Your daily* news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Worldwide – IMB survey notes container security challenges
- Singapore, all ports – Cancellation of bunkering licence
- Philippines, all ports – Tropical Storm “Butchoy”
- Hong Kong, all ports – Safety precautions in accessing cargo holds
- Brazil, all ports – Customs auditors to strike
- Bunker Update – 15/06/12
DATE: June 15, 2012 – COUNTRY: Worldwide IMB survey notes container security challenges
The results of a recent survey conducted by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in conjunction with an international trade association have served to underline the challenges associated with container security and theft from containers.
The recent survey of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) membership found that thefts occurred from consignments carried by all of the major container shipping lines, on shipments originating in many countries. The common factor was that the thefts occurred in consignments almost exclusively bound for southern China – though this is more a reflection of the fact that the country is by far and away the biggest importer of scrap metals. Losses were however also reported in other parts of the world….
….Most of the respondents reported that usually a small proportion of the goods carried in the containers were stolen, often between one and five percent of the total container-load, though there were cases where entire container loads had gone missing. Whilst in isolation such losses may appear to be negligible, the overall losses experienced are significant, given the relative price increases that such commodities have experienced over the last couple of years.
In some of the cases where a part of cargo was stolen, it has been reported that the container seal (designed, in theory, to indicate whether or not a container has been opened between parties in different locations) remained intact despite the fact that someone had clearly gained access. In one case, torches and shovels were found inside the container once it reached its intended destination!
The IMB has investigated cases where organised gangs have found ways to obtain information on the contents of containers in transit, compromise individuals working in port authorities and haulage firms using incentives and threats, organise the theft of the goods in the container and have it spirited away or sold before the victims can mount an investigation….
….Over more than 30 years, the IMB has investigated numerous cargo thefts of many types, including recently several cases of goods going missing from containers. For more details of IMB services please call +44 207 423 6960 or email imb@icc-ccs.org.
(For information about operations round the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found in the “Contact” section of www.gac.com)
Source: Extracts from ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) briefing dated 14 June 2012 – www.icc-ccs.org
DATE: June 15, 2012 – COUNTRY: Singapore – PORT: all ports Cancellation of bunkering licence -The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has, with immediate effect, cancelled:
i) the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier) of Winbuild Petrofin Pte Ltd (“Winbuild”) for allowing another company to use Winbuild’s Bunker Delivery Notes (BDNs) to supply bunkers to the customers of that other company in breach of Clause 3 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier);
and
ii) the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Craft Operator) of Winbuild Petrofin Pte Ltd for delivering bunkers, as a bunker craft operator, on behalf of an unlicensed company to customers of that unlicensed company in breach of Clause 30 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Craft Operator).
MPA wish to remind all Bunker Suppliers and Bunker Craft Operators that: i) under Clause 3 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier), bunker suppliers shall not transfer, assign, sublet, share, part with or otherwise dispose of any of its rights, duties, liabilities, obligations and privileges under the terms and conditions of the Licence; and ii) under Clause 30 of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Craft Operator), bunker craft operators shall not make use of any bunker craft to deliver bunkers on behalf of any person, firm or company or which is not a bunker supplier licensed by MPA.
The MPA will not hesitate to suspend or cancel the bunkering licence of any bunker supplier or bunker craft operator that is found to have contravened any of the terms and conditions of the Licences.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.9 of 2012 dated 15 June 2012
DATE: June 15, 2012 – COUNTRY: Philippines – PORT: all ports – Tropical Storm “Butchoy”
At 4:00 a.m. today, Tropical Storm “BUTCHOY” was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 620 km east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar (10.3°N, 132.0°E) with maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 130 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 15 kph. Southwest monsoon affecting Luzon.
Forecast: Luzon will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western section which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of the country will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the whole arhipelago with moderate to rough seas.
(For information about operations in the Philippines contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com)
Source: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Forecast issued at 5:00am on 15 June 2012
DATE: June 15, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: all ports – Safety precautions in accessing cargo holds
A fatal accident occurred on board a container vessel undergoing repair at a shipyard in August last year in which a shipyard electrician fell 14 metres down to the bottom of a cargo hold.
The investigation into the accident reveals that the electrician was carrying an electric blower in his hand whilst climbing down a fixed vertical ladder to a service platform inside the cargo hold. He lost grip of the ladder and fell across the handrails of the service platform below down to the bottom of the cargo hold.
To avoid the recurrence of similar accidents, persons in charge of works, employers, works supervisors, foremen and workers participated in marine works are reminded to adhere strictly to the following safety instructions when accessing to cargo holds, in particular, they should:- i) wear work shoes with slip-resistant soles; ii) do not hold objects in hands when climbing a ladder, always face the ladder and maintain a three-point contact (two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand); iii) neither climb up or down the sides of a ladder nor slide down from a ladder; and iv) apply the appropriate means (e.g. use lifting gear with sufficient strength and length) and provide extra manpower, if needed, to transfer an object between levels.
(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.83 of 2012
DATE: June 15, 2012 – COUNTRY: Brazil – PORT: all ports Customs auditors to strike
On Monday, 18 June, Brazilian Customs auditors at airports, seaports and borders will start an indefinite strike.
The strike will affect services such as storage, customs clearance of import/export containers. Berthing/unberthing at ports may also be delayed.
For information about operations in Brazil contact GAC Brazil at shipping.brazil@gac.com or logistics.brazil@gac.com
DATE: June 15, 2012 Bunker Update: 15/06/12
Middle East
- Qatar IFO380: 0 IFO180: 0 MDO: 0 MGO: 915
- Salalah IFO380: 645 IFO180: 685 MDO: 0 MGO: 1190
Indian Subcontinent
- Mumbai IFO380: 617.5 IFO180: 631.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 1001.5
Egypt & Mediterranean
- Istanbul IFO380: 617.5 IFO180: 637.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 896.5
- Malta LS IFO380: 668.5 IFO180: 693.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 0
Europe & Africa
- Durban IFO380: 0 IFO180: 640.5 MDO: 1104.5 MGO: 0
Americas
- Rio de Janeiro IFO380: 615.5 IFO180: 639 MDO: 0 MGO: 915
Asia Pacific
- Busan IFO380: 670 IFO180: 680 MDO: 1030 MGO: 980
- Hong Kong IFO380: 615.5 IFO180: 627.5 MDO: 1034 MGO: 850.5
- Kaohsiung IFO380: 657 IFO180: 669 MDO: 1040 MGO: 908
- Shanghai IFO380: 610 IFO180: 624.5 MDO: 0 MGO: 1024.5
- Singapore IFO380: 605 IFO180: 617 MDO: 880 MGO: 884.5
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
*FOR 15 JUNE 2012
