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Hot Port news from GAC

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GAC-newYour daily news service from ports around the world.

In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Germany, Kiel Canal – Union confirms strike at locks
* Singapore, all ports – Maritime Labour Convention 2006 coming into force
* Egypt, Suez Canal – Canal Authority issues e-mail warning
* Panama, Panama Canal – Vessel requirements for new Panamax
* Chile, all ports – HIgh Swell Warning

DATE: August 06, 2013
COUNTRY: Germany
PORT: Kiel Canal
Union confirms strike at locks

The local labour union VERDI has given official notice of a strike at
Kiel-Canal Locks (Brunsbuettel) from tomorrow morning (7 August) through to
Sunday 11 August.

Traffic will experience heavy delays/restrictions during this period.

The same or similar action is expected at the Kiel-Holtenau-Locks next
week.

(For information about operations in Germany contact the GAC UK Hub Agency
Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)

Source: Sartori & Berger, Germany – GAC agent

DATE: August 06, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: all ports
Maritime Labour Convention 2006 coming into force

Singapore is a party to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), which
will come into force on 20 August 2013. The MLC applies to all ships
registered with the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) ordinarily engaged in
commercial activities.

This Circular provides updates on the application of the MLC to Singapore
ships, as well as persons on board Singapore ships.

APPLICATION OF THE MLC TO IMO’S MODU CODE CERTIFIED SHIPS
==========================================
The MLC Tripartite Working Group1 (TWG) had earlier agreed that the MLC
would not apply to Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) as defined in the
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) MODU Code. The TWG has further
clarified that the MLC will not apply to Singapore ships which comply with
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) MODU Code and hold a MODU
Safety Certificate. MPA will be adopting this position, and this would
subsequently be reflected in our national legislation.

APPLICATION OF THE MLC TO PERSONS ON BOARD SINGAPORE SHIPS
==========================================
Taking into account International Labour Organisation (ILO) Resolution VII,
the TWG has agreed that the following categories of persons working on
board Singapore ships should not be regarded as seafarers for the purposes
of application of the MLC.
a. Harbour pilots
b. Port workers
c. Persons temporarily employed on the ship in port
d. Guest entertainers
e. Surveyors
f. Ship inspectors
g. Superintendents
h. Scientists
i. Researchers
j. Divers
k. Repair technicians
l. Specialist offshore technicians

In addition, privately contracted security personnel should also not be
regarded as seafarers for the purposes of application of the MLC.

If there are categories of persons for which doubt may exist, the question
will be determined taking into account the guidance in ILO Resolution VII.

MPA will be adopting the above position on the application of the MLC to
persons on board Singapore ships, and this would subsequently be reflected
in our national legislation. In case of doubt whether the MLC will apply to
a category of persons on board a Singapore ship, a company should approach
the Seafarers Management Department (MMO_mpa@mpa.gov.sg) in MPA for
assistance and confirmation.

APPLICATION OF THE MLC TO SINGAPORE SHIPS NAVIGATING EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE
SINGAPORE PORT LIMITS
==========================================
The MLC will not apply to a Singapore ship which navigates exclusively
within the Singapore Port Limits. After the MLC comes into force, such
ships will not be granted port clearance to leave Singapore Port Limits.

GUIDANCE ON UPDATING OF DECLARATION OF MARITIME LABOUR COMPLIANCE (DMLC)
PART II AND STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE (SOC)
==========================================
Singapore ships may have already obtained a Statement of Compliance (SOC)
based on the provisional list of requirements of the Declaration of
Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Part I provided in MPA Shipping Circular
No. 18 of 2012. For these ships, if the existing DMLC Part II is sufficient
to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the transitional
ship-specific DMLC Part I, there is no further need to replace the existing
DMLC Part II and the existing SOC.

Shipowners may still replace their existing DMLC Part II and existing SOC
on a voluntary basis.

(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at
singapore@gac.com)

Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular to
Shipowners No. 14 of 2013 dated 6 August 2013

DATE: August 06, 2013
COUNTRY: Egypt
PORT: Suez Canal
Canal Authority issues e-mail warning

The Suez Canal Authority is warning customers not to respond to any email
with the extension “@suezcanalauthority.com“.

The official Email extension of Suez Canal Authority is
“@suezcanal.gov.eg“.

For information about operations in the Suez Canal contact GAC Egypt at
suezcanal@gac.com

DATE: August 06, 2013
COUNTRY: Panama
PORT: Panama Canal
Vessel requirements for new Panamax

The Panama Canal Authority has issued a reminder for all vessels arriving
in Canal waters, whether for docking or transiting, to comply with vessel
requirements as set out in the Maritime Regulations for the Operation of
the Panama Canal.

Definitons and requirements applicable to all vessels intending to transit
the Canal’s new locks is given in the Panama Canal Authority’s Advisory to
Shipping No.A-20-2013.

For details, and information about operations in the Panama Canal, contact
GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com

DATE: August 06, 2013
COUNTRY: Chile
PORT: all ports
HIgh Swell Warning

The Chilean national Maritime Authority in Valparaiso has issued a HIGH
SWELL WARNING effective from the afternoon of 5 August until the morning of
9 August.

The swell will manifest itself most strongly at high tide, and according to
local wind conditions.

The high swell is in effect as follows:
– San Vicente to San Antonio: From August 05/pm.
– San Antonio-Valparaiso to Coquimbo/Guayacan from August 06/pm.
– Coquimbo to Antofagasta from August 07/am.
– Antofagasta to Arica from August 08/pm.

This high swell will affect the areas from Arica to San Vicente at
different intensities for each port/terminal. Unstable conditions could
close the port at any time.

The current port statuses are as follows:

– Iquique: Petrobras & Copec
OPEN for all mooring/unmooring.

– Tocopilla : Electroandina
OPEN for all mooring/unmooring.

– Mejillones: Interacid
OPEN for all mooring/unmooring.

– Antofagasta: Enex
CLOSED for all mooring/unmooring.

– Caldera: Copec Rocas Negras
OPEN for all mooring/unmooring.

– Guayacan: Copec
OPEN for all mooring/unmooring.

– Quintero: LPG, Multibouy, SBM, El Bato, STS, Bunkering
CLOSED for Oil terminals mooring/unmooring.

– Valparaiso:
OPEN for bunkering, spare parts, and crew change.

– Talcahuano: STS Operation
OPEN for lightering.

– San Vicente: Enap North/South
OPEN for Oil terminals mooring/unmooring.

(For information about operations in the Americas, contact the GAC Houston
Hub Agency Centre at hub.us@gac.com)

Source: Ultramar Network, Chile – GAC network agent

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