Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Worldwide – World Holidays: 24 February-9 March 2013
* Germany, Kiel Canal – Lock out of service during daytime
* Australia, Port Kembla – Port closure
* Australia, all ports – Tropical low expected to become cyclone
DATE: February 23, 2013
COUNTRY: Worldwide
World Holidays: 24 February-9 March 2013
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the following:
Sun 24 Feb – Estonia Independence Day
Mon 25 Feb – Navam Full Moon Poya Day (Sri Lanka)
Thu 28 Feb – Peace Memorial Day
Wed 6 Mar – Independence Day (Ghana)
Fri 8 Mar – Women’s Day (Russia)
For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found in the ‘Contacts’ section of www.gac.com
DATE: February 23, 2013
COUNTRY: Germany
PORT: Kiel Canal
Lock out of service during daytime
Kiel Canal authorities have announced that the big north lock at Brunsbüttel will be out of service during the daytime from Monday (25
February) until Friday 1 March.
During the night time, the lock will be available, provided that there is no high-water due to strong wind.
The big south lock and both small old locks will be available the whole time.
(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 23, 2013
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Port Kembla
Port closure
Due to extreme weather conditions, the port of Port Kembla has been closed to all shipping movements today (23 February).
Based on the present forecast information it is unlikely the port will reopen before midday tomorrow (Sunday 24 February).
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: February 23, 2013
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: all ports
Tropical low expected to become cyclone
A tropical low pressure system is developing off the NW coast of Australia. It is expected to develop into a cyclone during Sunday.
The ports of Dampier, Port Walcott and Port Hedland remain open. However, authorities have put vessels on notice that the ports may be affected and the situation could change tomorrow.
Tropical Cyclone Advice No.2 issued at 2:47 pm WST today (23 February) states:
A Cyclone WATCH is current for a developing tropical low for coastal areas from Broome to Mardie. The Cyclone WATCH for the area from Cape Leveque to Broome has been cancelled.
At 2:00 pm WST a developing tropical low was estimated to be 475 km west northwest of Broome and 525 km north of Port Hedland and moving west southwest at 6 km per hour.
The low is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone on Sunday as it begins to track towards the coast. It is not expected to cause gales in coastal
areas on the weekend but gales may commence on Monday.
During Monday the system will continue to intensify and there is a high risk that it will cross the coast as a severe tropical cyclone on Tuesday
or Wednesday….
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com