Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Worldwide – World Holidays: 27 October-9 November 2013
* United States, Baltimore, Maryland – Longshoremen strike shuts down port
operations
* Singapore, Pasir Panjang – Underwater drilling and blasting works
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Yacht Race from Hong Kong to Vietnam
DATE: October 16, 2013
COUNTRY: Worldwide
World Holidays: 27 October-9 November 2013
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the
following:
Sun 27 Oct – Independence Day (Turkmenistan)
Mon 28 Oct – Foundation of Independent Czech Republic
Mon 28 Oct – Greek National Holiday (“Ochi Day”)
Mon 28 Oct – New Zealand Labour Day
Mon 28 Oct – Non-Working Holiday for Barangay & Sangguniang Kabataan
Elections (Philippines)
Tue 29 Oct – Turkey Republic Day
Fri 1 Nov – All Saints’ Day
Fri 1 Nov – Anniversary of the Revolution (Algeria)
Sat 2 Nov-Sun 3 Nov – Deepavali/ /Diwali
Tues 4 Nov – Hejir New Year (Lebanon)
Tue 4 Nov – Islamic New Year (Algeria)
Tue 4 Nov – Russia Day of Unity
Tue 4 Nov – Hew Hijra Year (Hijri holidays may change due to crescent
status) (Egypt)
Tue 5 Nov – Islamic New Year
Sat 9 Nov – Iqbal Day (Pakistan)
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: October 16, 2013
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Baltimore, Maryland
Longshoremen strike shuts down port operations
Cargo operations at the port of Baltimore are being affected today (16
October) by a strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association.
The strike comes after contract negotiations stalled last nhight with the
Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore, which represents management.
No ships are being worked at the public marine terminals.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: October 16, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Pasir Panjang
Underwater drilling and blasting works
The working area for underwater drilling and blasting works at Pasir
Panjang Terminal, Phase 3 & 4, has been revised and working period has been
extended.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine
Notice No. 142 of 2013 dated 16 October 2013, the works will be conducted
from 18 October to 6 November, within the working area bounded by the
following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
Blasting Area Sector C1
1) 1 deg. 16.646’N / 103 deg. 46.569’E
2) 1 deg. 16.486’N / 103 deg. 46.476’E
3) 1 deg. 16.365’N / 103 deg. 46.680’E
4) 1 deg. 16.475’N / 103 deg. 46.745’E
5) 1 deg. 16.576’N / 103 deg. 46.678’E
Drilling will be carried out 24 hours daily, including Sundays and Public
Holidays.
Blasting work will be carried daily in accordance to the following schedule
except on Sundays.
1. 0800hrs – 0900hrs
2. 1200hrs – 1400hrs
3. 1630hrs – 1830hrs
Drilling and blasting works in Sector C1 Area shall only be carried out
when P25 – P26 is closed to all PSA berthing / unberthing operations.
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.
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 meters
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: October 16, 2013
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Yacht Race from Hong Kong to Vietnam
A yacht race from Hong Kong to Vietnam will take place on 17 October 2013
(Thursday). About 20 yachts are expected to participate in the race.
The race will commence on 17 October 2013 at 1310 hours at a place off the
Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter. It will follow an easterly route through the
harbour, Tathong Channel and Waglan Island, thence to Vietnam.
If the wind is not strong enough inside the harbour, the race will commence
from southeast of Lamma Island. It will follow a south-westerly route,
thence to Vietnam.
Masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in the
vicinity of the race routes should proceed with caution, giving practical
consideration to the contestants.
Compliance with the provisions of the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 is mandatory.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.115 of 2013
dated 15 October 2013
