Effects of President Trump’s Travel Ban on Ships Calling US
Image Courtesy: Danny Cornelissen/Nautilus InternationalPresident Trump’s Executive Order on immigration and travel to the United States has immediate implications for ships which call in the US ports, according to the Standard P&I Club.
Namely, the order bans all immigrant or non-immigrant entry into the US of citizens from Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and Libya and is therefore affecting vessels carrying crewmembers from the mentioned countries.
Under the order, entitled Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, crewmembers aboard ships entering US waters who are citizens of these countries will be denied entry to the US for the next 90 days.
“Members should anticipate that shore leave will be denied for those crewmembers and that enhanced security of the ship, including the use of armed guards, may be ordered by local immigration officials while the ship is in a US port,” Standard P&I Club informed.
However, Standard P&I Club said that, at this time, it is not believed that ships carrying crew from these countries will be denied entry into US ports.
Additionally, the Executive Order may also affect crew replacements in the US and members “should avoid crew changes in the US” involving crew from Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and Libya, regardless of their visa status, for the next three months.
Furthermore, if a crewmember from the mentioned countries requires emergency medical treatment while in the US, there is an exception under the order that may allow the crewmember to be removed from the ship for medical treatment, according to the Standard P&I Club.
The Department of State and Homeland Security (CBP) may determine on a case-by-case basis and when in the national interest, to issue visas or other immigration benefits to nationals of countries for which visas and benefits are otherwise blocked.
