Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Germany, Kiel-Holtenau – Kiel-Holtenau New Big South Lock Chamber back in service
- Nigeria, all ports – Public Holidays in Nigeria
- United States, Delaware City, Delaware – Demolition and repair works of the Sunoco Philadelphia sea wall
- United States, Delaware City, Delaware – Mobilization for the Delaware River main channel deepening
- Qatar, all ports – Doha Port Eid AlFitr Working Hours
- Hong Kong, all ports – Tropical Cyclone Bulletin: 16 August 2012
- Australia, all ports – Australian coal and iron ore port lineups
- Turkey, all ports – Holidays in Turkey
- Turkey, Bosporus – Vessel engine failure in Bosphorus
- Brazil, all ports – Strike of Brazilian Authorities
DATE: August 16, 2012 – COUNTRY: Germany – PORT: Kiel-Holtenau – Kiel-Holtenau New Big South Lock Chamber back in service
Repairs to the New Big South Lock Chamber in Kiel-Holtenau have been successfully completed.
Both New Big Lock Chambers are now back in service.
For information about operations in Germany contact GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com Source: Sartori & Berger
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Nigeria PORT: all ports Public Holidays in Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday 20 August 2012 and Tuesday 21 August 2012 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-al-Fitr Muslim Festival.
Please be advised that on the aforementioned dates the office will be closed.
Normal work resumes on Wednesday 22nd August, 2012.
For information about operations in Nigeria contact GAC Nigeria at nigeria@gac.com
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Delaware City, Delaware Demolition and repair works of the Sunoco Philadelphia sea wall
According to the Mariners’ Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware, demolition and repair works of the Sunoco Philadelphia sea wall will begin on 15 August 2012 and continue through 31 December 2012. Works will commence from 6am until 4pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Works include the installation of a turbidity curtain to ensure no further debris is released into the Schuylkill River, as well as the use of divers in the area.
Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area and are requested to transit by so as not to cause a wake.
For information about operations in USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com Source: Mariners’ Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Delaware City, Delaware Mobilization for the Delaware River main channel deepening
According to the Mariners’ Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware, mobilization for the Delaware River main channel deepening will begin from 17 August 2012.
The dredging contractor intends to use Horseshoe Shoal as a holding area to anchor and hold dredging equipment. Equipment include derricks, anchor barges and tugs.
Dredging is expected to commence 1 September 2012, from Reach M to Tinicum range. Dredge vessels will be monitoring channels 13 and 16, and at no time during the mobilization will vessels be in the Delaware River ship channel.
Mariners transiting through the area are to proceed with extreme caution and obey all safety navigation rules.
For information about operations in USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com Source: Mariners’ Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware
DATE: August 16, 2012 -COUNTRY: Qatar – PORT: all ports – Doha Port Eid AlFitr Working Hours
The Eid AlFitr holidays have been officially announced to begin from 16 August to 27 August 2012.
As such, please note Doha port operating hours during the aforementioned dates:
– The operations overtime periods will be from 16 to 27 August 2012. – All operations will cease on the first day of Eid (vessel’s operations, delivery, receiving, vessel’s maneuvering, etc). – 1st shift: 06:00hrs to 14:00hrs (From 11:30hrs to 15:00hrs summer ban). – 2nd shift: 14:00hrs to 22:00hrs (From 18:00 to 19:00 meal break). – 22:00hrs to 06:00hrs (No Breaks) – Prayer time break on Fridays are from 11:00hrs to 15:00hrs.
Pilotage (vessels mooring/unmooring) working hours for Eid are as follow: – No operations on the first day of Eid. – The rest of the days will be back to normal operating hours.
For information about operations in Qatar contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com Source: Doha Ports Authorities
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Hong Kong PORT: all ports Tropical Cyclone Bulletin: 16 August 2012
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 is in force on 16 August 2012 at 1340 hours.
This means that winds with mean speeds of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected.
For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at hongkong@gac.com Source: Hong Kong Observatory
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Australia PORT: all ports Australian coal and iron ore port lineups
Hay Point Coal Terminal: – Berth No.1 will be closed from 15/8/12 to 27/9/12 for maintenance.
