Port Health Authority
The Port Health Authority Rotterdam deals with health care in the port of Rotterdam.
Here you will find information on everything regarding health matters. Since the creation of the Port Health Authority Rotterdam in 2009, the Harbour Coordination Centre has been the point of contact for vessels, crew members and other parties working in the port of Rotterdam.
Update: 2 September 2024
MPOX outbreak in West and Central Africa
The Port Health Authority Rotterdam is monitoring the situation closely. A Maritime Declaration of Health (MDOH) is requested from every sea-going vessel calling at the port of Rotterdam. With this declaration, the vessel’s captain indicates whether there are people on board with a (suspected) infectious disease. The Municipal Health Service (GGD) provide recommendations on what the crew should do if we are faced with MPOX for example. It is good to know that MPOX is transmitted through intensive contact with an infected person. For example, skin-to-skin contact (including sexual contact). It is not spread through the air or through coughing. The GGD is alert to signals that could indicate a potential MPOX infection and knows what measures to take. For example, isolation on board. We are in direct contact with the GGD and should measures be required that will be communicated immediately to the port community.
Although the risk is low, we recommend the following precautionary measures to prevent infection:
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact (including sexual contact) with people who are ill or have a skin rash that looks like MPOX.
- Avoid contact with animals, particularly rodents.
- Do not touch any contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing, and do not share cutlery, cups, food or drink with someone who has MPOX or a suspected MPOX infection.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Port Coordination Centre.
Port Health Authority Rotterdam (PHAR)
The Port Health Authority Rotterdam is the competent authority for the management of infectious diseases in the port of Rotterdam. The Port Coordination Centre is the contact desk for ships, crew and other parties working in the port of Rotterdam. The parties working with the PHAR include: Rotterdam-Rijnmond Municipal Health Service, the Harbour Health Centre, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam (EMC), Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM), the Dutch Coastguard, Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region, Dutch Food and Commodities Authority, Seaport Police, Radio Medical Service, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the Harbour Master.
The Port Health Authority Rotterdam is a cooperation between the following parties:
- Municipal Public Health Services Rotterdam-Rijnmond
- Port Health Centre
- Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM)
- Coast Guard
- Safety Region Rotterdam-Rijnmond
- Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority
- Erasmus MC
- Seaport police
- Netherlands Radio Medical Service
- Port of Rotterdam Authority and the (State) Harbour Master
Infectious disease control
An important aspect of the Port Health Authority is infectious disease control. Infectious diseases can spread more easily due to the increase in international traffic. Therefore, more attention is paid globally to infectious diseases. The SARS epidemic in 2003 was the immediate cause for the WHO to renew the International Health Regulations. With the signing of the IHR in 2005, the WHO Member States stressed that they will commit to these international agreements in the field of infectious disease control. In the Netherlands, the IHR was included in the Public Health Act on 1 December 2008. As a consequence, the port of Rotterdam must provide a plan for emergencies, a quarantine room and an emergency service in case of outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Read more about infectious diseases on the site of the GGD.
Report cases of illness on board in port
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.
Procedure for the Maritime Declaration of Health (MDoH)
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.
Policy on reporting health situation
At the moment, no modified pilotage rules apply. Of course, only crew members without complaints are allowed to be on the bridge.
Yellow flag (quarantine)
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.
Medical care seafarer’s
Download letter Port Health Centre for medical advice or to make a consultation appointment.
Procedure notification infectious diseases
Is there a person on board with a (suspected) infectious disease? Then you must report this to the Port Health Authority as quickly as possible. The Port Health Authority Rotterdam has to respond quickly to prevent a possible spread of infectious diseases.
Ship Sanitation Certificate
Would you like to apply for an inspection and the issuance of a Ship Sanitation Certificate? Please submit your application as soon as possible. The Municipal Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond (GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond) is responsible for the issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificates. Requests for a Ship Sanitation Certificate for Moerdijk should be sent to the GGD Zuid-Holland Zuid.
Medical Facilities
Do you need medical attention for a person on board a ship? Rotterdam has medical facilities focused specifically on shipping.
More information? Contact:
