Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Worldwide – 40 years of marine environment protection convention
- United States, all ports – U.S. East Coast ports prepare for Hurricane Sandy
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Fender repairs and dolphin replacement works
- Singapore, Singapore – Pasir Panjang terminal & wharves reclamation
- Panama, Colon – Continuing disruption in Colon
- Bahamas, all ports – Hurricane Sandy update: 26 October 2012
- Mexico, all ports – Change of time
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide – 40 years of marine environment protection convention
The use of the world’s oceans as a dumping ground for harmful wastes has been systematically regulated and reduced under the terms of an international convention that, this year, celebrates 40 years since it was first adopted.
The “Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972”, usually referred to as the “London Convention”, was one of the first global conventions designed to protect the marine environment from human activities. It has been in force since 1975.
The contracting Parties to the 1972 London Convention (and its 1996 Protocol) will meet at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), from 29 October to 2 November 2012. During this meeting they will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention, which took place on 13 November 1972.
The objective of the London Convention is to promote the effective control of all sources of marine pollution and to take all practicable steps to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes and other matter. Currently, 87 States are Parties to it.
In 1996, the “London Protocol” was agreed, to further modernize the Convention and, eventually, to replace it. Under the Protocol, all dumping is prohibited, except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called “reverse list”. This includes dredged material, sewage sludge, fish wastes, inert, inorganic geological material (e.g. mining wastes), organic material of natural origin, and carbon dioxide streams from carbon dioxide capture processes for sequestration. The London Protocol entered into force on 24 March 2006 and currently has 42 States Parties….
….The 40 years since the London Convention was adopted have left a strong legacy of tangible successes from which both the marine environment and mankind have benefited. The unregulated dumping and incineration activities that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s have been halted….
….All in all, the Contracting Parties to the London Convention and Protocol have developed a wealth of experience regarding marine pollution prevention issues, interpretation of the Convention and Protocol, licensing, compliance and field monitoring activities.
When they meet at IMO from 29 October to 2 November 2012, the agenda will include, among other items: – further development of regulatory controls on ocean fertilization and other similar activities and the guidelines for CO2 sequestration to include transboundary issues – a review of compliance issues under the London Protocol – a review of the status report and planning for technical co-operation activities – a review of the joint MEPC-LC/LP guidance on management of spoilt cargoes – a discussion on matters related to the management of radioactive waste – the finalization of the publication “The London Protocol: What it is and how to implement it”, and – a review of the Joint Long-term Programme for the period 2013 to 2015.
Forty years after its adoption, the London Convention and its Protocol are still providing a relevant and important framework within which the international community is tackling key issues surrounding the protection of the marine environment.
(For information about operations worldwide contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found in the ‘Contacts’ section of www.gac.com)
Source: Extracts from International Maritime Organisation (www.imo.org) Briefing No.46 dated 25 Ocotber 2012
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: all ports – U.S. East Coast ports prepare for Hurricane Sandy
U.S. East Coast ports have started preparing for Hurricane Sandy, which is currently located near Bahamas and is expected to track 150-250NM over the next few days.
From Monday (29 October) onwards, Hurricane Sandy is likely to turn NW-ward and make landfall somewhere between Cape Hatteras and Long Island.
As of 9:00 a.m. on 26 October, the U.S. Coast Guard has established Maritime Condition WHISKEY in anticipation of gale force winds in the Baltimore area within 72 hours. The maritime community is advised to review its hurricane preparedness procedures and monitor weather broadcasts.
The Captain of the Port Sector Delaware Bay intends to set Hurricane Condition WHISKEY at noon today, due to the potential for Hurricane SANDY to impact the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware tri-state area. All members of the port community to include vessel owners and operators, vessel agents, pilots and facility owners and operators are asked to take adequate precautions and to follow the Port Hurricane Contingency Plan.
Port Condition Modified YANKEE has been set as at 9am on 25 October for the Port of Miami, Miami River, Port Everglades, Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce and all other terminals and facilities within Sector Miami’s area of responsibility.
Hurricane Sandy may also impact waters of the Sector New York Captain of the Port Zone on Monday. All vessels and facilities should review their heavy weather and hurricane plan. The Sector New York Maritime Heavy Weather and Hurricane plan can be found at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: Hong Kong PORT: Hong Kong – Fender repairs and dolphin replacement works
From 29 October 2012 and for approximately six months, fender repairing and replacement works for 15 of the dolphins will be carried out in the New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter.
The works will be carried out by a crane barge. A tug and a motor boat will assist in the works from time to time. Only one dolphin will be occupied for the carrying out of works at a time.
The works will be carried out from 0800 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels engaged in the works will stay close to a dolphin outside the hours of works.
Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the works will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the area.
