West Australia government rejects mining industry request for foreign crew quarantine hub: Pinoy seamen 'dumped' by shipping agencies?

WA rejects mining industry request for foreign crew quarantine hub
Brad Thompson Oct 13, 2020 – https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/wa-rejects-mining-industry-request-...

The West Australian government rejected a mining industry proposal to create a quarantine hub to protect iron ore epicentre Port Hedland prior to two visiting bulk carriers suffering COVID-19 outbreaks and putting exports at risk.

It is understood the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA took the plan to government after identifying ports as the Achilles heel in efforts to safeguard companies like BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals from COVID-19 outbreaks.

Some iron ore exporters are now scrambling to prevent crews sourced from the Philippines coming to Port Hedland and other key export hubs.

However, the process is not straightforward, with iron ore exporters relying on their shipping agencies to act on requests to dump Filipino crew.

Filipinos make up about 30 per cent of global shipping crews and there are concerns within the mining industry about finding replacements at short notice.

WA Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the government had no plans to establish permanent quarantine facilities in Port Hedland, and put the onus on resources and shipping companies to prevent further outbreaks.

“Our view at this point is that resources companies need to insist on proper quarantine protocols at the international ports at which they are conducting crew changes," she said.

"Shipping companies are using quarantine protocols in places like Manila that simply aren’t adequate."

Two bulk carriers that suffered COVID-19 outbreaks while in Port Hedland in recent weeks were crewed by Filipinos working out of Manila.

Under Philippines COVID-19 safeguards, crewman must quarantine in hotels but officers can quarantine at home before voyages.

The BHP-chartered Vega Dream was anchored in Commonwealth waters off Port Hedland on Monday night after seven crew members tested positive for COVID-19.

A marine pilot and surveyor, who went on board the Vega Dream before the ship docked and was loaded with iron ore on Saturday, are in isolation.

The Patricia Oldendorff left WA waters at the weekend after an outbreak forced the crew into quarantine at a hotel in Port Hedland.
Miners assessing options

BHP said it required vessel owners to have and comply with stringent COVID-19 protocols that included on-location quarantine requirements, pre- and post-quarantine testing, as well as on-voyage testing.

“We select our vessel owner partners based on this due diligence,” a BHP spokesman said.

It is understood BHP is assessing replacement crew options in the wake of the Vega Dream outbreak.

Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said the company had not imposed a ban on the Philippines and was working closely with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority on crew safety and conditions.

“There are a limited number of jurisdictions in which crew changes can currently occur,” she said.

“Fortescue has not imposed a ban on particular nationalities or jurisdictions. We are focused on supporting ship owners and operators to facilitate crew changes in a COVID-safe and efficient manner, within local procedures and regulations.”

CMEWA chief executive Paul Everingham said the mining industry was considering a range of new measures to improve COVID-19 safeguards at ports.

Mr Everingham said the risk was not confined to Port Hedland and other ports on the Pilbara coast.

"There is a heightened risk from crews on ships and that applies to every port in the state and in the country," he said.

Ms MacTiernan said the government was sharing information on quarantine protocols with miners and understood they were taking up the issue with their shipping contractors.

“The strict protocols we have in place at our ports are working well to protect our community, but we are working to eliminate issues at the other end of the supply chain and avoid having to manage sick crews," she said.

"It is also in the interests of seafarers that they are boarding clean ships."