Shanghai P&I Services Ltd

SHANGHAI P&I SERVICES LTD. 力保海事服务（上海）有限公司

Circular No.: SPI200101 Date: 31 January 2020

RE: Subject: Update on the Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in China

Dear Sirs / Madams,

The Wuhan coronavirus has spread throughout the world since the first cases were detected in central China in December. By 31 January, at least 200 people have died and more than 9,800 have been infected, as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. China's National Health Commission has confirmed the virus can be transmitted from person to person through "droplet transmission" where a virus is passed on due to an infected person sneezing or coughing as well as by direct contact. There are more than 140 confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus -- but no deaths so far -- in more than 20 countries outside mainland China.

Following the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China, we have received numerous enquiries regarding the latest situation. Our team have made investigation locally on some issues and would like to provide update and comment on the FAQs as follows for your easy reference.

1. Whether vessel in and out of major ports and cargo operation has been affected?

1) Generally the operation of inbound / outbound of ocean-going vessel is conducted in usual manner. So far, there is no Chinese sea port had been officially announced lockdown, except for the inland river port of Wuhan of Hubei province, where the virus is believed to have originated. The operation of cargo ships at all the sea ports is going on normally, amid an increased state of alert in response to the coronavirus.

2) As per the “Notice on coordinated prevention and control of the epidemic as well as the protection of water transportation” issued by Ministry of transport of PRC on 30 January, it’s stipulated that provincial transportation authorities shall guide the port enterprises / facilitates within their jurisdiction to arrange cargo operations in a scientific and reasonable manner, and it is strictly prohibited to take measures such as forbidding and restricting ships to call the port for cargo operation or isolating the ships at anchorage for 14 days in the name of epidemic prevention and control.

3) Due to the end of public holidays of Spring Festival has been extended to 2 February (lack of

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stevedores / workers) for most province and the ports are taking prevention and control measures to deal with the virus, the loading / discharging rate of the terminal may slow down and cause delay to the vessel. Some specific provinces including government of Guangdong province (cover Guangzhou, Shenzhen), Fujian Province (cover Xiamen), Shandong province (cover Qingdao), Zhejiang province (cover Zhoushan, Ningbo), Shanhgai city has extended Spring Festival to 09 February 2020.

2. Whether there was any additional requirements in Chinese ports?

1) Besides normal documents to be submitted to authority, vessel may need to daily report the temperature and health condition of crewmembers. If there are Chinese crewmembers on board, local Customs may enquire if any crewmember has visited Wuhan or made close physical contact with anyone from Wuhan in the past month. Debarkation of crewmember will not be approved except for special / urgent circumstance, moreover, replacement of crewmember at will unlikely be approved. The movement of people between vessel and shore is strictly controlled by immigration during this special period. It’s suggested that the vessel keep in close contact with the local agents so as to get the most up to date requirement (if any) from local port authority.

2) Some terminals / ports have issued their local regulations. For example, the notice issued by Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal focuses on the following points: a. The vessel should declare whether there is any crewmember with native place of Wuhan or other place of Hubei province. b. Other operations apart from normal cargo operation are not encouraged. c. The ship should suspend crew changes at Qingdao, and the crewmember shall not go ashore without permission.

3) Many local governments (such as Guangdong provincial government) have issued regulations that masks must be worn in public places.

3. Whether it is difficulty to get supplies in ports?

The ordinary supplies to the vessel in sea port is normal without notable change. However, the medical supplies such as disinfectants, masks and protective clothing are in short supply under the current situation in China.

4. Whether there were any changes to regulation on movement of people?

1) At least 15 cities, including Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province have been placed under full or partial lockdown. Wuhan itself has been effectively quarantined, with all routes in and out of the city closed or highly regulated.

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2) By the morning of the 30 January, all inter-provincial chartered buses and inter-provincial passenger trains to Hubei province have been suspended. Ten provinces, including hubei and Beijing, suspended all road passenger services, and 16 provinces suspended all inter-provincial passenger services.