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal: – Inloading: Regular fortnightly 12 hour shutdowns to coincide with QR maintenance. 4th to 5th September – QR (Queensland Railway) has a 36hr planned outage. During this period no trains will be unloaded. – Outloading: OL1/SL1/Berth 1 shutdown from 3-6 September. SL2/B2 shutdown 20-25 August. OL3 shutdown from 20-31 August
Blair Athol Coal Mine: – The thermal coal mine will be closed after 20years of operations before December 2012. Clermont Coal Mine has now replaced Blair Athol.
RG Tanna Coal Terminal: (Scheduled Maintenance) – August 13–19 (7 Days): Ship loader No. 2 – September 3–4 (2 Days): Ship loader No. 3 – September 6 (1 Day): Ship loader No. 1 – September 7 (1 Day): Ship loader No. 2 – September 17-21 (5 Days): Ship loader No.1 – October 23 (1 Day): Ship loader No. 1, 2 & 3 – October 29–01 Nov(4 Days): Ship loader No.2
Barney Point Coal Terminal: (Scheduled Maintenance) – September 11–13 (3 Days) – October 15–19 (5 Days)
Port Kembla: (Port Marine Pilot Update) The Harbour Master has informed that the port now have all shifts covered by an un-restricted Pilots (able to move panamax & cape size);-
– Pilotage services over the weekend will be provided by un-restricted Pilots all weekend augmented by one restricted Pilot undertaking pilotage for ships within the range of license. – Services next week (commencing 20 August 2012) will be provided by un-restricted Pilots all week, augmented by the one restricted Pilot undertaking pilotage for ships within the range of license – Pilotage services the following week (commencing 27 August 2012) be provided by un-restricted Pilots all week, augmented by the one restricted Pilot undertaking pilotage for ships within the range of license
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at australia@gac.com
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Turkey PORT: all ports Holidays in Turkey
There will be a holiday of 4 days in Turkey, starting from 18 August 2012 Saturday until 21 August 2012 Tuesday, in celebration of Ramazan Bayramı.
30 August 2012 Thursday, will also be a holiday, to celebrate Independence Day in Turkey.
All official institutions and banks will be closed from 18 to 21 August, and on 30 August. Please make all of your crew, spare, provision, etc arrangements and forward them to ensure timely clearance and delivery to your vessels.
In the mean time, some ports may be closed between these dates and official services will be increased by 50% (pilotage, towage, mooring, customs), therefore it is advised to check with GAC Turkey prior to calling at any Turkish ports.
GAC Turkey will be on duty during the holidays.
For information about operations in Turkey contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Turkey PORT: Bosporus Vessel engine failure in Bosphorus
M/V Boras had main engine failure in Bosphorus around Kandilli on 15 August 2012 at around 03:45 Hrs.
Salvage operation was commenced by using tug Kurtarma 9, which is towing the vessel to anchorage area for safety formalities.
Bosphorus traffic was closed (Northbound and Southbound) from 15 August 03:45 hrs to 15 August 05:00 hrs.
For information about operations in Turkey contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
DATE: August 16, 2012 COUNTRY: Brazil PORT: all ports Strike of Brazilian Authorities
Brazilian ports are facing problems in maintaining normal operations as the 50-days old nationwide Port Authorities strike continues. Below is the summary of strike situations at main Brazilian ports.
Itajal: – Customs: Working under “standard operations”, without any delay to vessels/cargo clearance. – Immigration: For the time being, no impact on ships. – Health: Working under “injunction” issued by syndicate.
Imbituba: – Customs: Working by the rule and delaying on clearance documents. – Immigration: For the time being, no impact on ship’s clearance. – Health: Remains on strike but no problem to issue Free Pratique.
Fortaleza/Pecem: – Customs: Officers are on strike, however they are working normally, without stoppages and delays. – Immigration: For the time being, no impact on ship’s clearance. – Health: Authorities now on strike and there are big delays with the processes. The delays would turn out to be much smaller by triggering an injunction process before the Court of Law.
Paranagua: – Customs: Started 18 June, without any prediction to have their normal activities resumed. Cargo clearances processes have been delayed at least 24hrs, all going well. – Immigration: Strike started on 07 Aug at 08:00hrs. Officers have worked 02hrs daily for whole activities/attendance at this port. However, they might paralyze their issues as from today (16 August) for an undetermined period. – Health: Strike started on 06 Aug, without any prediction for their normal activities to resume. Presently, cargo clearances processes have been hardly affected. As for ships clearances, the free Practique Certificates have been issued one or two days after presenting the petition.
