Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Ivory Coast, Abidjan – Contract awarded for second container terminal
* South Africa, all ports – IMSBC Code: Reminder
* Singapore, Pasir Panjang – Revised working area for dredging works
* Australia, Port Kembla – Temporary reduction of Channel depth
* Australia, Newcastle – Dredging to restore Channel depth
DATE: March 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Ivory Coast
PORT: Abidjan
Contract awarded for second container terminal
The Ivory Coast Government has awarded a contract for the construction of a second container terminal at the port of Abidjan to a consortium of French companies Bollore, Bouygues and Danish group AP Moller-Maersk A/S.
The project envisages the design, financing, construction, development, equipment and operation of the terminal, which will have a capacity to service 1.5 million twenty-foot equivalent containers (TEUs) annually.
For information about operations in Benin and Ivory Coast, please contact GAC-OMA Benin at gac-oma.benin@gac.com
DATE: March 22, 2013
COUNTRY: South Africa
PORT: all ports
IMSBC Code: Reminder
The South African Maritime Safety Authority has issued a reminder about the mandatory implementation of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) and supplement, through the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.
The Code came into force on 1 January 2011, and its new amendments became mandatory on 1 January this year.
The primary aim of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code is to facilitate the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes, excluding grain, by providing information on the dangers associated with
the shipment of certain types of solid bulk cargoes and instructions on the procedures to be adopted when the shipment of solid bulk cargoes is contemplated. Grain cargoes are covered by the International Grain Code.
As of 01 January 2013, solid bulk cargoes shall be shipped only in accordance with the IMSBC Code, incorporating Amendment 01-11 – (IMO Resolution MSC 318(89)). To keep pace with the expansion and progress of
industry in recent years, the Code has undergone many changes, including:
– Fully updated individual schedules for solid bulk cargoes;
– New individual schedules for such cargoes as distillers dried grains with solubles, ferrous sulphate heptahydrate, granular ferrous sulphate, magnesium sulphate fertilizers and wood products – general;
– Fly ash is now split into ‘dry fly ash’ with the same requirements as previously, and ‘wet fly ash’ which has hazards so that it may liquefy;
– Identifying many cargoes which are liable to cake and especially form overhangs during discharge;
– Issues with bunkering or moving fuel oil adjacent to certain new cargoes;
– References to the most recent SOLAS amendments;
– Updated information from the 2010 edition of the IMDG Code;
– Clarifying the roles and responsibilities for the cargo.
Shipowners and Managers should note:
* For cargoes where it has been identified that the fixed gas fire-extinguishing system may be ineffective, new arrangements, albeit temporary, may have to be fitted such as extra fire hoses. Extra caution will be needed for cargoes which may cake;
* New cargoes which may self-heat or deplete the atmosphere of oxygen.
Most cargoes have certain requirements and thus it is principally a question of checking the latest version of the Code to see which requirement is applicable for that particular cargo. In the limited instances of unusual requirements, the familiarisation needed to comply is minimal.
The IMSBC Code is available from the International Maritime Organization website – www.imo.org.
For information about operations in South Africa contact GAC South Africa
at shipping.capetown@gac.com
DATE: March 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Pasir Panjang
Revised working area for dredging works
The working area has been revised and the working period extended for dredging off Pasir Panjang Terminal. The work
will now be carried out from 23 March to 6 April.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.34 of 2013, the works will be conducted within the working areas bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
Working Area “Sector 06”
A) 01° 16.662’N / 103° 46.579’E
B) 01° 16.593’N / 103° 46.693’E
C) 01° 16.472’N / 103° 46.748’E
D) 01° 16.339’N / 103° 46.669’E
E) 01° 16.463’N / 103° 46.461’E
Working Area “Sector 07”
A) 01° 16.563’N / 103° 46.707’E
B) 01° 16.472’N / 103° 46.748’E
C) 01° 16.266’N / 103° 46.626’E
D) 01° 16.308’N / 103° 46.556’E
Working Area “Sector 01”
A) 01° 16.682’N / 103° 46.590’E
B) 01° 16.556’N / 103° 46.798’E
C) 01° 16.420’N / 103° 46.717’E
D) 01° 16.545’N / 103° 46.510’E
Working Area “Sector 02”
A) 01° 16.598’N / 103° 46.278’E
B) 01° 16.525’N / 103° 46.849’E
C) 01° 16.507’N / 103° 46.838’E
D) 01° 16.537’N / 103° 46.787’E
E) 01° 16.420’N / 103° 46.717’E
F) 01° 16.462’N / 103° 46.647’E
Working Date & Hours:
1) 24 hrs daily including Sundays and Public Holidays.
2) Sector 06: from 23 Mar 13 to 28 Mar 13.
Sector 07: from 29 Mar 13 to 31 Mar 13
Sector 01: from 31 Mar 13 to 03 Apr 13
Sector 02: from 03 Apr 13 to 06 Apr 13
Dredging works will be carried out by the Cutter Suction Dredger, “No.3 Suez”, held in position by 2 anchors. Her anchors will be extended to 150m from the dredger and will be not extended beyond working areas.
Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barge assisted by pusher tugs.
During the operation, the dredger and hopper barge will be attended by tug boats when required. The tug boats will be used to shift the crane barge and hopper barge, away from the fairway for vessels to berth or unberth.
Safety boats will be deployed in the vicinity to warn the other craft to keep clear of the working areas.
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working areas, mariners are reminded to:
(a) keep well clear of the working areas;
(b) maintain a proper lookout;
(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: March 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Port Kembla
Temporary reduction of Channel depth
Port Kembla Port Corporation has advised that following the latest hydrographical survey results, the Channel depth has been reduced from 15.15m to 15.00m with revised maximum draft of 15.0m +tide/1.08 for all Cape size vessels.
There are also draft depth reductions at the following berths:
Coal Berth 102
Reduced to 15.75m from 15.85m
AAT Berth 105
Reduced to 14.85m from 15.0m
AAT Berth 106
Reduced to 13.6m from 13.75m
Gateway Berth 203
Reduced to 9.75m from 10.1m
The Port Authority has started remediation action, and further notice will be given once the depths have returned to normal.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: March 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Newcastle
Dredging to restore Channel depth
The Newcastle Port Corporation’s dredge is working around the clock to remove silt accumulated as a result of recent floods, reducing the Channel depth from 15.20m to 14.30m at zero tide.
The Channel Depth is scheduled to be increased to 14.60m at zero tide on 25 March and progressively to 15.20m at zero tide over the next 3-4 weeks.
In its letter dated 22 March 2013, the Port Corporation states:
QUOTE…
This is not the first time, due to floods, that Newcastle Port Corporation has needed to restrict channel depth. Newcastle Port Corporation owns and operates its own dredge which normally operates 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week. As soon as Newcastle Port Corporation were able to determine the extent of the siltation, an intensive and targeted dredging program in the area of concern commenced and the dredger is now operating 24 hours per
day….
….It is expected that the channel will probably move to 14.6m by Monday [25 March] and progressively to 15.2m over the next 3 to 4 weeks. You can be assured that Newcastle Port Corporation is utilising all resources to enable the depth of 15.2m to be restored as soon as possible, however specific dates cannot be given.
…UNQUOTE.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
