Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* South Africa, Cape Town – No shipping movements during Transnet CEO visit
* Singapore, Pasir Panjang – Underwater drilling and blasting
* Brazil, all ports – National stevedores’ strike still on
* Panama, Panama Canal – Canal tugboat fleet expansion
DATE: July 04, 2013
COUNTRY: South Africa
PORT: Cape Town
No shipping movements during Transnet CEO visit
On 5 July 2013, there will be no shipping movement between 1000-1400 hours
as Mr. Tau Morwe, CEO of Transnet National Ports Authority, will be
visiting the port of Cape Town where he will be addressing all Transnet
employees.
The office of the Harbour Master urges that customers and clients please
plan accordingly. All parties will be updated accordingly of any
developments.
(For information about operations in Cape Town contact GAC South Africa at
shipping.capetown@gac.com)
Source: Transnet Memorandum dated 3 July 2013
DATE: July 04, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Pasir Panjang
Underwater drilling and blasting
The working area has been revised and
the working period extended for underwater drilling and blasting works
Pasir Panjang Terminal, Phase 3 & 4. The work is now being conducted from 3
to 6 July.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine
Notice No.86 of 2013, the works are being carried out within the working
area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
Blasting Area Sector 14 – 2nd Blasting
1. 1 deg. 16.306’N / 103 deg. 46.776’E
2. 1 deg. 16.190’N / 103 deg. 46.970’E
3. 1 deg. 16.971’N / 103 deg. 46.841’E
4. 1 deg. 16.088’N / 103 deg. 46.647’E
Drilling is being carried out 24 hours daily.
The schedule for blasting will be carried out as follows:
1. 0800hrs – 0900hrs
2. 1200hrs – 1400hrs
3. 1630hrs – 1830hrs
Underwater drilling and blasting works will be carried out by work barge,
Orion 84, held in position by 4-point anchor winch/wire spread. Orion 84
will have a circular safety working zone in accordance to the Explosive
Safety Regulations centered at the barge.
During the operation, Orion 84 shall be attended to by anchor / tug boats.
Storage of explosives will be on board a licensed Explosive Lighter Barge
guarded by Armed Protection Officers (APOs) at all times.
Safety boats will be in attendance at all times to warn and re-direct craft
in the vicinity to keep clear of the on-going underwater drilling and
blasting work area.
The following Blast Warning Procedure will be adopted for each underwater
blasting operation:
a) All personnel will be evacuated from the danger zone prior to blasting
operations;
b) APOs in Safety Boats will cordon off the blasting area 30mins prior to
commencement of blasting operations;
c) Two (2) prolonged horn blasts will be sounded 15mins prior to
commencement of blasting operations;
d) Red Flag will be hoisted to warn mariners 5mins prior to commencement of
blasting operations;
e) Three (3) short horn blasts will be sounded 5mins prior to commencement
of blasting operations;
f) Four (4) short horn blasts will be sounded immediately prior to blasting
operations – blast is initiated on fourth (4th) horn blast;
g) One (1) prolonged horn blasts will be sounded after the completion of
blasting operations;
and
h) Red Flag will be lowered to signal the completion of blasting
operations.
Blasting works in these areas will neither have any adverse impact nor will
it hinder PSA berthing operation at P23 to P26.
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 and navigate with caution;
(d) comply with the instructions from Pasir Panjang Control and the APO
craft at the scene;
(e) cease all underwater diving activities within a radius of 144 metres
from the perimeter of the working area during the periods of blasting;
(f) maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 25;
and
(g) 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: July 04, 2013
COUNTRY: Brazil
PORT: all ports
National stevedores’ strike still on
The national stevedores’ strike announced for 10 July earlier this week is
still scheduled to go ahead.
Initially, it is planned for a period of 24 hours, but may be extended or
rescheduled for another date or period, depending on the Government
response.
Authorities estimate that about 25, 000 stevedores who work at state ports
will strike on 10 July.
For information about operations in Brazil, contact GAC Brazil at
shipping.brazil@gac.com
DATE: July 04, 2013
COUNTRY: Panama
PORT: Panama Canal
Canal tugboat fleet expansion
The Panama Canal has increased its tugboat fleet with the arrival of the
first two of 14 tugboats, to strengthen the Canal’s capacity for the
operation of a third set of locks.
The tugboats are part of a new fleet of 14 that will arrive within the next
12 months from Spain.
The additional tugs’ capacity will assist Post-Panamax vessels transiting
the Canal.
The update of the Panama Canal tugboat fleet began in 2001, when the
waterway had 20 tigs. That figure has now risen to 39. After retiring
tugsreaching the end of their lifespan, by the end of next year, the Canal
will have a fleet of 44 tugs.
For information about operations in Panama contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at
gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.
