KUALA LUMPUR: A top maritime industry executive has urged the Immigration Department to review its standard operating procedures (SOP) for crew change operations nationwide to ensure smooth functioning of port activities.

Maritime Network Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jeyenderan Ramasamy said the unavailability of immigration services on weekends and public holidays had disrupted the crew change process at several major ports.

"For instance, crew changes at Pasir Gudang and Pengerang ports are not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays for crew members holding special passes from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

"Meanwhile, ports such as Melaka, Butterworth and Lumut also do not facilitate crew changes during weekends. The department did not issue standard guidelines for shipping agents, and even those that exist were only communicated verbally. Nothing was published on the official website," he said in a statement to Bernama.

Crew change refers to the process in which seafarers disembark from a vessel after completing their contract and are replaced by incoming crew members. This process is essential to ensure continuous vessel operations, compliance with maritime labour regulations and the welfare of seafarers who need to return home after long voyages.

Jeyenderan emphasised that the process was critical to ensure compliance with international shipping standards and smooth port operations.

"Seafarers arriving or leaving a country must go through immigration checks. Immigration authorities verify identities, check for valid documents, and ensure compliance with border security laws.

"If immigration procedures are complicated, it can cause delays in port operations, disrupt shipping schedules and increase costs for shipowners," said Jeyenderan, who has 30 years of experience in the maritime industry.

He also said that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, immigration services were available on weekends and public holidays — a practice which was discontinued post-pandemic.

"Honestly, everything operated smoothly before Covid-19. Airport immigration continues to function 24/7 without disruption, yet for ports, immigration shuts down on weekends and public holidays," he said.

Jeyenderan also highlighted the significant contribution of seafarers to economic development through maritime transport and called for better recognition of their role.

"Seafarers deserve recognition and should be granted privileges similar to those in the aviation industry," he said.

Checks by the media found no specific guidelines related to crew changes published on the Immigration Department's official website.

By BERNAMA