Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Worldwide – Passenger ship safety recommendations agreed by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee
- United States, Delaware River – Hurricane Contingency Plan appendices & checklists
- Hong Kong, all ports – Typhoon Season in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Dredging North of Urmston Road Anchorage
- Brazil, all ports – Customs staff to strike
- Bunker Update – 30/05/12
DATE: May 30, 2012 – COUNTRY: Worldwide – Passenger ship safety recommendations agreed by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee
Recommended interim measures aimed at enhancing the safety of passenger ships, in the wake of the Costa Concordia incident in January, were agreed by IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization’s London Headquarters for its 90th session from 16 to 25 May 2012.
The MSC adopted a resolution, which invites Member States to recommend that passenger ship companies conduct a review of operational safety measures, to ships flying their flag, on a voluntary basis and “with all possible urgency and efficiency”, taking into consideration the recommended interim operational measures listed in an MSC circular.
The recommended interim measures include:
*carrying additional lifejackets, to be readily accessible in public spaces, at the muster/assembly stations, on deck or in lifeboats, so that in the event of an emergency passengers need not return to their cabins to retrieve the lifejacket stored there;
* reviewing the adequacy of the dissemination and communication of the emergency instructions on board ships;
* carrying out the muster for embarking passengers prior to departure from every port of embarkation, if the duration is 24 hours or more;
* limiting access to the bridge to those with operational or operationally related functions, during any period of restricted manoeuvring, or while manoeuvring in conditions that the master or company bridge procedures/policy deems to require increased vigilance (e.g. arrival/departure from port, heavy traffic, poor visibility);
and
* ensuring that the ship’s voyage plan has taken into account IMO’s Guidelines for voyage planning, and, if appropriate, Guidelines on voyage planning for passenger ships operating in remote areas.
The adoption of the resolution followed consideration of information provided by the Government of Italy on the investigation into the Costa Concordia incident, as well as preliminary proposals on enhancing the safety of passenger ships brought to the Committee’s attention by the Government of Italy and other Member States, as well as by the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review.
The resolution encourages “Member States and the passenger ship industry to take the necessary actions to ensure that their current safety standards, procedures and best management practices are fully and effectively implemented”.
The MSC also agreed, in principle, to an action plan on long-term work for passenger ship safety, pending the review of the report of investigation into the loss of the Costa Concordia.
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu welcomed the “appropriate and timely actions in response to the loss of the Costa Concordia”.
The MSC also approved, for adoption at MSC 91, new draft SOLAS requirements (new regulation III/17-1) to require ships to have plans and procedures to recover persons from the water, as well as related Guidelines for development of plans and procedures for recovery of persons from the water. The MSC also approved a draft MSC resolution on Implementation of SOLAS regulation III/17-1 to ships other than those engaged in international voyages.
(For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. For details, go to the ‘Contact’ section of www.gac.com)
Source: International Maritime Bureau (www.icc-ccs.org) briefing:18 dated May 25, 2012
DATE: May 30, 2012 – COUNTRY: United States – PORT: Delaware River – Hurricane Contingency Plan appendices & checklists
The USCG Sector Delaware Bay has published the 2012 Port Hurricane Contingency Plan Appendices and Checklists for the 2012 season.
They can viewed at the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware Bay and River USCG Hurricen Alerts web page at http://www.maritimedelriv.com/
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: May 30, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: all ports Typhoon Season in Hong Kong
Owners, agents and charterers are requested to remind their ship masters of the need to take precautionary measures during the approach of tropical cyclones.
Masters, owners, agents and persons in control of vessels are also reminded of their obligation to comply with any direction issued by the Director of Marine concerning the safe operations of vessels and the port, or in relation to any matter which the Director may give directions under the Laws of Hong Kong.
When a tropical cyclone warning is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, every vessel which is moored to the following government mooring buoys shall clear anchors and cables and prepare the main propulsion machinery to full power condition and such vessel, shall, if so directed by the Director, leave the mooring buoy:- “A” mooring “B” mooring A17, A29, A35, B2, B3, B4 A39, A43, Other details of government mooring buoys can be obtained at Marine Department’s website (http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/
The master of a ship moored to a government mooring buoy may, at his discretion, drop a bower anchor under foot to lessen the tendency to sheer. This should not impair the efficiency of the mooring, although an anchor should not be used during normal weather conditions.
