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GAC Sri Lanka
Crew Change Services Update 15.06.2020
Update on Crew Changes for Foreign Seafarers in Sri Lanka
The process of conducting crew changes
via commercial flights for foreign
seafarers has been formally approved
by the government and a Private Public
Partnership (PPP) has been appointed
to assist ship agents.
The new process will include PCR tests
conducted on all foreign crew members,
stay at an isolation center and onward
repatriation via sea/ airport.
Crew Change of Foreign Seafarers – Few Critical Guidelines to be Followed
▪ Currently 300 foreign seafarers are allowed in Sri Lanka at a given time
▪ As of now crew changes are permitted at Colombo & Galle ports only
▪ A prior notice of 72 hours is mandatory for any seafarer embarking/disembarking at
any Sri Lankan port along with the required documents. However we prefer to receive
information at earliest possible as capacity is limited at the Isolation Center.
▪ As advised by the PPP, it would take 24 – 48 hours to complete the transfer
process of an on-signer to the port upon landing, and for an off-signer to the airport
upon disembarkation.
▪ The on-signer could stay up to 5 days upon arrival & off signers up to 7 days in
Sri Lanka expecting the arrival of vessel/ departure flight.
▪ Sign-on crew arriving by air needs to undergo a PCR test within the preceding 5
days to the flight departure and with a negative result.
▪ Sign-off crew from the ship to be certified by vessel Master of not having fever or
other COVID-19 symptoms.
▪ Crew members to stay at an Isolation Center pending results from PCR test
(Isolation center would be a hotel approved by the Ministry of Health with WiFi &
related amenities on full-board basis).
▪ The PPP requires 100% advance funding prior to undertaking the crew change.
▪ Cancellation charges by PPP – 50% of room charges for any shortfall.
Update on Crew Changes for Foreign Seafarers in SL
• GAC will facilitate and coordinate this entire process on your behalf in Sri Lanka.
• All our operations adhere to the Stringent Health & Safety guidelines set by Ministry of Health & GAC global standards.
• Option of replacing disembarking crew with Sri Lankan seafarers
• GAC shall keep you duly updated on any amendments to the process & guidelines.
Documents Required for Crew Change
in Sri Lanka
Sign-On
✓ Booking request for crew
✓Negative PCR test result (carried out within 5 days prior boarding the flight)
✓ Seafarer health declaration with on-signers signature
✓ Passport Bio page and CDC Bio page for crew
✓Copy of E-ticket
✓Dully filled Quarantine Health Declaration – Should be filled by the seafarer
Sign-Off
✓ Booking request for crew
✓ Seafarer health declaration
✓ Passport Bio page and CDC Bio page for crew
✓Copy of E-ticket
✓Dully filled Quarantine Health Declaration – Should be filled by the seafarer
✓Crew List
✓Crew Effects Declaration
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
Isolation Center ▪ The Isolation Center is
operated by the PPP
under guidelines issued
by Ministry of Health
▪ Capacity of 300 foreign
seafarers
▪ Meals are provided on
full-board basis along with
cable TV & wi-fi
▪ Any additional services
such as laundry/ snacks
etc. should be settled by
the crew member prior to
checking out
. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
Bulk Crew Change & Emergency Medivac
Execution of bulk crew changes via
chartered flights and emergency
medical evacuations is currently
allowed and approvals will be given on
a case by case basis.
GAC has carried out two operations of
bulk crew change via chartered flights
in Galle & Colombo:
• 41 on & 35 off – Belgium to Mattala
• 7 on & off – Denmark to Katunayake
Availability
of Flights
to & from
Sri Lanka
• Qatar Airways operating to London
CMB DOH QR 669 0315 0545
DOH LHR QR 3 0705 1225
• SriLankan Airlines direct flight operating almost 3 days a week
CMB LHR UL 503 0015 0710
• Emirates – from 20th June
DXB CMB EK 2528 1605 2200 (pax not permitted)
CMB DXB EK 2529 0100 0345
• Qatar Airways twice weekly Saturday & Sunday – after 20th June
QR 10 20JUN LHR DOH 0745 1650
QR 668 20JUN DOH CMB 1810 0145
• SriLankan Airlines – after 1st July
UL 504 01JUL LHR CMB 2130 #1245
• Flights to Singapore – after 1st July
UL 306 01JUL CMB SIN 0150 0830
UL 302 01JUL CMB SIN 0730 1410
UL 308 01JUL CMB SIN 1215 1855
UL 307 01JUL SIN CMB 0945 1105
UL 303 01JUL SIN CMB 1555 1715
UL 309 01JUL SIN CMB 2010 2130
Availability of Flights to & from Sri Lanka
SriLankan Airlines will be operating following special flights.
Colombo to London UL 503 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 26 & 30 June 2020
Colombo to Melbourne UL 604 17th & 24th June 2020
Colombo to Tokyo UL 454 17th & 24th June 2020
Colombo to Manila UL 26th June 2020 1500 – 2230 H*Bookings will be accepted until 19/06
GAC Sri Lanka – Other Services
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Publications
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Chandelling
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Chartering
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Chartering
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Services
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Response
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Bulk lube delivery
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Clearance
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Cargo Supervision
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& DistributionSea/Air
Freight
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Transportation International
MovingLogistics
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sample testing
Contact us
GAC Group Sri Lanka
284, Vauxhall Street,
Colombo 02,
Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 114 79 7900
Fax: +94 114 79 7910
Email: [email protected]