Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about: * Germany, Kiel Canal – Lock chamber repairs * Nigeria, all ports – Strike over * United States, Delaware River – Delaware River Safety Zone New Castle Range * United States, Delaware River – Marcus Hook Range dredging operations update * United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi – Flags Restricted from entering UAE Ports * Singapore, Singapore – Reclamation of Jurong Island * Turkey, Turkish Straits – Snow causes poor visibility * Egypt, Suez Canal – Onboard weapons and ammunition
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Germany PORT: Kiel Canal Lock chamber repairs
The Kiel Canal Authority has announced that the New Big South Lock Chamber will be out of service due to repairs between 07:00 and 16:00 hours tomorrow (17 January).
(For information about operations inGermany, contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger, Germany – GAC Network Agency
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Nigeria PORT: all ports Strike over
The labour strike that has been gripping Nigeria for the last eight days has been suspended. Everything is expected to return to normal from tomorrow (17 January).
For information about operations in Nigeria contact GAC Nigeria at nigeria@gac.com
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Delaware River Delaware River Safety Zone New Castle Range
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone within New Castle Range in the Delaware River north of Pea Patch Island beginning at 10:30 a.m. on January 17th, 2012 until 1:30 p.m. During this time a dive boat and survey vessel will be operating in approximate position 39 36.27 N 075 34.21 W conducting salvage operations. Vessels needing passage through the safety zone must request permission from the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay through the onscene patrol commander who can be reached via VHF radio on channel 16. Vessels are advised to contact the patrol commander at least 1 hour prior to arrival. Any questions regarding the contents of this bulletin can be addressed with the Waterways Management staff at (215) 271-4889 or with CG Sector Delaware Bay Command Center at (215) 271-4807.
(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.01-12 dated 1 anuary 2012
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Delaware River Marcus Hook Range dredging operations update
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a safety zone within New Castle Range in the Delaware River around the Dredge ESSEX beginning January 14, 2012 until further notice. During this time the Dredge ESSEX will be operating within the downriver portion of Marcus Hook Range, south of the Sunoco Marcus Hook Refinery.
Vessels requesting to transit Marcus Hook Range shall contact the Dredge ESSEX on channel 13 or 16 VHF, 30 minutes prior to arrival. Vessels shall then transit around the dredge project, utilizing the downriver portion of the Marcus Hook Anchorage below Sunoco Marcus Hook Refinery, while operating at the minimum safe speed necessary to maintain steerage and reduce wake.
During this time period the lower portion of the anchorage shall be closed with the exception of transiting traffic. Vessels desiring to anchor within the upriver portion of Marcus Hook Anchorage must obtain permission from the Captain of the Port at least 24 hours in advance, at (215) 271-4807.
The COTP will permit one vessel at a time in Marcus Hook Anchorage on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. Vessels will not be permitted to occupy the anchorage beyond 24 hours. Vessels are encouraged to use Mantua Creek Anchorage (Anchorage # 9) and Deepwater Point Anchorage (Anchorage # 6) as alternatives.
The operator of any vessel in the safety zone shall proceed as directed by the designated representative of the Captain of the Port and shall contact the Dredge ESSEX on channel 13 or 16 VHF, for passing information.
(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.02-12 dated 14 January 2012
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: United Arab Emirates PORT: Abu Dhabi Flags Restricted from entering UAE Ports
Please find below instructions from the UAE Government regarding restrictions on certain Flagged vessels in entering UAE waters.
NOTIFICATION TO SHIPPING AGENTS – NTA 05/2011 FLAGS RESTRICTED FROM ENTERING UAE PORTS
Please note the following instructions regarding vessels registered in the following countries for entry into UAE Ports: – Albania – Belize – Bolivia – Tonga – Costa Rica – Ghana – Georgia – Maldives – Mauritius – Cambodia – Sao Tome & Principe – St. Vincent & Grenadines – Honduras
Vessels flying the above flags are restricted from entering UAE Ports, waiting at anchor or sailing in territorial waters unless they carry a valid classification certificate issued by any of the following members of the International Association of Classification Society (I.A.C.S): – Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (LR), United Kingdom – Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NKK), Japan – Bureau Veritas (BV), France – Germanischer Lloyd (GL), Germany – Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Norway – American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), U.S.A – Russian Register of Shipping (RRS), Russia – Korean Register of Shipping (KR), Korea – Chinese Register of Shipping (CRS), China – Registry Italiano Naval (RINA), Italy
(For information about operations in Abu Dhabi contact NSGAC Abu Dhabi at abudhabi@gac.com)
Source: Abu Dhabi Terminals Circular No.ADT – COM/044 /2011 dated 15 January 2012
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Reclamation of Jurong Island
The working period for reclamation work at Jurong Island has been extended.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.05 of 2012, dated 16 January 2012, the works will be carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays and Public Holidays – from 16 January to 15 July 2012, within a working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum): 1) 01° 15.657’N / 103° 43.294’E 2) 01° 15.626’N / 103° 43.332’E 3) 01° 15.564’N / 103° 43.458’E 4) 01° 15.751’N / 103° 43.868’E 5) 01° 15.857’N / 103° 43.932’E 6) 01° 15.981’N / 103° 43.934’E 7) 01° 16.091’N / 103° 43.877’E 8) 01° 16.160’N / 103° 43.775’E 9) 01° 15.260’N / 103° 43.532’E
The work will entail the removal of existing rocks, dredging and reclamation works in the working area. Shore protection works will be carried out by crane barges and dredger. Soil investigation works will also be carried out in the working area.
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to: (a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working area; (b) Maintain a proper look-out; (c) Proceed at a safe speed; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 22; and (e) Communicate with Jurong Control on VHF Channel 22 for any assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Turkey PORT: Turkish Straits Snow causes poor visibility
The Istanbul Strait was closed due to poor visibilty caused by snow at 15:33 hours local time today (16 January).
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
DATE: January 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Egypt PORT: Suez Canal Onboard weapons and ammunition
From today (16 January) the Masters’ declarations of onboard weapons & ammunition will not be accepted. Weapons should be landed upon arrival at Suez anchorage area and stored under Port Security custody for re-delivery on the next transit upon exiting the Suez Canal, or sailing for vessels calling for port operations.
The above is to be done under the following terms: 1) 72 hours’ notice prior vessel arrival Suez Canal area. 2) Storage fees USD 2000. per month or part plus about USD 700-1000 as sundries per operation. 3) Transportation for landing and delivery of weapons to be arranged by Shipping Agency through Concerned Authority and cost to be followed.
Important note:
Currently, the Suez Canal Authority will not allow vessels passing the Suez Canal southbound (from Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea) to transit carrying weapons/ammunition onboard. Master’s declaration will not be accepted and vessel is to land the weapons/ammunitions prior transit with no transportation to other side of the canal (Suez) till further notice.
For information about operations in the Suez Canal contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com
