Your daily* news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- South Africa, Cape Town – Forecast adverse weather may affect OPL services
- Hong Kong, all ports – Mainland coastal container carriers inspection campaign
- Brazil, all ports – Ministry staff strike resumes
- Bunker Update – GAC MARKET PRICE UPDATE 22/08/12
DATE: August 22, 2012 – COUNTRY: South Africa – PORT: Cape Town Forecast adverse weather may affect OPL services
The local launch boat service provider in Cape Town has warned that forecast bad weather may affect its ability to provide Off Port Limits services over the coming weekend.
The current forecast indicates poor weather passing over Cape Town on Saturday (25 August), with relatively high wind speeds (38 knots or 70km/h), and high swells (4-7m) forecasted for Saturday, with moderate improvement from Sunday (26 August) onwards.
These weather conditions may influence the ability to provide services Off Port Limits (OPL). Vessels are therefore urged to arrange for ISPS clearance from TNPA to allow them to come to the anchorage areas to provide services there if unsafe to do so Off Port Limits.
For information about operations in Cape Town contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com
DATE: August 22, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: all ports Mainland coastal container carriers inspection campaign
The Hong Kong Marine Department will join Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration (GDMSA) and Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration (SZMSA) to carry out the Concentrated Inspection Campaign from 1 to 30 September 2012.
The purpose of this Campaign is to inspect the general safety conditions of Mainland coastal container carriers (not more than 3, 000 GT) which are plying in the waters of Guangdong and Hong Kong.
This Campaign will focus on Mainland coastal container carriers of not more than 3, 000 GT.
Mainland coastal container carriers trading to Hong Kong will be selected for inspection by the Hong Kong Marine Department (HKMD). The preliminary inspection will focus on Automatic Identification System relating to its installation, maintenance and the crew’s familiarization with the operation of the equipment, and maritime radio licence, etc.
Detailed inspection may be conducted if there are grounds to believe the conditions of a vessel are not up to standards during the preliminary inspection. Vessels with serious defects detected may be detained until such defects are rectified. A report Note 1 will be issued by HKMD to record the information after inspections. The inspection reports should be kept onboard vessels for possible checking by inspectors of the other ports.
Shipowners, masters, agents and operators are invited to note the Concentrated Inspection Campaign and to take extra precautions to ensure their vessels fully meet the requirements at all times.
GDMSA and SZMSA will also issue inspection reports after inspection carried out at their ports.
For enquiries relating to the preliminary inspection, please contact Harbour Patrol Section, Marine Department as follows:
Office address: 30 Hoi Fai Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon Telephone number: (852) 2385 2791 Facsimile number: (852) 2359 7009 E-mail: mi1ohps1@mardep.gov.hk
For enquiries relating to the detailed inspection and ship detention, please contact Port State Control Section, Marine Department as follows:
Office address: 24/F Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong Telephone number: (852) 2852 4506 Facsimile number: (852) 2545 0556 E-mail: hkpsco@mardep.gov.hk
(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. 119 of 2012 dated 21 August 2012
DATE: August 22, 2012 – COUNTRY: Brazil – PORT: all ports – Ministry staff strike resumes
According to local media reports, employees of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have decided to resume their strike from today (22 August) for an indefinite period.
The original strike, over a dispute about salary adjustments, started on 18 June and was suspended on 2 July.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices, including Brazilian embassies and consulates abroad, will be affected.
As a result, warnings concerning work visa authorizations will be suspended, as well as any request made directly to the Ministry.
Meanwhile, other Brazilian civil servants (Port Authorities) are still out on strike.
For information about operations in Brazil contact GAC Brazil at shipping.brazil@gac.com
DATE: August 22, 2012 Bunker Update: GAC MARKET PRICE UPDATE 22/08/12
GAC Bunker Fuels Ltd Pricing Alert GAC MARKET PRICE UPDATE 22/08/12
180 CST 380 CST MGO MDO
Aden 750.00 0 1, 245.00 0
Alexandria 728.00 714.00 1, 145.00 0
Aqaba 0 812.00 1, 120.00 0
Bahrain 0 0 1, 107.00 0
Busan 687.50 677.50 1, 010.00 1, 000.00
Cape Town 699.00 0 1, 058.00 0
Colombo 760.00 740.00 1, 035.00 0
Dubai 694.00 678.00 940.00 0
Durban 695.50 0 0 1, 125.50
Falmouth 792.50 765.50 1, 029.50 0
Fujairah 705.00 685.00 1, 015.00 0
Gibraltar 765.50 730.50 1, 018.50 0
Hong Kong 703.50 694.50 1, 002.50 999.50
Houston 698.00 664.00 1, 000.00 0
Istanbul 710.50 683.50 1, 033.50 0
Jeddah 710.00 695.00 1, 100.00 0
Kaohsiung 732.00 720.00 1, 045.00 1, 030.00
Kuwait 690.50 676.00 0 1, 004.00
Malta 781.50 753.50 1, 006.50 0
Mumbai 703.00 688.50 1, 113.00 0
New York & New Jersey 696.00 666.00 1, 025.00 0
Panama 700.00 670.00 1, 050.00 0
Port Said 725.00 705.00 1, 080.00 0
Qatar 0 0 920.00 0
Rio de Janeiro 724.00 700.50 1, 040.00 0
Rotterdam 747.50 725.50 0 0
Salalah 747.00 707.00 1, 080.00 0
Shanghai 689.00 677.00 1, 072.50 0
Sharjah 694.00 678.00 940.00 0
Singapore 690.50 678.00 1, 014.50 1, 009.50
St Petersburg 559.50 549.50 0 0
Suez 720.00 670.00 1, 070.00 0
Present in seven locations worldwide, GAC Bunker Fuels, part of the GAC group, is a global broker and trader of marine fuels and lubricants.
The prices listed are for indication purposes only, and local offices should be approached directly for firm prices.
Middle East & Africa: bunker.ae@gac.com Europe: bunker.gb@gac.com Egypt & Mediterranean: bunker.eg@gac.com Americas: bunker.us@gac.com Asia Pacific: bunker.sg@gac.com Indian Subcontinent: bunker.sl@gac.com
Contact Martyn McMahon on +971 566032534 or Martyn.mcmahon@gac.com quoting HPN for more information or with your bunker enquiry.
* This newe refers for the 22 August 2012 as it was recceived dely due to an ISP delay.