Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Germany, Kiel Canal – Lock chamber closed for urgent repairs
* Nigeria, all ports – Public holiday declared for Eid-el-Maulud
* United States, Delaware River – Anchor lost
* Qatar, all ports – Drilling operations
* Australia, Newcastle – Possible train drivers’ strike
* Australia, all ports – Tropical low affecting Western Australia & Quensland
DATE: January 22, 2013 COUNTRY: Germany PORT: Kiel Canal – Lock chamber closed for urgent repairs
The Kiel Canal Authority has announced that due to urgent repairs, the New Big South Lock Chamber in Brunsbuettel is out of service with immediate effect until 1600 hours on Thursday, 24 January 2013.
Depending on traffic volume, this may result in some delays.
(For information about operations in Europe contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger – GAC agent
DATE: January 22, 2013 COUNTRY: Nigeria PORT: all ports -holiday declared for Eid-el-Maulud
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Thursday (24 January) a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration.
For information about operations in Nigeria contact GAC Nigeria at nigeria@gac.com
DATE: January 22, 2013 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Delaware River – Anchor lost
An anchor has been lost in the lower end of Marcus Hook Anchorage (Delaware River) in the approximate position of 39-47 deg. 57.9455″N, 075-25 deg. 14.0623″W.
All vessels should avoid anchoring in the lower end until further notice.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: January 22, 2013 COUNTRY: Qatar PORT: all ports – Drilling operations
GDF Suez E&P Exploration Qatar BV is undertaking drilling operations by the offshore jack-up rig SEADRILL “West Freedom” within Qatar Exploration Block 4.
Drilling Rig (“West Freedom”) co-ordinates:
Latitude – 26 deg. 58 min. 32.076 sec. North
Longitude – 51 deg. 29 min, 08.195 sec. East
UTM:
548 192.00m East
Clarke 1880 spheroid, RGS (Qatar)
2 983 582.oom North
Projection: UTM Zone 39 N; Central Meridian: 51 deg.E
The rig “West Freedom” will be mobilised from its current location (Lat. 26 deg. 46’33.328″, Long. 51 deg. 28’40.648″) on or around 20 January 2013.
Approximate project duration: 160/220 days.
GDF SUEZ Exploration Qatar BV advises all fishermen and mariners to be mindful of this operation and to avoid interfering with installation activities. GDF SUEZ Exploration Qatar BV assumes no responsibility for any associated damage or loss following this advertisement.
Vessels ignoring this announcement shall be responsible for all liabilities arising out of their negligent behaviour (e.g. damage to equipment and delay times) which can be expensive….
(For information about operations in or off Qatar contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com)
Source: Notice to Mariners published in Qatar newspapers on 21 January 2013
DATE: January 22, 2013 – COUNTRY: Australia PORT: Newcastle – Possible train drivers’ strike
Coal exports from Newcastle may be affected by industrial action that train drivers have voted in favour of against Pacific National.
Pacific National operates trains in the Hunter Valley, carrying 65% of all the coal transported on the New South Wales rail network.
The union and management will meet again tomorrow (23 January). If no resolution is reached, industrial action is a possibility.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: January 22, 2013 COUNTRY: Australia PORT: all ports – Tropical low affecting Western Australia & Quensland
Tropical low pressure systems are affecting both Western Australia and Queensland, as detailed below:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
At 8:00am WST a tropical low was estimated to be near the west Kimberley coast 195 km east northeast of Port Hedland and 270 km southwest of Broome and moving west southwest at 12 km per hour.
The low may develop into a tropical cyclone on Wednesday as it moves to the west southwest just off the Pilbara coastline. If the system does reach cyclone intensity then gales with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour could develop between Pardoo and Dampier during Wednesday possibly extending west to Onslow late in the day. Squally thunderstorms are expected with locally heavy rainfall.
Port Hedland Port Authority has commenced cyclone tie down procedures as of start of business today (22 January) and should complete prior to 21:00. Major port users have chosen to sail vessels from the port earlier than DUKC tolerances. The Inner harbour will sail the last vessel at 15:30 today. An official port closure time will be disseminated later today.
Dampier Port Authority is monitoring the low pressure system which is expected to develop into a cyclone within the next 36 hours. At this time it is anticipated that Dampier Port will progressively close down today (22 January). Vessels currently at anchor are free to depart from the anchorages without penalty before the end of day light today to ensure they have time to clear the path of the cyclone.
Agents are advised to instruct vessels due to arrive to stay clear of the port and the cyclone track until the anchorages are reopened when conditions moderate.
QUEENSLAND
While Tropical Cyclone Oswald is not directly affecting the coal ports of Queensland it does have the potential to cause widespread rain if it moves south towards the coalfields.
At 4:00am EST ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald was estimated to be 55 km north of Kowanyama and 15 km southeast of Pormpuraaw and moving northeast at 10 km per hour.
Oswald, with gusts up to 100 km/h, has now crossed the coast between Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald is expected to continue moving inland today before adopting more of a southerly track during Wednesday. Damaging wind gusts are currently occurring across the Peninsula district north of about Pormpuraaw and are expected to develop about the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands district north of about Cooktown later tonight.
Heavy rainfall that may lead to flooding associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald is likely about the Peninsula and northern parts of the Gulf Country district today.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald is expected to produce a storm tide in coastal areas between about Kowanyama and Cape Keerweer over the next few hours. Tides between Cape York and Cape Keerweer are also expected to be abnormally high, exceeding the highest tide of the year on the high tide today. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas that may possibly be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia
