To: All seafarers
To: All Port Authorities in UAE.
To: Shipping Agents
To: All ship managers, operators, and anyone who engage with seafarer's services
The Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime (FTA) as the competent maritime administration in the United Arab Emirates, and in light of the precautionary measures taken by the FTA to minimize risk of community spread of the Corona Virus (COVID-19), and in the framework of its appreciation to the efforts of the seafarers and their vital role in the maritime sector and their importance in maintaining the integrity of the supply chains, and in response to the International Maritime Organization Circular Letter No. 4204/Add.6, and to the maritime community and industry appeals to facilitate the process of ships crew change during this period, The FTA has decided on lifting the ship's crew change restrictions gradually, and in the first stage under special circumstances the priorities will be given to:
1. Seafarers with resident visa who are stuck on board their ships.
2. Crews of passenger ships curren...