There has been recent reports that SSCEC issued at Port of Khourfakkan and RAK has been rejected by Port health and Port controls. Few reported incidents are as below
SSCEC Issued by Khorfakkan Port, UAE
- Haldia Port Health department refused to accept the SSCEC issued at Khourfakkan Port in UAE. Interestingly the port is very much listed as authorized list of ports to issue SSC or SSCEC as per IHO latest list. The reason for rejection is said to be inspection by a pest control, which is not considered as health authority and issued by the Harbour Master who is not a competent health authority. As per Haldia PHO both inspecting and issuing officer are not health authorities, thes certificate is invalid. It was also reported the PHO had sought clarification from Central Govt Authority, India which was not responded.
- Fujairah port has recently started issuing SSC & SSCEC and are very well listed in IHO List, has refused to accept the SSCEC issued at Khourfakkan Port citing the reason that the the SSCEC issued is not as per the latest format issued by WHO. The reason cited is said to be that SSCEC issued is not in accordance with IHR 2005 Model.
SSCEC Issued by RMC (Saqr Port), UAE
- Kandla PHO has recently refused to accept SSCEC issued by Saqr port as citing the reason that certificate is issued by Pest control agency although on the date of issue of the certificate Saqr port was not appearing in WHO List of authorized ports. Saqr Port name has been added in authorized port list as per the revised list issue today i.e 16th March 2024 by WHO.
- As per Kandla PHO the cert was issued by a Pest control agency but its was signed by Public Health officer.
Vessel must check on these aspect of SSC or SSCEC and take agents advice before hand in order to avoid delay in free pratique to the vessel.
In all above cases, free pratique was not denied but vessel had to renew the certificates at that port of call.