(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.151 of 2012 dated 24 Ocoter 2012
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore – Pasir Panjang terminal & wharves reclamation
The working period for reclamation at Pasir Panjang Terminal and wharves has been extended. The work is now being conducted from 25 October to 16 November.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.153 of 2012, the works are being carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
Working Area 19
- 1) 1° 16.774’N / 103° 46.645’E
- 2) 1° 16.668’N / 103° 46.582’E
- 3) 1° 16.542’N / 103° 46.791’E (PKHV1 / Yellow Pillar / Fl (2) Y.2S)
- 4) 1° 16.445’N / 103° 46.952’E (PKHV2 / Yellow Pillar / Fl (2) Y.4S)
- 5) 1° 15.872’N / 103° 46.613’E (PKHV6 / Yellow Pillar / Fl (2)Y.2S)
- 6) 1° 15.513’N / 103° 46.566’E (PKHV11 / Yellow Pillar / Fl(2) Y.4S)
- 7) 1° 15.326’N / 103° 46.878’E (PKHV10 / Yellow Pillar / Fl(2) Y.8S)
- 8) 1° 15.138’N / 103° 47.190’E (PKHV9 / Yellow Pillar / Fl Y.2S)
- 9) 1° 15.308’N / 103° 47.290’E
- 10) 1° 15.266’N / 103° 47.360’E
- 11) 1° 15.320’N / 103° 47.433’E (PKHV8 / Red Can / Fl R. 4S)
- 12) 1° 15.688’N / 103° 47.748’E (PKHV7 / Red Can / Fl R. 2S)
- 13) 1° 15.946’N / 103° 47.769’E (PKHV13 / Red Can / Fl R. 6S)
- 14) 1° 16.030’N / 103° 47.694’E (PKHV3 / Red Can / Fl R. 8S)
- 15) 1° 16.153’N / 103° 47.663’E (PKHV5 / Red Can / Fl(2) R. 5S)
- 16) 1° 16.278’N / 103° 47.737’E
- 17) 1° 16.321’N / 103° 47.665’E
- 18) 1° 16.307’N / 103° 47.640’E
- 19) 1° 16.211’N / 103° 47.583’E
Temporary markers/buoys listed above table will be in place for the duration of the project works.
Works will include reclamation, dredging, soil investigation, caisson construction, demolition of the de-commissioned Pasir Panjang wharves and removal of submarine cables and pipelines.
Dredging works will be carried out by dredgers attended by tug boats.
Safety boats will be deployed in the vicinity of the working area to warn other craft of the project works.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to: (a) keep clear and not to enter the working area; (b) maintain a proper look-out; (c) proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution; (d) maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 25 (Pasir Panjang Control); and (e) communicate with Pasir Panjang Control on VHF Channel 25 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: Panama PORT: Colon – Continuing disruption in Colon
After a quiet day yesterday, following the funeral of one of the victims of recent disturbances, today (26 October) traffic is completely blocked and commerce halted in Colon due to demonstrations, rioting and trucks blocking port entrances.
Ports in the Colon area (Cristobal, Colon Container, Manzanillo Intl, Colon 2000 Cruise, and Coassa tanker terminal) and the Colon Free Zone remain closed. Banks, government offices and commerce are also closed.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of street demonstrations in various points in Panama City and Panama Pacifico.
So far, operations in the Panama Canal are not affected.
Some GAC-Wilford & McKay personnel were able to reach the Cristobal office prior to street closures. Remaining staff are working from home. Boarding and husbandry matters in Cristobal are being attended, where possible. If not possible, they will be attended at Balboa.
For information about operations in Panama contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: Bahamas PORT: all ports – Hurricane Sandy update: 26 October 2012
A hurricane warning is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas except Andros Island.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the central Bahamas, Florida east coast from Ocean reef to Flagler Beach, Lake Okeechobee and Andros Island in the northwestern Bahamas.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Savannah River to Oregon Inlet North Carolina, Pamlico Sound, Florida east coast from north of Flagler Beach to Fernandina Beach, Florida Upper Keys from Ocean Reef to Craig Key and Florida Bay.
Interests elsewhere along the east coast of the United States should monitor the progress of Sandy…
…At 500am EDT (0900 UTC) the center of Hurricane Sandy was located near latitude 26.3 north, longitude 76.9 west. Sandy is moving toward the northwest near 13mph (20 km/h). A decrease in forward speed is expected today followed by a turn toward the north tonight and a turn toward the northeast on Saturday. On the forecast track, the center of Sandy will continue moving near the northwestern Bahamas this morning and move north of the Bahamas tonight.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 80mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. Sandy is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. A little weakening is forecast today, but Sandy is expected to remain a hurricane for the next couple of days.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 275 miles (445 km). The wind field of Sandy is expected to grow in size during the next couple of days. A NOAA automated station at Settlement Point on Grand Bahama Island recently reported a sustained wind of 48mph (78 km/h) and a wind gust of 66mph (106 km/h)…
…Hurricane conditions will continue in the hurricane warning area over the northwestern Bahamas through this morning. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread northward in the warning area along the east coast of Florida today and tonight and are possible in the watch area in Florida tonight and Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Carolinas Saturday and Saturday night.
Sandy is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 6-12 inches across Haiti and the Dominican Republic with isolated maximum totals of 20 inches possible. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain. Rainfall totals of 3-6 inches are expected over portions of the Bahamas with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches possible. Rainfall totals of 1-3 inches are expected across the Florida Keys into southeastern and east-central Florida with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches possible. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are possible over far eastern North Carolina.
The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. The water could reach the following depths above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide: – hurricane warning area in the Bahamas: 5-8 ft – Florida coast within warning area: 1-3 ft
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle…and can vary greatly over short distances…
(For information about operations in the Americas contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Centre at hub.usa@gac.com)
Source: National Hurricane Center, Miami Fl, Hurricane Sandy Advisory No.16 issued at 500am EDT on 26 October 2012
DATE: October 26, 2012 COUNTRY: Mexico PORT: all ports – Change of time
From 28 October, the new time in Mexico will be (-6) GMT, based on which the below daylight traffic restrictions will apply:
Cayo Arcas (Buoy “1” & “2:): from 06:00 to 17:00 hours (for mooring) 24 hours for unmooring.
Fso Ta’kuntah: from 06:00 to 17:00 hours (for mooring) 24 hours fro unmooring.
Fpso Yuum Kaak Naab: from 06:00 to 17:00 hours (for mooring) 24 hours for unmooring.
Dos Bocas: from 08:00 to 15:00 hours (for mooring) 24 hours for unmooring.
Pajaritos: from 06:00 to 17:00 hours (for berthing & un berthing)
For information about operations in Mexico contact GAC-Tomas Ruiz at gac-tomasruiz.mexico@gac.com
