Vessels arriving in Singapore port that have called Mpox affected countries in the last 21 days now have to submit a mandatory maritime declaration of health.

The declaration that was effective from 4 September also applies to ships that have any crew or passengers who have visited affected countries in the last 21 days, according to the requirements of the Singapore National Environment Agency.

At the time the circular was issued the declaration applied to 10 countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. While Sweden and Thailand have reported imported Mpox cases they are excluded from the requirement at the moment.

The declaration has to be submitted to Singapore’s National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) at least 12 hours before arrival in port.

The declaration asks for:

Crew list/passenger list

Current copy of the Ship Sanitation Certificate

Last 10 ports of call list

List of all passengers and crew members with temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius

“This declaration is part of the precautionary measures against Mpox at Singapore’s borders. It is in addition to the existing MDH requirement for other emerging infectious diseases, as specified in the Port Marine Circular No.15 of 2022 dated 29 June 2022,” NEA said.

The declaration must be submitted regardless of crew health status and a failure to do so may result in a breach of the Infectious Diseases (Quarantine) Regulations.

By Marcus Hand

Source: Seatrade Maritime News. https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/singapore-introduces-mpox-maritime-health-declaration. 8 September 2024.

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