Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- United States, Mississippi River, Louisiana – Saltwater Sill Construction
- Singapore, Singapore – Dredging off Pulau Bukom
- Brazil, all ports – Health Authority strike over
DATE: September 04, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Mississippi River, Louisiana Saltwater Sill Construction
Below are the current navigation guidelines for the the saltwater sill construction under in the Mississippi River, from LMR MM65 to MM63 AHOP.
Daylight Transits – One-way traffic only. – 47′ Draft Restriction.
Night Transits – One-way traffic only. – 40′ Draft Restriction
The VTS LMR traffic management scheme around this operation requires reporting at the locations listed below: – All downbound vessels must contact VTS LMR at the Scarsdale Light (Mile 75.2 AHP) on VHF Channel 11. – All upbound vessels must contact VTS LMR at Myrtle Grove (Mile 57 AHP) on VHF Channel 11.
Vessels are required to contact Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River, call sign “New Orleans Traffic”, on VHF-FM Channel 11 and must report: – Vessel Name and Type – Current Location – Destination and ETA – Dangerous Cargo on-board – Number and status (loaded or empty) of barges (tows only) – Any unusual conditions or special handling considerations
The construction process is estimated to take 40–60 days.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: September 04, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Dredging off Pulau Bukom
Dredging works will be conducted off Pulau Bukom from 7 September until 30 November 2012.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.125 of 2012 dated 4 September 202, the works will be carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working areas bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum).
Working Area “A” 1) 1° 14.556’N / 103° 46.104’E 2) 1° 14.326’N / 103° 46.296’E 3) 1° 14.260’N / 103° 46.219’E 4) 1° 14.491’N / 103° 46.026’E
Working Area “B” 5) 1° 14.375’N / 103° 46.065’E 6) 1° 14.238’N / 103° 46.195’E 7) 1° 14.189’N / 103° 46.144’E 8) 1° 14.326’N / 103° 46.014’E
Working Area “C” 9) 1° 14.189’N / 103° 46.222’E 10) 1° 14.068’N / 103° 46.363’E 11) 1° 14.034’N / 103° 46.334’E 12) 1° 14.154’N / 103° 46.193’E
Dredging works will be carried out by the dredger “Pandora” which will be held in position by 3 spuds system. There will be a circular safety working zone of 70-metre radius centred at the dredger. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges assisted by pusher tugs. Only one dredger, hopper barge and two tugs will be working at any one time.
During the operation, the dredger and hopper barge will be attended by tug boats. The tug boats will be used to shift the dredger and hopper barges, when required to clear the fairway for vessels to berth or unberth.
Safety boats will be deployed in the vicinity to warn the other craft to keep clear of the working areas.
When in the vicinity of the working areas, mariners are reminded to: (a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working areas; (b) Maintain a proper lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed & navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 68 (West Control), and (e) Communicate with West Control on Channel 68 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: September 04, 2012 COUNTRY: Brazil PORT: all ports Health Authority strike over
Brazilian Health Authorities’ staff resumed their duties from yesterday (3 September). Operations at the country’s ports are expected to return to normal, as most berthing problems were related to delays on free pratique certificates.
For information about operations in Brazil contact GAC Brazil at shipping.brazil@gac.com