Rio Grande: – Customs: Working in slowed down operations for an indefinite period. – Immigration: Officers will continue attending to the vessels slowly and checking everything on board. – Health: Officers will continue attending the vessels slowly and checking everything on board. According to the officers, vessels can start operations only after they leave the vessel.
Rio De Janeiro: -Customs: The strike is affecting vessel’s clearance and other matters that requires their attention such as crew replacement and spare parts clearance. – Immigration: Immigration is attending only once a day around 1600 to 1700hrs. The agents must stay there in advance to grant the services as ship clearance, crew changes etc. At this moment, it is unclear of the impacts of the strike on ship’s clearance neither crew/passengers replacements. However delays are also expected within the next few days. – Health: Port health authority remains on strike and free pratique are being granted for 30% of demand. In Rio de Janeiro port, free pratique may take 72 to be granted.
Recife: – Customs: Officers are working normally so far, and cargo clearances are being granted in due time. – Immigration: Working normally. – Health: Free Pratiques are being issued through injunction, which was decreed its favorable preliminary on 24 July 2012.
Sao Luis: – Customs: Working normally without stoppages and delays. – Immigration: Immigration is on strike, however it is not affecting the clearance of vessels. – Health: The strike from Health authorities at São Luis is still in progress. Even though the strike is in effect, the latest development is that the health officers are receiving the application for Free Pratique and issuing the certificates for vessels arriving in the next 24 hrs. Inspection for renewal of sanitary certificates are subject to the evaluation of the health officer on duty, thus at this time it is not possible to confirm if this service will be provided on a regular basis.
Sao Francisco Do Sul: – Customs: Working under standard operations, without any delay to vessels/cargo clearance. – Immigration: Working at normal days/hours only. – Health: Remain on strike for undetermined period of time. Working under “Injunction” issued by syndicate.
Sao Sebastiao: – Customs: The strike affects cargo clearances and some matters that require their attention, such as crew changes and spare parts clearance. – Immigration: Normal for the time being, but some actions as to the form of striking should be anticipated. – Health: Working normally.
Santos: – Customs: Officers are on strike, ‘working to the rules’. – Immigration: Went on strike and will work under standard operations (will check every document, stores, etc). Ingoing/Outgoing passes have been issued normally. Crew changes have been performed normally. – Health: Officers are still on strike but free pratique certificates are being issued on a regular basis. However, SSCEC are not being renewed due to lack of Health Officers.
Vitoria/Tubarao/Ponta Ubu/Portocel: – Customs: Officers are still on strike and their advanced offices located at Praia mole (Tubarao) and Capuaba are working with minimum staff, while the office located at Vitoria commercial quay is working normally. It is not affecting the ships and cargoes clearance, however all the processes are slower and taking longer to be cleared by them. A customs representative today (16 August) said there are no forecast as to when the strike will be ended. – Immigration: Officers had a meeting on 10 August to discuss about the maintenance of the strike movement, which started on 07 Aug at 08:00hrs. It was decided that the strike will be kept for undetermined period and their main activities will be kept with minimum staff only. No boarding permission will be granted for technicians, superintendents and other people, unless it is checked and authorized by the chief immigration officer and once refused, only the strike command will have power to change and grant such permission. It was also informed that crew movements, shore leave, embark and disembark, will still be granted by immigration officers, but only few hours before vessel’s departure. This situation may lead to crew losing flights and having no time for handover on board when the relievers board vessel. Therefore it is strongly recommended that crew changes are postponed for other countries while the strike is in force in Brazil. Regarding vessel’s clearance, it will only be granted a few hours prior vessel’s departure as well, therefore crew are not allowed to go ashore, unless in the event of an emergency which should be duly informed to immigration for their evaluation and permission. – Health: It was determined by the STJ (Superior Tribunal of Justice) on 06 Aug 2012, that owing to the current strike movement of the Port Health officers, which started on 16 July 2012, the servants should keep at least 70% (seventy per cent) of their staff, working normally in order to guarantee the activities in ports, airports, borders and food/farmacy industry. The strike has not ended yet, but officers shall resume their main activities due to the order imposed by justice. Port Health officers adopted a rule which consists of receiving the accurate berthing prospects given by terminal operators, and with such information in hands, they will then evaluate and likely release the free pratique to allow vessel’s berthing.
For information about operations in Brazil contact GAC Brazil at brazil@gac.com
