Covid-19: Updates for Maritime Industry

03 April 2020

1. The Marine Department of Malaysia has issued Malaysian Shipping Notice dated 3 April 2020 (MSN 06/2020), which provides that Annex II of MSN 02/2020 (setting out further instructions by the Marine Department of Malaysia pertaining to seafarer affairs) has been updated.


2. The Minister of Transport also issued a press release on 3 April 2020 regarding a 2^nd port clearing exercise to expedite movement of cargo from ports nationwide. In gist:-

• The Ministry of Transport has agreed to allow freight forwards and hauliers to expedite the movement of cargo from congested ports nationwide for another 4 days commencing 4 April 2020.


• Companies which have goods stored at Port Klang, ports in Johor, Penang, Kuantan, Melaka, Bintulu, Sarawak and Padang Besar bordering Thailand are advised to transport their goods out of those ports from 4 April 2020 to 7 April 2020.


• Following the positive response to the Ministry of Transport’s 1st port clearing exercise announcement, state-owned ports including those in Sabah and Sarawak, have proceeded to allow companies to transport their goods out of their respective ports to reduce congestion and ensure essential goods reach their intended destinations.


• The Minister of Transport has clarified that port, dock and airport services and undertakings, and transportation by land, water, or air constitute essential services, and accordingly any activity and process in the supply chain of port, dock and airport services and undertakings and transportation by land, water or air are also deemed as essential services.

Siva Kumar Kanagasabai
Partner
skk@skrine.com

Trishelea Ann Sandosam
Partner
trishelea.sandosam@skrine.com

Fariz Abdul Aziz
Partner
fariz.aziz@skrine.com

Tan Shi Wen
Partner
tan.shi.wen@skrine.com