Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Norway, all ports – Norwegian pilots on strike
- Singapore, Singapore – Repairs to existing revetment off Sembawang Park
- Singapore, Singapore – Repairs to existing revetment off Labrador Park
- Singapore, Singapore – Repairs to Kranji Dam
- Philippines, Davao – Davao Port privatisation
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Submarine Outfall Inspection Works off Wan Chai East
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Dredging off Black Point Power Station
DATE: May 31, 2012 COUNTRY: Norway PORT: all ports Norwegian pilots on strike
The Norwegian Coastal Administration has advised that public sector strike has escalated, and that with effect from 0700 hours yesterday (30 May), 103 pilot boat skippers are on strike, affecting a major part of the maritime services.
The strike is in the government tariff area, by members of the three main unions LO Stat, YS Stat and Unio. As far as the Norwegian Coastal Administration is concerned, this affects the pilots in the Oslofjord and pilot boat skippers who are members of the pilot boat skippers association (Losbatforernes Forbund).
Most of the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s pilot boat stations are closed. At this stage, it is the drivers of the pilot boats (the carrier service) that have been brought out on strike. As a result, the Norwegian Coastal Administration cannot transfer pilots to and from vessels. Those affected by the strike are therefore those vessels that are subject to compulsory pilotage.
However, not all the resources of the carrier service have been brought out on strike. Some pilot boat stations have reduced operations, while some places – where services are hired in – are operating as usual.
The strike is only affecting the pilot boat service, not the helicopter transport service for pilots.
Where assignments may have to be prioritised during the strike, ships/voyages will be prioritised on the basis of life, health and the environment.
Safety is still being maintained along the coast. The operational services at the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s five traffic centres are working normally, which means that information services, the navigational assistance service and the traffic regulation service are all operating normally.
For a full summary of affected and non-affected pilot stations or information about operations in Norway contact GAC Norway at norway@gac.com
DATE: May 31, 2012 – COUNTRY: Singapore – PORT: Singapore – Repairs to existing revetment off Sembawang Park
Repair works to the existing revetment off Sembawang Park are underway from 30 May to 30 August.
Accoridng to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.74 of 2012 dated 30 May 2012, the works are being conducted 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum): 1) 01° 27.845’N / 103° 50.187’E 2) 01° 27.875’N / 103° 50.201’E 3) 01° 27.861’N / 103° 50.242’E 4) 01° 27.831’N / 103° 50.230’E
The repair works will entail the removal of the damaged area and restoring the wall back to its original design by land excavator. A work barge will be used for transportation of equipment and material to the work site. A barge used in the project works will be shifted by tugs operating in pusher mode. A safety boat will be in attendance at all times to warn and re-direct craft in the vicinity to keep clear of 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 lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed & navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 21 (Sembawang Control); and (e) Communicate with Sembawang Control on Channel 21 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: May 31, 2012 – COUNTRY: Singapore – PORT: Singapore – Repairs to existing revetment off Labrador Park
– From 30 May to 30 August, repair works are underway to the existing revetment off Labrador Park.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.73 of 2012 dated 30 May 2012, the works are being conducted 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
- 1) 01° 15.774’N / 103° 48.267’E
- 2) 01° 15.766’N / 103° 48.259’E
- 3) 01° 15.912’N / 103° 48.100’E
- 4) 01° 15.920’N / 103° 48.107’E
The repair works will entail the removal of the damaged area and restoring the wall back to its original design by land excavator. A work barge will be used for transportation of equipment and material to the work site. A barge used in the project works will be shifted by tugs operating in pusher mode. A safety boat will be in attendance at all times to warn and re-direct craft in the vicinity to keep clear of 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 lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed & navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 25 (Pasir Panjang Control) and; (e) Communicate with Pasir Panjang Control on Channel 25 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: May 31, 2012 – COUNTRY: Singapore – PORT: Singapore – Repairs to Kranji Dam – The working period for repairs on Kranji Dam has been extended.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.72 of 2012 dated 30 May 12, the works will be conducted from 0800 to 1900 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – between 1 June and 30 November, within the area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum): 1) 01° 26.405’N / 103° 44.184’E 2) 01° 26.405’N / 103° 44.234’E 3) 01° 26.324’N / 103° 44.234’E 4) 01° 26.324’N / 103° 44.184’E
The repair works will entail the removal of the damaged area and restoring the wall back to its original design. A work barge will be used for transportation of equipment and material to the work site. A safety boat will be in attendance at all times to warn and re-direct craft in the vicinity to keep clear of 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 lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed & navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 22 (Jurong Control); (e) Communicate with Jurong Control on Channel 22 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: May 31, 2012 COUNTRY: Philippines PORT: Davao Davao Port privatisation
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has laid the groundwork for privatisation of the Port of Davao, the country’s main port for banana exports.
A port site inspection, port operations assessment and discussions with representatives of cargo-handling operators and major shippers have already been carried out. The PPA is looking to privatise Sasa Wharf this year.
Bananas represent about 70% of products handled at Sasa Wharf, which is nearing capacity with berth utilization at 90%. Foreign shipping lines have expressed their wish to expand the facility. The lines are recommending repair of the terminal structure so it can accommodate ship-to-shore quay crantes that could reduce vessel turnaround time from 48 hours to 24 hours. At the moment, only self-sustaining vessels call at the port.
Foreign carriers also the government to dedicate Sasa Wharf to foreign vessels, and for the port to implement a policy allowing shipping lines to buy docking slot time instead of the current first-come first-serve policy.
Cargo throughput in Davao has been growing at 7-8% annually since eight years ago.
For information about operations in the Philippines contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
DATE: May 31, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: Hong Kong Submarine Outfall Inspection Works off Wan Chai East
From 4 June 2012 and for approximately seven days, submarine outfall inspection works will be carried out off Wan Chai East in the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum): (A) 22 deg. 17.306’N / 114 deg. 10.663’E (B) 22 deg. 17.311’N / 114 deg. 10.692’E (C) 22 deg. 17.204’N / 114 deg. 10.712’E (D) 22 deg. 17.199’N / 114 deg. 10.684’E
One work boat will carry out the works. One guard boat will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 25 metres around the work boat will be established. The hours of works will be from 0800 to 1700 hours. The vessels employed for the works will not stay in the works area outside the hours of works.
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.69 of 2012 dated 30 May 2012
DATE: May 31, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: Hong Kong Dredging off Black Point Power Station
For approximately 4 months, dredging operations will be carried out [off Black Point Power Station] within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline: (A) 22 deg. 25.127’N / 113 deg. 54.830’E (B) 22 deg. 25.327’N / 113 deg. 54.605’E (C) 22 deg. 25.170’N / 113 deg. 54.444’E (D) 22 deg. 24.970’N / 113 deg. 54.669’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 metres 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.71 of 2012 dated 30 May 2012
