Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Worldwide – Piracy attacks in East & West Africa dominate world report * Singapore, Singapore – Dredging off Pasir Panjang Terminal
*Kong, Hong Kong – Seawall Inspection Works at Power Station *Australia, Newcastle – Port charges increase
DATE: January 19, 2012- COUNTRY: Worldwide -Piracy attacks in East & West Africa dominate world report
Pirate attacks against vessels in East and West Africa accounted for the majority of world attacks in 2011, signalling a rising trend, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) global piracy report revealed today. Of the 439 attacks reported to the IMB in 2011, 275 attacks took place off Somalia on the east coast and in the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa. The report showed a slight drop in the total number of recorded incidents of piracy and armed robbery worldwide, comparing the 439 recorded incidents of piracy and armed robbery in 2011 to 445 in 2010. The falling numbers come after four consecutive years of increased piracy and armed robbery worldwide. The 802 crew members taken hostage in 2011 also marks a decrease from the four-year high of 1, 181 in 2010. Overall in 2011, there were 45 vessels hijacked, 176 vessels boarded, 113 vessels fired upon and 105 reported attempted attacks. A total of eight crew members were killed throughout the year, the same number as 2010. Somali pirates continue to account for the majority of attacks – approximately 54%. But while the overall number of Somali incidents increased from 219 in 2010 to 237 in 2011, the number of successful hijackings decreased from 49 to 28. The overall figures for Somali piracy could have been much higher if it were not for the continued efforts of international naval forces, IMB reports. In the last quarter of 2011 alone, pre-emptive strikes by international navies disrupted at least 20 Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) before they could become a threat to commercial fleets. The last quarter of 2010 saw 90 incidents and 19 vessels hijacked; in 2011, those numbers fell to 31 and four, respectively…. ….Although the number of vessels employing and reporting the carriage of PCASP increased in 2011, the regulation and vetting of PCASP still needs to be adequately addressed. Until such time as a comprehensive legal framework is in place, owners and Masters should follow the International Maritime Organization and industry guidelines on the carriage of PCASP. The IMB report shows that Somali pirate attacks were predominantly concentrated within the cross roads of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. However, 2011 marked the first hijacking by Somali pirates of an anchored vessel from within the territorial waters of a foreign State namely, Oman – highlighting the need for ports and vessels at anchorages in the region to be vigilant. Elsewhere, Nigeria and Benin continued to be piracy hotspots. While 10 attacks were reported in Nigeria, including two hijackings, IMB warns that this number is not representative of the real threat of Nigeria piracy. Under-reporting of attacks in Nigeria continues to be a cause for concern, and IMB states that it is aware of at least another 34 unreported incidents in Nigerian waters. Also in 2011 a probable extension of Nigerian piracy into neighbouring Benin included 20 incidents against tankers, eight of which were hijacked and had cargoes partly stolen. Although the average length of captivity for ships taken off the coasts of Nigeria and Benin tends to be roughly 10 days, compared to six months in Somali hijackings, IMB warns that these attacks can be more violent. In South East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, vessels in Bangladesh reported 10 incidents of armed robbery in the approaches to Chittagong. This is a significant reduction from the 23 incidents reported in 2010 and reflects the initiatives taken by the Bangladesh Coast Guard to curb piracy in their waters. Nonetheless, anchorages in the approaches to Chittagong remain an area of concern. Indonesia has seen a rise in armed robbery for the second straight year. The incidents continue to be local and opportunistic, according to IMB, and usually against anchored vessels. The 46 reported incidents – up from 40 in 2010 – include 41 vessels boarded, two attempted attacks, and three cases of tugs and barges being hijacked whilst underway. Attacks in the South China Sea fell from 31 in 2010 to 13 in 2011. This included nine boarded vessels, three attempted attacks, and the hijacking of one tug and its barge. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) is the world’s only manned centre receiving and disseminating reports of piracy and armed robbery 24 hours a day, across the globe. As part of the ICC, it is an independent body set up to monitor attacks, free of political interference. IMB strongly urges shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted, and suspicious piracy and armed robbery incidents to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. Transparent statistics from an independent, non-political organization is vital to encouraging authorities to allocate resources to tackle piracy firmly…. (For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Contact details may be found at www.gac.com)
Source: International Maritime Bureau (www.icc-cccs.org) release dated 19 January 2012
DATE: January 19, 2012-COUNTRY: Singapore-PORT: Singapore- Dredging off Pasir Panjang Terminal