3) In some cities of China, public transportation such as intercity railways, shuttle buses and ferries are downsized and intensely monitored, or even cancelled. Private cars can still be used for intercity travel but are also closely checked.

4) There have been some airline companies of other country, including UK, USA, France, Canada, Germany, India etc., have decided to suspend all their flights to Wuhan, and/or other part flights to major city of China, such as Beijing and Shanghai.

5. Whether court litigation especially maritime Courts are affected? Most of the Chinese courts, including the Chinese Supreme People's court and maritime courts, have been affected to various extent in the following aspects:

1) Most maritime court proceedings are postponed until 03 February. Among them, Guangzhou Maritime Court also tried to arrange a re-scheduling of the proceedings between 03 February and 08 February to later stage.

2) If the party or agent ad litem is unable to participate in the relevant proceeding arranged after 03 February due to the impact of the new coronavirus pneumonia (under treatment, during isolation or traffic control, etc.), they can apply to the court for extension according to the relevant laws and regulations.

3) If the party concerned applies for arrest of the ship, property preservation or maritime injunction due to the urgent need of the situation, it is recommended to submit the materials through online channels such as Internet and fax, and the original materials such as the letter of guarantee to be reviewed shall be submitted by mail. After examination, if it is really necessary to detain the ship, take property preservation or permit maritime injunction immediately, the handling judge shall give priority to the implementation through Internet, fax and other online means. If it is really necessary for the judge to go out at site for implementation due to emergency, the attending personnel shall take protective measures to ensure the safety.

6. Whether there is any health guidelines issued against the novel coronavaris? The pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus is a newly-found disease from which the public should strengthen prevention. In order to help foreigners understand and master the relevant knowledge of prevention, National Immigration Administration has compiled and translated this 3 / 7 SHANGHAI P&I SERVICES LTD. 力保海事服务（上海）有限公司

guide according to the Public Prevention Notes provided by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

1) Reduce outdoor activities as much as possible

A. Avoid visiting areas where the disease is prevalent.

B. It is recommended to make less visits to relatives and friends and dining together during the epidemic prevention and control, and stay at home as much as possible.

C. Try to avoid visits to crowded public areas, especially places of poor ventilation, such as public bathrooms, hot springs, cinemas, internet bars, Karaokes, shopping malls, bus/train stations, airports, ferry terminals and exhibition centers, etc.

2) Personal Protection and Hand Hygiene

A. It is recommended that a mask shall be worn when going out. A surgical or N95 mask shall be worn when visiting public areas, hospitals or taking public transportation.

B. Keep your hands sanitized. Try to avoid touching public objects and parts in public areas. After returning from public areas, covering your cough, using the restroom, and before meals, please wash your hands with soap or liquid soap under running water, or use alcoholic hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes when you are unsure whether your hands are clean or not. Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when sneeze or cough.

3) Health Monitoring and Seeking Medical Attention

A. Monitor the health conditions of your family members and yourself. Measure your temperatures when you feel like having a fever. If you have kid(s) at home, touch the kid’s forehead in the morning and at night. Measure the kid’s temperature in case of fever.

B. Wear a mask and seek medical attention at nearby hospitals in case of suspicious symptoms. Go to medical institution in a timely manner in case of the suspicious symptoms relating to the pneumonia caused by novel coronavirus are found. Such symptoms include fever, cough, pharyngalgia, chest distress, dyspnea, mildly poor appetite, feebleness, mild lethargy, nausea, diarrhea, headache, palpitation, conjunctivitis, mildly sore limb or back muscles, etc. Try to avoid taking metro, bus and other public transportation and visiting crowded areas. Tell the doctor your travel and residence history in epidemic areas, and who you met after you got the disease. Cooperate with your doctor on the relevant queries.

4) Keep Good Hygiene and Health Habits 4 / 7 SHANGHAI P&I SERVICES LTD. 力保海事服务（上海）有限公司

A. Frequently open the windows of your house for better ventilation.

B. Do not share towels with your family members. Keep your home and tableware clean. Sun-cure your clothes and quilts often.

C. Do not spit. Wrap your oral and nasal secretion with tissue and throw it in a covered dustbin.

D. Balance your nutrition and exercise moderately.

E. Do not touch, buy or eat wild animals (gamey). Try to avoid visiting markets that sell live animals.

F. Prepare thermometer, surgical or N95 masks, domestic disinfectant and other supplies at home.

Further, WHO have provided guidance on protection against the virus: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

7. Any (preventive) measures the vessel should put into place when call a Chinese port?

Regarding specific advice for vessels arriving at Chinese ports in near future, based on “Guidelines for the prevention and control of epidemic-prone and pandemic acute respiratory infections in health care” provided by WHO as well as the experience of the measures taken by ships to prevent SARS epidemic in 2002, we would like to provide following advice for member’s easy reference:

1) Timely notification

The member shall timely inform the ship of the current coronavirus in China, so that the crew members can fully understand the risk of the new coronavirus, and try not to replace the crew members during the period of heavy passenger flow in Chinese Spring Festival.

2) Reduce physical contact between ship and shore

The members shall formulate a temporary safety policy and in the near future, try not to arrange any activities such as ship-to-shore exchange, on-board survey / inspection, internal and external audit, and maintenance. All on-board visits and family visits should be prohibited.

3) Strengthen control at vessel’s gangway

During the berthing period in port, the captain shall ask the duty crew at the gangway to strengthen

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the control, strictly check the identity of all boarding personnel. At the same time, in the port with reported epidemic, crew members are prohibited from leaving the ship during berthing.

4) Restricted area for foreign personnel

The vessel shall strictly control the activity area of foreign personnel on board the vessel, set up a tally room and reception room on the main deck, and control the entry of agents, tally man, foreman, suppliers and other foreign personnel into the crew's living area.

5) Pay attention to food safety

Food for ships should be purchased from regular suppliers, so as to avoid buying food from ports and regions where epidemic diseases are found. In the following days, more fresh vegetables and fruits should be added, and meat and poultry products should be reduced. Keep cutting boards and knives separate for raw and cooked food. Avoid raw food, especially meat and seafood.

6) Focus on personal hygiene

Crew should wash their hands frequently, take a bath frequently, change clothes frequently, wash hands with soap or healthy sanitizer, wash working clothes frequently with disinfectant, put the clothes working outside in the locker room, don't wear them back to personal room. Use a tissue or elbow to cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to prevent spray. The used tissue should better be incinerated.

7) Strengthen self-protection

The crew shall better wear the surgical mask during the berthing period, and avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms, and to avoid going out to public places and contact with livestock and wild animals during berthing.

8) Carrying out suspected screening

The captain shall strengthen the security screening of suspected cases of the ship. If any external person is found to have such symptoms as cold, cough or fever during berthing period, he shall immediately notify the agent, foreman or relevant party. If the crew members have similar symptoms in port, they should immediately arrange for medical treatment ashore. If during the voyage, quarantine shall be arranged first, the crew with symptoms shall not participate in collective activities, and the company shall be informed of the crew's symptoms in time.

9) Pay high attention to physical situation of crew or person onboard especially those coming from

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Wuhan or other place of Hubei province recently.

Since Wuhan and Hubei province is heavy disaster area of the novel coronavirus, the Chinese governments strengthen the inspection and monitoring of personnel traveling or coming from Hubei or Wuhan in various aspects, so we suggest that before berthing, the vessels should carry out regular inspection and monitoring of physical health status of the crewmember from Wuhan or Hubei province, also to find out whether someone has the recent travelling history to Hubei or Wuhan, which is beneficial to the protection of personnel onboard and compliance with Chinese government inspections.

We hope the above will be of some assistance. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact with us.

Yours faithfully,

Emergency Response Team

Shanghai P&I Services Ltd.

Rm301, China P&I Centre, Building 7, No.18 Gongping Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai 200082, China Email: [email protected] | Web: www.shpni.com.cn

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