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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 – Military activity near Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
  • United States, Paulsboro, New Jersey – Train derailment & chemical spill
  • Singapore, Singapore – Mooring/unmooring at mooring buoys at Banyan Basin
  • Singapore, Singapore – Reclamation at Ayer Merbau, Jurong Island
  • Singapore, Singapore – Submarine cable repair off Pulau Busing
  • Australia, Newcastle – Hunter Valley Coal Chain train derailment
  • Australia, Portland – 2012 Christmas Berthing Protocol
  • Turkey, Turkish Straits – Strong current in Bosphorus 

 DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide Military activity near Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

An increased level of military activity will take place in the coming week in the areas either side of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
The aim of this activity is to gain greater understanding of the environment and, by working with local Nations, to understand and work together to deliver maritime security.
HMAS ANZAC, an Australian Warship will be coordinating activity in the area monitoring VHF CH16. The operation working channels will be CH13 and CH15.
For further information, please contact Combined Task Force 150 Battle Watch (24hrs a day): 00973 1785 8148.
For more information about CTF150 see: http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/ctf-150-maritime-security/
(For information abpit operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found in the “contacts” section of www.gac.com)
Source: Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) Bahrain announcement dated 30 November 2012

DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Paulsboro, New Jersey Train derailment & chemical spill

An Emergency Safety Zone has been established at the entrance of Mantua Creek until further notice, following a train derailment and release of hazardous materials. The Creek is closed to all vessel traffic one mile north and one mile south of the East Jefferson Street Railroad Bridge.
This comes after a train derailed at the bridge in Paulsboro, New Jersey, early this morning (30 November). Four of its cars were dumped into the Creek – one leaking vinyl chloride, a colorless, organic gas with a sweet odour.
According to local reports, an unknown number of people have been transported from the scene, all complaining of respiratory problems. Some of the injured are workers from the Paulsboro Marine Terminal.
Emergency Management is demanding all Paulsboro residents stay inside and close all windows and door until further notice.
In its Marine Safety Bulletin No.24-12 of 30 November, the US Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay states that mariners with any questions should contact the Coast Guard Control Center at (215) 271-4887 of Channel 16 VHF.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com

DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Mooring/unmooring at mooring buoys at Banyan Basin

The working period for reclamation at Ayer Merbau, Jurong Island has been revised. The works will now be completed by 31 December.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.170 of 2012 dated 30 November 2012, during this period bulk carriers, self propelled barges with pusher tugs and barges in composite unit carrying bulk sand will be transiting the Banyan Basin, Selat Pandan, Sinki Fairway to Ayer Merbau reclamation project area.
Mariners shall keep a proper lookout for these vessels and navigate with extra caution when in the vicinity of the mooring buoys off Bayan Basin, Jurong Island.
A maximum of one bulk carrier will be moored at the mooring buoys at any one time. The mooring and unmooring of vessels will be carried out in the daylight hours (0630 to 1800hours) during the period of reclamation work.
Masters of harbour craft shall proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution when approaching the vicinity of Ayer Merbau and its vicinity.
The BBB-1, BBB-2, BBB-3 and BBB-4 buoys have been laid on 21 April 12. The mooring buoys will be removed upon completion of the reclamation. BBB-1) 01° 15.352’N / 103° 41.587’E        (Yellow polyethylene buoy Fl .Y.2s.) BBB-2) 01° 15.170’N / 103° 41.641’E        (Yellow polyethylene buoy Fl .Y.2s.) BBB-3) 01° 15.772’N / 103° 41.326’E        (Yellow polyethylene buoy Fl .Y.4s.) BBB-4) 01° 15.644’N / 103° 41.465’E        (Yellow polyethylene buoy Fl .Y.4s.)
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com

DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Reclamation at Ayer Merbau, Jurong Island

The working period for reclamation works will be carried out at Ayer Merbau, Jurong Island. The works will now be conducted from 1 to 31 December.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.169 of 2012 dated 30 November 2012, the works will be carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays and Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum): 1) 01° 15.657’N / 103° 43.294’E 2) 01° 15.626’N / 103° 43.332’E 3) 01° 15.564’N / 103° 43.458’E 4) 01° 15.751’N / 103° 43.868’E 5) 01° 15.857’N / 103° 43.932’E 6) 01° 15.981’N / 103° 43.934’E 7) 01° 16.091’N / 103° 43.877’E 8) 01° 16.160’N / 103° 43.775’E 9) 01° 15.260’N / 103° 43.532’E
The work will entail the removal of existing rocks, dredging and reclamation works in the working area. Shore protection works will be carried out by crane barges and dredger. Soil investigation works will also be carried out in the working area.
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 look-out; (c) Proceed at a safe speed; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 22; and (e) Communicate with Jurong Control on VHF Channel 22 for any assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com

DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Submarine cable repair off Pulau Busing

Submarine cable repair work will be conducted off Pulau Busing from 2 December 2012 to 31 January 2013.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.168 of 2012 dated 29 November 2012, the works will be carried out from 0700 to 1900 hours daily – including Sundays and Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84): A) 1 deg. 13.670’N / 103 deg. 44.503’E B) 1 deg. 13.670’N / 103 deg. 43.856’E C) 1 deg. 14.142’N / 103 deg. 43.856’E D) 1 deg. 14.189’N / 103 deg. 44.217’E E) 1 deg. 14.104’N / 103 deg. 44.217’E F) 1 deg. 14.104’N / 103 deg. 44.326’E G) 1 deg. 13.900’N / 103 deg. 44.400’E H) 1 deg. 13.881’N / 103 deg. 44.503’E
The repair work will entail the cutting, capping and sealing of the damaged submarine power cable from the crane barge. Divers will be deployed for the recovery of the submarine power cable.
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 look-out; (c) Proceed at a safe speed; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 68; and (e) Communicate with West Control on VHF Channel 68 for any assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com

DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Australia PORT: Newcastle Hunter Valley Coal Chain train derailment 

A fully laden coal train derailed from a bridge just south of Baggabri on its way to Newcastle, late yesterday (29 November).
Five wagons plunged off the bridge, which was badly damaged.
However, given the location of the derailment, it is expected to have minimal impact on coal exports through the port of Newcastle.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Australia PORT: Portland 2012 Christmas Berthing Protocol ————— Vessels will not be berthed or unberthed [at the Port of Portland] between 1700 hours on the 24 December and 0600 hours on the 26 December – all berthing or unberthing operations will need to be completed by 1700 hours on the 24 December and will resume at 0600 hours on the 26 December.
At the discretion of the Harbour Master, some allowances may be given if there are several vessels due to unberth on the 24 December at/about 1700 hours or berth on the 26 December at/about 0600 hours.
EMERGENCIES In the event of an emergency, vessels will be berthed or unberthed as required at the discretion of the duty Harbour Master after due consideration has been given to circumstances.
(For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com)
Source: Port of Portland notice

DATE: November 30, 2012 COUNTRY: Turkey PORT: Turkish Straits Strong current in Bosphorus

The Bosphorus was closed to transits for tankers over 200 metres at 0800 hours today (30 November) due to strong current.
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com

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