Masters are reminded that every vessel within the waters of Hong Kong must maintain a continuous listening watch on the VHF radio channel appropriate to the VHF sector in which the vessel is located, or another VHF channel as may be specified by the Vessel Traffic Centre (call sign “Mardep”). The Centre will broadcast tropical cyclone information from time to time when the tropical cyclone warning signals have been issued. Masters should also listen to local radio broadcasts for weather advisory information bulletins.
An inadequately manned vessel during the passage of a tropical cyclone not only places herself at risk but also endangers the port and other vessels. The attention of masters, owners, agents and charterers of vessels is therefore drawn to Regulation 26(1) of the Shipping and Port Control Regulations, Cap. 313A, which states that:-
“A ship shall, while within the waters of Hong Kong, have onboard at all times such number of crew as is, in the opinion of the Director, qualified and capable of carrying out all duties which may reasonably be required to ensure the safety of the ship having regard to the circumstances pertaining thereto.”
Further information on minimum safe manning levels on ships while in the waters of Hong Kong can be found in Marine Department website (http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/
(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.70 of 2012 dated 30 May 2012
DATE: May 30, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: Hong Kong Dredging North of Urmston Road Anchorage
For approximately 2 months, dredging operations will be carried out [North of Urmston Road Anchorage] within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS84 Datum)from (A) to (D):
- (A) 22 deg. 25.200’N / 113 deg. 52.499’E
- (B) 22 deg. 25.393’N / 113 deg. 53.125’E
- (C) 22 deg. 25.186’N / 113 deg. 53.237’E
- (D) 22 deg. 24.993’N / 113 deg. 52.569’E
The works will be carried out by one grab dredger and one derrick barge. Two hopper barges and three work boats will assist in the works. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 100 meters around the grab dredger and 80 meters around the derrick barge will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the dredger and the derrick barge. The works will normally be carried out round-the-clock.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
(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.72 of 2012 dated 30 May 2012
DATE: May 30, 2012 – COUNTRY: Brazil – PORT: all ports Customs staff to strike
Customs staff at Rio de Janeiro are preparing to strike for 24 hours from tonight (30 May) as part of their fight for a pay rise.
The strike is part of a national action at international airports/ports across the country if a pay dispute with the federal government cannot be resolved. Customs officers have been holding negotiations with the Federal Government since 11 May.
Delays are expected in all customs activities, including clearance process, as a result of the strike.
For information about operations in Brazil contact GAC Brazil at shipping.brazil@gac.com
DATE: May 30, 2012 Bunker Update: 30/05/12
Middle East
Qatar IFO380: 0 IFO180: 0 MDO: 0 MGO: 945
Salalah IFO380: 763 IFO180: 803 MDO: 0 MGO: 1180
Indian Subcontinent
Mumbai IFO380: 668.5 IFO180: 686.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 1059.5
Egypt & Mediterranean
Istanbul IFO380: 670.5 IFO180: 695.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 980.5
Malta LS IFO380: 728.5 IFO180: 750.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 0
Europe & Africa
Durban IFO380: 0 IFO180: 682.5 MDO: 1104.5 MGO: 0
Americas
Rio de Janeiro IFO380: 666.5 IFO180: 690 MDO: 0 MGO: 970
Asia Pacific
Busan IFO380: 670 IFO180: 680 MDO: 1030 MGO: 980
Hong Kong IFO380: 661.5 IFO180: 675.5 MDO: 1034 MGO: 920.5
Kaohsiung IFO380: 699 IFO180: 710 MDO: 1040 MGO: 963
Shanghai IFO380: 662 IFO180: 677 MDO: 0 MGO: 1066.5
Singapore IFO380: 652 IFO180: 668 MDO: 1020 MGO: 944.5
For any questions relating to the above or any otherbunkering matters, contact GAC Bunker Fuels on Tel +44-20-8749 7355 (24 hours) or by e-mail: bunker.gb@gac.com bunker.ae@gac.com bunker.sa@gac.com bunker.sg@gac.com bunker.eg@gac.com
