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HOT Port news from GAC

by admin

Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:

  • Worldwide – Agreement on safety of fishing vessels adopted
  • Germany, Kiel Canal – Lock chamber to close for urgent repairs
  • Singapore, Singapore – Dredging off Sembawang Shipyard, Johor Straits
  • Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Dolphin Survey off the Hong Kong International Airport 

 DATE: October 12, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide Agreement on safety of fishing vessels adopted

A diplomatic conference to consider a new agreement aimed at implementing the provisions of an international treaty on fishing vessel safety has adopted a new agreement on fishing vessel safety, to be known as the “Cape Town Agreement of 2012 on the Implementation of the Provisions of the 1993 Protocol relating to the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977”.
The conference, attended by 58 States, was held from 9 to 11 October in Cape Town, South Africa, under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for maritime safety and security and the prevention of pollution from ships….
….In ratifying the agreement, Parties agree to amendments to the provisions of the 1993 Protocol, so that they can come into force as soon as possible thereafter.
The Cape Town Agreement of 2012 will enter into force 12 months after the date on which not less than 22 States the aggregate number of whose fishing vessels of 24 m in length and over operating on the high seas is not less than 3, 600 have expressed their consent to be bound by it.
The Agreement will be open for signature at IMO Headquarters from 11 February 2013 to 10 February 2014 and thereafter remain open for accession….
(For information about operations worldwide contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found in the “Contacts” section of www.gac.com)
Source: Extract from International Maritime Organisation (www.imo, org) Briefing No.44 dated 11 October 2012

DATE: October 12, 2012 COUNTRY: Germany PORT: Kiel Canal Lock chamber to close for urgent repairs

Due to urgent repairs works, the New Big North Lock Chamber in Brunsbuttel will be out of service from approximately 0700 on 15 October until approximately 1700 on 16 October.
During thhis period, the New Big South Lock Chamber and both Old Small Lock Chambers will be available.
As the New Big South Lock Chamber is 2/3 length (205 metres only), from 0700 on 15 Ocotber until 1700 on 16 Ocotber, only vessels with an overall length of 205 metres can be accepted for Kiel-Canal transit.
(For information about operations in Germany contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger GmbH, Germany – GAC network agent

DATE: October 12, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Dredging off Sembawang Shipyard, Johor Straits

Dredging works will be conducted off Sembawang Shipyard, Johor Straits, fom 15 October 2012 to 31 January 2013.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.144 of 2012, the works will be conducted 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum): A) 1° 28.139’N / 103° 49.430’E B) 1° 28.220’N / 103° 49.449’E C) 1° 28.254’N / 103° 49.402’E
Dredging works will be carried out by dredger held in position with anchors. The dredger, with hopper barges in attendance, will have a circular safety working zone of 50-metre radius centred at the dredger.
Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges assisted by pusher tugs.
The tug boats will be used to shift the dredger, when required to clear the fairway for vessels.
A safety boat will be deployed in the vicinity to warn other craft to clear of the working area.
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to: (a) keep well clear and not to enter the working area; (b) maintain a proper lookout; (c) proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution; (d) maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 21 (Sembawang Control); and (e) Communicate with Sembawang Control on VHF Channel 21 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com

DATE: October 12, 2012 COUNTRY: Hong Kong PORT: Hong Kong Dolphin Survey off the Hong Kong International Airport

For approximately 6 months, a dolphin survey will be carried out [off the Hong Kong International Airport] in the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (H): (A) 22 deg. 19.633’N / 113 deg. 52.017’E (B) 22 deg. 20.933’N / 113 deg. 56.033’E (C) 22 deg. 19.600’N / 113 deg. 56.533’E (D) 22 deg. 18.550’N / 113 deg. 53.283’E (E) 22 deg. 17.500’N / 113 deg. 53.683’E (F) 22 deg. 17.133’N / 113 deg. 52.500’E (G) 22 deg. 18.183’N / 113 deg. 52.117’E (H) 22 deg. 18.300’N / 113 deg. 52.500’E
The survey works will be carried out by a work boat about once a week. The work boat may need to anchor during the survey works.
The hours of works will be from 0830 to 1700 hours. The vessel employed in the works will not stay in the works area outside the hours of works.
Vessel 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.141 of 2012

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