HOT Port news from GAC

Your daily news service from ports around the world.

In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:

• South Africa, Cape Town – Issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificates
• Singapore, Singapore – Submarine cable installation off Changi East
• Australia, Portland – Port status update
• Australia, Port Kembla – Coal Terminal industrial dispute update: 21 February 2012

DATE: February 21, 2012- COUNTRY: South Africa – PORT: Cape Town – Issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificates

From today (21 February), Cape Town Harbour is authorised to issue Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates (SSCEC), Ship Sanitation Control Certificates (SSCC) and extensions to the SSC.

For further details and information about operations in South Africa contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com

DATE: February 21, 2012 – COUNTRY: Singapore – PORT: Singapore – Submarine cable installation off Changi East

From 22 February to 30 April 2012, submarine cable installation work will be carried out off Changi East.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.19 of 2012, the works will be conducted 24 hours  daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – off Tanah Merah, on a route indicated by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum): 1) 01° 18.664’N / 104° 00.187’E 2) 01° 18.511’N / 104° 00.379’E 3) 01° 17.037’N / 104° 02.850’E 4) 01° 17.035’N / 104° 02.852’E

The submarine cable installation will entail pre-trenching works, locating of out-of-service cable crossings, rock cutting works and cable laying operations. The works will be carried out by the cable laying barge “Asean Protector”. The  safety zone is a circular area with a radius of  150 meters centered at the location of the barge.

A safety boat will be deployed in the vicinity to warn other craft to keep clear of the operation.

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 lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed & navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on appropriate VHF Channel 12; and (e) Communicate with East Control on VHF Channel 12 for assistance, if required.

For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com

DATE: February 21, 2012 – COUNTRY: Australia – PORT: Portland – Port status update

The Harbour Master at the Port of Portland has advised that there is limited access to the port area, following a liquid pitch spill incident.

Any port user requiring access to the port area must obtain an entry permit from the local CFA office on Percy Street.

Shipping activity has resumed but not at all berths.

Further shipping activity and port operations including loading/discharging of vessels will be based on approval from the incident controller. This approval is contingent on air quality monitoring being carried out at specific location within the port area.

For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com

DATE: February 21, 2012 – COUNTRY: Australia – PORT: Port Kembla – Coal Terminal industrial dispute update: 21 February 2012 

Port Kembla Coal Terminal has advised of further stoppages by their workforce, members of the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU), as follows:-

– 2 hours from 07:00 to 09:00 on Thu 23 February

– 4 hours from 17:00 to 21:00 on Thu 23 February

– 12 hours from 07:00 to 18:59 on Fri 24 February

– 2 hours from 07:00 to 09:00 on Sat 25 February

– 4 hours from 17:00 to 21:00 on Sat 25 February

– 24 hours from 07:00 on Sun 26 February to 06:59 on Mon 27 February

During the stoppages there will be no vessel loading or cargo delivery at the terminal.

There is presently 1 vessel alongside loading and 13 vessels at anchorage waiting to load with another 2 vessels due end Feb.

For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com