The Chinese Ministry of Transport announced in a Notice on 31st December 2021, the new establishment of a government level special working group to facilitate crew changes in Chinese ports. This encouraging move is also to implement the requirements of a recent Notice by the Joint COVID-19 Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council (No. 2021 [136]).

As per the Notice, the special working group will:

1. Acquire up-to-date situation of crew changes in Chinese ports for Chinese seafarers on international ships.


2. Coordinate all necessary arrangements of crew changes.


3. Facilitate crew changes and solve difficulties encountered by Chinese seafarers in Chinese ports during crew changes.


4. Contact information of the special working group

-       Phone: +86 10 65299809

-       Email: cyhb@msa.gov.cn

5. With immediate effect, all shipping companies, manning agents, ship agencies and Chinese seafarers on international ships may report directly to the special working group through the above phone number or email for any difficulties arising from crew changes in Chinese ports. The special working group will coordinate with relevant central or local government departments for amicable solutions.

This is very good news for the facilitation of crew changes in Chinese ports. Members who have difficulties in crew changes in Chinese ports may contact the above phone number/email, or through the secretariat for assistance.