Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Angola, Soyo – Offshore underwater survey operations
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Dredging in Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage & Kellett Anchorages
- Australia, Abbot Point – Volume Based Surcharge to be introduced
- Haiti, all ports – Tropical Storm Isaac update (24 August 2012)
DATE: August 24, 2012 COUNTRY: Angola PORT: Soyo Offshore underwater survey operations
With effect from 1600 hours on 22nd August 2012, the survey vessel ‘Geo Endeavour’ [is] conducting underwater survey operations within an area bounded by the following co-ordinates: 006° 03’39″S / 012° 11’41″E NW corner 006° 03’39″S / 012° 12’34″E NE corner 006° 11’45″S / 012° 12’13″E SW corner 006° 11’34″S / 012° 13’05″E SE corner
The vessel requires a safe passing of at least 0.5 nautical miles and will be displaying the appropriate lights and shapes for a vessel conducting underwater operations as prescribed by the International Collision Regulations.
All vessels approaching this area should navigate with caution and give a wide berth where possible.
Operations are expected to be complete by 1200 local time on 29th August.
For up to date information please contact Soyo Port Control on VHF channel 11.
(For information about operations in Angola contact GAC Angola at angola@gac.com)
Source: Port of Soyo Safety Notice No.12/12
DATE: August 24, 2012 – COUNTRY: Hong Kong – PORT: Hong Kong – Dredging in Western Dangerous Goods Anchorage & Kellett Anchorages
From 27 August 2012 and for approximately four months, dredging operations will be carried out in the following areas:-
AREA 1 This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D): (A) 22 deg. 19.114’N / 114 deg. 07.118’E (B) 22 deg. 18.921’N / 114 deg. 07.491’E (C) 22 deg. 18.818’N / 114 deg. 07.428’E (D) 22 deg. 19.013’N / 114 deg. 07.057’E
AREA 2 This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (E) to (H): (E) 22 deg. 18.815’N / 114 deg. 07.671’E (F) 22 deg. 18.275’N / 114 deg. 08.112’E (G) 22 deg. 18.178’N / 114 deg. 07.976’E (H) 22 deg. 18.760’N / 114 deg. 07.551’E
AREA 3 This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (I) to (L): (I) 22 deg. 17.855’N / 114 deg. 08.406’E (J) 22 deg. 17.688’N / 114 deg. 08.544’E (K) 22 deg. 17.669’N / 114 deg. 08.486’E (L) 22 deg. 17.822’N / 114 deg. 08.360’E
The works will be carried out by one grab dredger. Three split-hopper barges, two tug boats and one working boat 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 50 metres around the dredger 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 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. 120 of 2012
DATE: August 24, 2012 – COUNTRY: Australia – PORT: Abbot Point Volume Based Surcharge to be introduced
Bowen towage, the towage provider at Abbot Point Coal Terminal, is introducing a Volume Based Surcharge (VBS) from 19 September 2012.
This surcharge will be charged when the annual vessel numbers drops below 228 vessels.
Records indicate the following port call numbers in recent calendar years: 2009 – 197 port calls 2010 – 224 port calls 2011 – 174 port calls 2012 – 80 port calls FIRST SIX MONTHS, equating to 160 port calls for the year
Verbal advice received indicates that, from 19 September 12 through to 31 January 2013, the surcharge will be levied at the rate of 24% on top of the towage tariff.
Towage rates are charged on the basis of the gross registered tonnage of a vessel as recorded in the current volume of Lloyd’s Register of Ships or in the absence of being listed, as per the vessels Tonnage Certificate. Under 20, 000 GRT : $25, 798 20, 001-30, 000 GRT : $33, 777 30, 001-40, 000 GRT : $33, 777 40, 001-50, 001 GRT : $53, 724 50, 001-60, 000 GRT : $53, 724 60, 001-70, 000 GRT : $59, 576 70, 001-80, 000 GRT : $59, 576 80, 001 and over GRT: $70, 746
These rates are inclusive of the use of lines provided by tugs.
For a vessel with a GRT of 60, 000, this will be an increase of A$14, 298 on top of the current towage cost of A$59, 576
The Volume Based Surcharge will be reviewed every six months, with the next review at the end of December, for implementation on 1 February 2013.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: August 24, 2012 – COUNTRY: Haiti – : all ports Tropical Storm Isaac update (24 August 2012)
A hurricane watch is in effect for Haiti. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Las Tunas, Granma, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba & Guantanamo, southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus & Villa Clara, Andros Island and the central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador…
…Interests in Jamaica, the remainder of Cuba, the remainder of the Bahamas, south Florida and the Florida Keys should monitor the progress of Isaac…
…At 500am EDT (0900 UTC) the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 16.1 north, longitude 70.0 west. Isaac is moving toward the west near 15mph (24 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is expected later today followed by a turn toward the northwest tonight. On the forecast track, the center of Isaac will move near or over Hispaniola today and move near or over southeastern Cuba on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast while the center remains over water.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km) from the center…
…Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti today. Tropical storm conditions are expected over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands later today and tonight. Tropical storm conditions are expected over eastern Cuba by tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible over central Cuba, the central Bahamas and Andros Island by Saturday.
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. Total rain accumulations of 3-6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across eastern Cuba. Total rain accumulations of 2-4 inches with maximum amounts of 6 inches over higher terrain are possible over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Total rain accumulations of 2-4 inches are possible over the southeastern Bahamas.
A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1-3 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds in the tropical storm warning area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves.
Dangerous surf and rip current conditions will affect the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos and eastern Cuba during the next couple of days…
(For information about operations in the Americas contact the GAC USA Hub Agency Centre at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: National Hurricane Center, Miami Fl, Tropical Storm Isaac Advisory No.13 issued at 500am EDT on 24 August 2012
