies, has announced... Read more
Swedish Club: Geopolitical volatility is new normal for marine insurance
(Posted on 14/08/25)The shipping industry must accept that geopolitical instability is now a permanent part of the operating... Read more
Diverse vessel and market portfolio provides resilience for Algoma
(Posted on 11/08/25)Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025... Read more
Columbia: Compliance must be more than box-ticking exercise
(Posted on 11/08/25)The International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has sent a clear message... Read more
DNV and RSI complete study on decarbonising short sea dry bulk fleet
(Posted on 07/08/25)Amid increasing pressure on shipping to achieve the IMO 2050 decarbonization targets, the Responsible... Read more
London P&I Club warns industry over incorrect FIBC loading
(Posted on 04/08/25)The London P&I Club has renewed calls on ship owners, operators and charterers to address potential... Read more
Columbia Group calls for overhaul of maritime training
(Posted on 04/08/25)Columbia Group is calling for urgent reforms in maritime education to address a growing shortage of... Read more
MIS launches as new global media platform
(Posted on 30/07/25)Maritime Information Services (MIS) has officially launched as a global media platform delivering daily... Read more
Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue struggle with psychiatric fallout of war
(Posted on 30/07/25)Russian and Ukrainian seafarers continue to experience significant psychological strain following the... Read more
Noatum expands global footprint with inauguration of Shanghai office
(Posted on 30/07/25)Noatum Maritime, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, announced the official... Read more
