Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Germany, Kiel Canal – Lock chamber closed due to technical problems
- Angola, Luanda – Embassy urges caution as protests are called
- United Arab Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah – Mandatory use of IMO form for ship reporting * Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Canoe Expedition from Macau to Hong Kong
- Australia, Newcastle – Derailment on line supplying port
- Virgin Islands (British), all ports – Tropical Storm Isaac update (23 August)
DATE: August 23, 2012 – COUNTRY: Germany – PORT: Kiel Canal – Lock chamber closed due to technical problems
Due to technical problems the New Big North Lock Chamber in Brunsbuttel has been taken out of operation. The repairs are estimated to require approximately 14 days.
The New Big South Lock Chamber and both small lock chambers remain in service.
(For information about operations in Germany, contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger, Germany – GAC network agent
DATE: August 23, 2012 – COUNTRY: Angola – PORT: Luanda – Embassy urges caution as protests are called
The French Embassy in Luanda has warned people to limit their outings in the city on Saturday (25 August) following calls for protests by three organisations.
The protests have been called for throughout the country, but mainly in Luanda. Locations are currently not specified clearly.
The Embassy has advised French community residents to take the following precautions: – Minimise outings in town on Saturday – Avoid areas where gatherings are usually held (for Luanda: Largo do 1 ° de Maio, Largo Maianga) – Keep informed of the latest developments – Observe the usual recommendations of vigilance and caution for travel (avoid crowds, etc.)
For information about operations in Angola contact GAC Angola at angola@gac.com
DATE: August 23, 2012 – COUNTRY: United Arab Emirates – PORT: Ras Al Khaimah – Mandatory use of IMO form for ship reporting
Ras Al Khaimah’s Customs Department will make it mandatory for ships entering/leaving the territory of Ras Al Khaimah to report using IMO-FAL forms 1-7 )where applicable, from 00:01 hours on Sunday 2 September 2012.
This requirement will apply to all ships/commercial vessels using commercial ports within Ras Al Khaimah.
For information about operations in Ras Al Khaimah contact GAC Ras Al Khaimah at rasalkhaimah@gac.com
DATE: August 23, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: Hong Kong – Canoe Expedition from Macau to Hong Kong
A canoe expedition from Macau to Hong Kong will take place on 26 August 2012 (Sunday). About 15 canoes and 3 guard boats are expected to participate in the expedition.
The expedition will start at about 0800 hours on 26 August 2012 at Macau and follow a route passing north of Tai O and north of Lantau and finish at about 1700 hours at Tung Chung.
Masters, coxswains and person-in-charge of vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution, giving practical consideration to the contestants. Compliance with the provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 is mandatory.
(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.121 of 2012 dated 22 August 2012
DATE: August 23, 2012 – COUNTRY: Australia – PORT: Newcastle – Derailment on line supplying port
At 1255 this afternoon a Pacific National coal train and PN light engines were involved in an incident at the Up Main at Nundah Bank near Camberwell Junction on the rail line supplying Newcastle Port.
The full extent of the disruption is not known however it is understood that a wagon and locomotive have derailed and significant delays are likely to occur.
It is understood there are no injuries from the incident. Pacific National are working towards returning to normal operation as soon as possible.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: August 23, 2012 COUNTRY: Virgin Islands (British) PORT: all ports Tropical Storm Isaac update (23 August)
At 500am AST (0900 UTC) the center of Tropical Storm Isaac has reformed near latitude 15.3 north, longitude 64.0 west. Isaac is moving toward the west near 12mph (19 km/h). Some erratic motion toward the west-northwest to northwest could occur this morning, but a steady motion toward the west-northwest is expected to begin by this afternoon or tonight and continue into Friday.
On the forecast track, the center of Isaac should pass to the south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today and approach the Dominican Republic tonight and Friday.
Data from an air force reserve reconnaissance aircraft and a NOAA buoy indicate maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 40mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. However, re-strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Isaac could still become a hurricane on Friday before it reaches Hispaniola.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center…
…Tropical storm conditions should begin to subside over the Leeward Islands later this morning. Tropical storm conditions are expected over Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands today. Hurricane conditions are expected over portions of the Dominican Republic by tonight or early Friday and over portions of Haiti on Friday. Tropical storm conditions are possible over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by late Friday.
Total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible over the northern Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. Total rain accumulations of 2-4 inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches over higher terrain, are possible over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Total rainfall accumulations of 8-12 inches, with maximum amounts of 20 inches, are possible over Hispaniola. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3-5 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds along the coast of Hispaniola. A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1-3 feet above normal tide levels in the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves.
Dangerous surf and rip current conditions will affect the Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico during the next couple of days.
(For information about operations in the Americas, contact the GAC US Hub Agency Centre at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Extracts from National Hurricane Center, Miami Fl, Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory No.9 issued at 500am AST on 23 August 2012