Dredging works will be carried out off Pasir Panjang Terminal from 25 January to 24 July 2012. According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.07 of 2012, the works will be conducted 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working areas bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum): Working Area “Sector A” 1) 1° 16.831’N / 103° 44.853’E 2) 1° 16.933’N / 103° 44.908’E 3) 1° 16.875’N / 103° 45.012’E 4) 1° 16.773’N / 103° 44.951’E
Working Area “Sector B’ 5) 1° 16.949’N / 103° 44.950’E 6) 1° 17.042’N / 103° 45.005’E 7) 1° 16.996’N / 103° 45.083’E 8) 1° 16.902’N / 103° 45.028’E
Working Area “Sector C” 6) 1° 17.042’N / 103° 45.005’E 7) 1° 16.996’N / 103° 45.083’E 10) 1° 17.089’N / 103° 45.138’E 9) 1° 17.135’N / 103° 45.061’E
Working Area “Sector D” 10) 1° 17.089’N / 103° 45.138’E 11) 1° 17.116’N / 103° 45.094’E 12) 1° 17.199’N / 103° 45.144’E 13) 1° 17.168’N / 103° 45.197’E 13a) 1° 17.141’N / 103° 45.181’E 10a) 1° 17.138’N / 103° 45.168’E
Working Area “Sector E” 14) 1° 17.149’N / 103° 45.236’E 14a) 1° 17.192’N / 103° 45.229’E 14b) 1° 17.202’N / 103° 45.293’E 14c) 1° 17.159’N / 103° 45.300’E
Working Area “Sector F” 14b) 1° 17.202’N / 103° 45.293’E 14c) 1° 17.159’N / 103° 45.300’E 15a) 1° 17.175’N / 103° 45.396’E 15) 1° 17.217’N / 103° 45.389’E
Working Area “Sector G” 16) 1° 17.340’N / 103° 44.995’E 17) 1° 17.416’N / 103° 45.041’E 18) 1° 17.436’N / 103° 45.146’E 19) 1° 17.373’N / 103° 45.159’E
Working Area “Sector H” 18) 1° 17.436’N / 103° 45.146’E 19) 1° 17.373’N / 103° 45.159’E 20) 1° 17.393’N / 103° 45.265’E 21) 1° 17.471’N / 103° 45.252’E
Working Area “Sector J” 21) 1° 17.471’N / 103° 45.252’E 22) 1° 17.478’N / 103° 45.358’E 23) 1° 17.393’N / 103° 45.375’E 24) 1° 17.372’N / 103° 45.269’E
Working Area “Sector K” 22) 1° 17.478’N / 103° 45.358’E 22) 1° 17.478’N / 103° 45.358’E 25) 1° 17.414’N / 103° 45.480’E 26) 1° 17.472’N / 103° 45.469’E 27) 1° 17.487’N / 103° 45.400’E
Working Area “Sector L” 26) 1° 17.472’N / 103° 45.469’E 28) 1° 17.382’N / 103° 45.487’E 29) 1° 17.413’N / 103° 45.645’E 30) 1° 17.436’N / 103° 45.640’E
Working Area “Sector M” 31) 1° 17.248’N / 103° 45.793’E 32) 1° 17.220’N / 103° 45.839’E 33) 1° 17.173’N / 103° 45.812’E 34) 1° 17.201’N / 103° 45.761’E
Working Area “Sector N” 35) 1° 17.072’N / 103° 45.903’E 36) 1° 17.045’N / 103° 45.950’E 37) 1° 16.998’N / 103° 45.922’E 38) 1° 17.026’N / 103° 45.876’E
Working Area “Sector P” 39) 1° 17.085’N / 103° 46.099’E 40) 1° 17.122’N / 103° 46.121’E 41) 1° 17.081’N / 103° 46.191’E 42) 1° 17.043’N / 103° 46.169’E
Working Area “Sector Q” 43) 1° 17.067’N / 103° 46.214’E 44) 1° 17.017’N / 103° 46.297’E 45) 1° 16.939’N / 103° 46.251’E 46) 1° 16.989’N / 103° 46.168’E
Working Area “Sector R” 47) 1° 16.868’N / 103° 46.096’E 48) 1° 16.813’N / 103° 46.189’E 49) 1° 16.757’N / 103° 46.156’E 50) 1° 16.867’N / 103° 46.063’E
Working Area “Sector S” 51) 1° 16.810’N / 103° 44.981’E 52) 1° 16.755’N / 103° 45.073’E 53) 1° 16.713’N / 103° 45.048’E 54) 1° 16.769’N / 103° 44.956’E
Dredging works will be carried out by the work barge “Rhea”, held in position by 2 spuds as anchors. The work barge, with hopper barges in attendance, will have a circular safety working zone of 50-metre radius centred at the dredgers. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges assisted by pusher tugs. A crane barge, hopper barge and two tugs will be working at one sector at any one time. During the operation, the crane barge and hopper barge will be attended by tug boats. The tug boats will be used to shift the crane barge and hopper barge, when required to clear the fairway for vessels to berth or unberth. Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals. When in the vicinity of the working areas, mariners are reminded to: (a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working areas; (b) Maintain a proper lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 25 (Pasir Panjang Control); and (e) Communicate with Pasir Panjang Control on VHF Channel 25 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: January 19, 2012-COUNTRY: Hong Kong-PORT: Hong Kong- Seawall Inspection Works at Power Station
For approximately three weeks, seawall inspection works will be carried out [at Castle Peak Power Station, Tap Shek Kok] within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline: (A) 22º 22.234’N / 113º 55.225’E (B) 22º 22.195’N / 113º 55.196’E (C) 22º 22.216’N / 113º 55.162’E (D) 22º 22.255’N / 113º 55.193’E
One derrick lighter will carry out the works. One work boat will provide assistance. A working area of approximately 50 metres around the lighter will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the lighter. The hours of works will be round-the-clock. Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of works. Vessels engaged in the works will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations. Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the area. (For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.11 of 2012
DATE: January 19, 2012-COUNTRY: Australia-PORT: Newcastle-Port charges increase
The Port Corporation of Newcastle has announced that a rate increase will come into effect for some services at the port with effect from 27 February 2012. The Navigation Service Charge has changed, rising from $0.4312 per GRT to $0.4476 per GRT (GST inclusive). The Maximum charge has also changed from $45, 850 to $47, 592 (GST inclusive) Pilotage Rates have also increased. Vessels 10, 001 to 35, 000 GRT From $650 + $0.06 per GRT to $675 + $0.0623 per GRT and Vessels over 35, 000 GRT $3050 + 0.005 pre GRT over 40, 000 GT to $3230 + $0.0052 per GRT over 35, 000 GRT All rates are GST inclusive All other rates remain unchanged For further details and information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
