Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Germany, Kiel Canal – Diver inspections and repairs
* Singapore, Jurong Port – Construction of sea water intake structure
* Australia, Newcastle – 24-hour rail strike set to affect coal supplies
* Panama, Panama Canal – Canal expansion moving forward
DATE: February 05, 2013
COUNTRY: Germany
PORT: Kiel Canal
Diver inspections and repairs
The Kiel Canal authorities have announced that repair works at the big north lock at Brunsbuettel has been postponed until
the middle of next week.
During the day time, the new south lock at Brunsbuettel will undergo diver inspections and repairs. By night, it will also be available up to a length of 205 metres.
The old locks are in service as usual.
As soon as repairs at the south lock are completed, the north lock will be taken out of service.
(For information about operations in Germany contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger – GAC agent
DATE: February 05, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Jurong Port
Construction of sea water intake structure
The working period has been extended for the construction of a sea water intake structure at Singapore Refining Company Terminal on Jurong Island.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.14 of 2013 dated 5 February 2013, the works will be carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – between 15 February and 31 May, within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
A) 01° 17.511’N / 103° 43.096’E
B) 01° 17.509’N / 103° 43.101’E
C) 01° 17.521’N / 103° 43.104’E
D) 01° 17.523’N / 103° 43.098’E
The construction of the sea water intake structure will entail the installation of sheet piles, deep excavation and concrete works. The sheet
piling, deep excavation and concrete works will be carried out by the crane barge within 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 & navigate with caution;
(d) maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 22 (Jurong Control);
and
(e) communicate with Jurong Control on VHF 22 or assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
DATE: February 05, 2013
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Newcastle
24-hour rail strike set to affect coal supplies
A 24-hour strike called for Friday (8 Februiary) is expected to affect rail supplies of coal to Newcastle from the Hunter Valley.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has given notice of the legally protected strike to Pacific National, an arm of the ASX-listed transport
and logistics group Asciano. Pacific National carries about 300, 000 tonnes of coal a day, and the strike could affect the ability of other rail
companies to use the track network.
There is still potential for a resolution to be reached before Friday. However, negotiations have been going on for many months so far without any successful resolution.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: February 05, 2013
COUNTRY: Panama
PORT: Panama Canal
Canal expansion moving forward
The Panama Canal expansion is moving forward to reach its goal of bolstering the waterway’s capacity in order to provide a better service to
customers. To date, the program is 50% complete….
….Beginning 2013, the Expansion Program has completed several projects.
Dredging of the navigational channels has been completed. This included both Canal entrances, on the Pacific and Atlantic sides, as well as
Gaillard Cut. The remaining dredging work to be done in Gatun Lake is expected to be completed this year.
The excavations of the Pacific lock access channel are 70% complete. This project calls for the excavation of more than 50 million cubic meters of materials along a 6.1 km span and is executed in four phases. Three of the four phases have been completed and the fourth phase is 69% complete.
In addition, the first shipment of 47 valves, to be used for the operation of the third set of locks, arrived during the last couple of weeks. These valves are part of the Post-Panamax locks electromechanical system that will regulate water flow between the chambers, the culverts and water-saving basin conduit…. ….By the end of 2013, a total of 158 valves (culvert, equalization and conduit), 84 bulkheads and 328 trash racks will have arrived for the project. The valves where built in South Korea by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries Construction of the new locks has a 37% progress. The new lock complexes in the Pacific and Atlantic sides will feature three chambers, three water-saving basins per chamber, a lateral filling and emptying system and rolling gates….
….The Panama Canal Authority is closely monitoring progress on every component of the Expansion Program to guarantee that contractors comply with the quality required by each contract.
The Panama Canal Expansion Program will be the largest project at the Canal since its original construction and will double its capacity to allow more traffic.
(For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.
Source: Extract from Panama Canal Authority press release
