Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Impact of Updated COVID-19 Border Restrictions on Cruises and Merchant Ships

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether cruises and merchant ships stopping at our ports will be impacted by new border restrictions driven by the COVID-19 Omicron variant; 

b.     whether any Omicron cases have been detected among incoming ships at our ports; and 

c.     whether the Ministry will review the current safety measures and testing protocols at our ports.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran: 

1.     The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has put in place safety measures in our port to reduce the risk of spread of the virus into and within Singapore, and to safeguard the well-being of maritime personnel. For example, companies require MPA’s approval for shore-based personnel to board vessels that have called at or received sign-on crew from higher-risk countries within 14 days prior to their arrival in Singapore.

2.     To date, no Omicron cases have been detected on ships calling at the Port of Singapore.

3.     Since November 2020, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has only allowed cruise ships to sail out of Singapore if they start and end their sailings in Singapore, with no stops elsewhere.

4.     We will continue to review our measures for the maritime sector in line with MOH’s approach for frontline workers.