Introduction More than 1000 people have died in
West Africa following the current outbreak of Ebola which began in
March 2014. Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are the worst affected
countries but deaths have now also been reported in Nigeria, a
major port for oil export.
Tradewinds has reported that two bulker bookings for Guinea have
been cancelled and there have also been reports of international
shipping lines suspending shore leave and crew changes in affected
countries. The Argentine Chamber of Pilotage has said that from 15
August its members are not to board any vessel arriving from Ebola
infected countries unless the vessel has obtained free pratique and
clearance by the Argentinian Sanitary authorities; and other
countries, such as Brazil, have issued guidelines for procedures to
be adopted in their ports.
