HOT PORT NEWS from GAC
Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* China, Qingdao – Tankers evacuated after oil pipe blast
* Singapore, Pasir Panjang – Underwater drilling/blasting at Pasir Panjang
Terminal, Phase 3&4
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Construction of Public Pier at Trio Beach, Sai
kung
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Dredging at Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone
* Australia, Port Kembla – Adverse weather closes port
* Ecuador, Guayaquil – New regulations for river navigation
DATE: November 22, 2013
COUNTRY: China
PORT: Qingdao
Tankers evacuated after oil pipe blast
For safety reasons, tankers were evacuated from their berths or the sea
area near the outer anchorage at Qingdao, and vessel calls scheduled for
tomorrow cancelled, following a pipeline explosion today (22 November)
which is reported to have killed 35 and injured 166.
According to state media, the blast occurred after a leaking oil pipeline
caught fire in the city. Workers were trying to repair the pipeline at the
time of the explosion. More than 100 fire fighters were involved in putting
out the fire.
For information about operations in China contact GAC China at
china@gac.com
DATE: November 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Pasir Panjang
Underwater drilling/blasting at Pasir Panjang Terminal, Phase 3&4
The working area for underwater drilling and blasting works at Pasir
Panjang Terminal, Phase 3&4, has been revised and the working period has
been extended.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine
Notice No. 152 of 2013, the works will now be conducted from 22 November to
9 December, within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates
(WGS 84 Datum):
1) 1 deg. 16.457’N / 103 deg. 46.567’E
2) 1 deg. 16.290’N / 103 deg. 46.469’E
3) 1 deg. 16.189’N / 103 deg. 46.635’E
4) 1 deg. 16.356’N / 103 deg. 46.734’E
Drilling will be carried out 24hrs daily, including Sundays.
Blasting work will be carried out 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 G1 Area shall only be carried out
when P24-P25 are closed to all PSA berthing/unberthing operations (WM524 –
WM 882).
Prior to commencement of drilling and blasting works at Sector G1 Area, an
approach channel (of at least 300m in width) with a restriction on vessel
of greater than 200m in LOA will be established so as to allow PSA berthing
/ unberthing operations to P25 – P26 (WM 882 – 1300).
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: November 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Construction of Public Pier at Trio Beach, Sai kung
—————
For approximately 3 months, marine works involving construction of public
pier will be carried out [at Trio Beach, Sai kung] within the area bounded
by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from
(A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22º 21.439’N / 114º 16.151’E
(B) 22º 21.420’N / 114º 16.151’E
(C) 22º 21.420’N / 114º 16.107’E
(D) 22º 21.443’N / 114º 16.121’E
The works will be conducted by one derrick barge. One tug will provide
assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from
time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 30 metres around the derrick barge will be
established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be
laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the barge.
Silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be
established around the public pier. The silt curtains are large piece of
netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow markers fitted with
yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt
curtains.
Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of
work.
The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried
out on Sundays and Public Holidays. Vessels engaged in the works will stay
in the works area outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the works will display signals as prescribed in
international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep
clear at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the area.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.140 of 2013
DATE: November 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Dredging at Yim Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone
For approximately 9 months, dredging operations will be carried out at Yim
Tin Tsai (East) Fish Culture Zone in Plover Cove within the area bounded by
straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A)
to (D):
WORKS AREA:
(A) 22º 27.354’N / 114º 13.487’E
(B) 22º 27.220’N / 114º 13.510’E
(C) 22º 27.163’N / 114º 13.124’E
(D) 22º 27.297’N / 114º 13.102’E
The works will be carried out by one grab dredger, three split hopper
barges, three tug boats and one work boat. The number of vessels engaged in
the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
During the dredging operations, affected fish raft will be temporarily
relocated to the area bounded by straight lines joining the following
co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (E) to (H):
TEMPORARY RELOCATION AREA:
(E) 22º 27.895’N / 114º 12.974’E
(F) 22º 27.711’N / 114º 12.974’E
(G) 22º 27.711’N / 114º 12.691’E
(H) 22º 27.895’N / 114º 12.691’E
A working area of approximately 50 metres around the grab dredger will be
established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be
laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the grab dredger.
Several silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will
be established within the works area. Each silt curtain is a large piece of
netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow markers fitted with
yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt
curtains.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 2300 hours. Vessels engaged in the
works will stay in the works area outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in
international and local regulations.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.139 of 2013
DATE: November 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Port Kembla
Adverse weather closes port
Port Kembla was closed today due to adverse weather. The duty pilot will
re-assess the situation at 0700 local time tomorrow (Saturday 23 November).
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at
shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: November 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Ecuador
PORT: Guayaquil
New regulations for river navigation
New regulations are in effect for navigation and entry/exit movements
within the Guayas River.
A maximum safety draft has been established at 6.80 metres in the River. As
vessels with a draft of 6.80 metres must transit at high tide, for their
safety, crossing through the Barra Norte zone must be one hour before the
high tide at Puna Oceanic Station, and crossing through the Bajos Paola
zone must be 30 minutes before the high tide at Guayaquil Station.
Vessels entering through the sea buoy of Data Posorja must begin the voyage
towards the Guayas River approximately 4 hours before the hour of high tide
in the vicinity of Puna Station.
Guayaquil Port Authority is responsible for ensuring strict compliance of
the conditions of the regulations.
(For information about operations in Ecuador, contact the GAC Americas Hub
Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Remar SA, part of the Ultramar Network, Ecuador – GAC agent
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