Port Health Authority

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has determined that vaccination of seafarers will fall under the responsibility of the decentralized public health agency known in Dutch as GGD. Arbo Unie will no longer carry out this responsibility. These changes will come into effect as of 1 January 2023.

This means that as of 1 January 2023 employers and seafarers can schedule a vaccination appointment only at the GGD. Seafarers who wish to also receive a vaccination certificate (EUDCC), need to ask for their client number right after getting the (repeat) jab at the GGD facility.

Three main websites (all are available in English) are of importance:

- Schedule a vaccination appointment
- Vaccination without an appointment
- Vaccination certificate Don't have a BSN? Do not sign in via ‘DigID’: A client number is required and can be retrieved right after vaccination at the GGD location.

The GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond is temporarily vaccinating only on current locations in Rotterdam. On-board vaccination with mobile teams is not possible for now.  The GGD is exploring opportunities under which circumstances on-board services are possible. Futher information will be provided when available. We apologize fort he inconvenience.

For vaccination request or further information, please contact boosteraanvraag@rotterdam.nl.

The GGD Rotterdam Rijnmond is able to provide an international QR code (EUDCC) or certificate on request, if the proper information is available. This is only possible on specific GGD-location with autorised personnel. Therefore, it is important that requests are made upfront so we can direct your staff to he proper location.

Should cases of illness nevertheless occur on board during the stay in port, it is mandatory to report them. This also applies to narrative and departing ships. For this you can contact the Port Coordination Centre by telephone: +31(0)10 252 1000.

All seagoing vessels visiting the Port of Rotterdam must submit a valid Maritime Declaration of Health (MDoH). As from September 1, 2021 the MDOH must be submitted by the agent to the Harbour Coordination Center via Portbase (PCS). The MDoH must be submitted to Pilot boarding Place (PBP) at least 6 hours prior to arrival and must not be older than 24 hours.

This obligation also applies to fishing vessels that make an international voyage (and also call at foreign ports). In addition, the port authority (Harbour Master's Division) can, in certain cases, explicitly ask to send in an MDOH.

At the moment, no modified pilotage rules apply. Of course, only crew members without complaints are allowed to be on the bridge.

In the Netherlands, the MDoH is used to report possible infectious diseases to the authorities. Some countries work with a yellow quarantine flag. This is not necessary in the Netherlands. As soon as a ship has submitted an MDoH and it has been assessed by the Municipal Health Service, the captain will be informed whether additional measures are necessary. If a ship continues to sail under a yellow flag, we request you to inform the Port Coordination Centre (+31 (0)10 252 1000 or VHF channel 11). If there are any relevant changes, you will be informed here.

Download letter Port Health Centre for medical advice or to make a consultation appointment.