Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* United States, Houston, Texas – Winter Storm Warning
* Indonesia, Palembang – Extreme weather halts sailing
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Construction of seawater intake & outfall
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Yacht Races between Hong Kong and Macao
* Australia, Abbot Point – Potential cyclone off Queensland
* Australia, Townsville – Port ops suspended due to bad weather
* Egypt, Suez Canal – Transit of container vessels over 95, 000 SCGT
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Houston, Texas
Winter Storm Warning
The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the
Houston region from 3am to midnight local time today (28 January).
Due to the winter weather forecast and the unsafe driving conditions
expected in the Houston area, the Bayport and Barbours Cut Container
Terminal gates will NOT open at 7:00am for commercial truck traffic. The
Port of Houston is expecting to open the gates facilities at 1:00pm.
The Houston APM terminal will be closed due to the expected severe weather.
The terminal is expected to re-open on Wednesday from 1300 – 2200 hours.
The terminal will have modified hours of operation on 1-29-14 with a gate
expected open time of 1300hrs and a closing time of 2200hrs. The terminal
will close for the meal hour between 1700 to 1800hrs.
Further, the opening of the IMS container facility could be delayed and or
the facility may even be closed.
For the latest news, monitor www.portofhouston.com for Port Authority
updates.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Indonesia
PORT: Palembang
Extreme weather halts sailing
Due to extreme weather, the port of Palembang will not release sailing
permits to vessels until Sunday 2 February.
For information about operations at Indonesian ports contact PT Andhika GAC
at shipping.indonesia@gac.com
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Construction of seawater intake & outfall
For approximately 6 months, construction of seawater intake and outfall
will be carried out [at the Former Kai Tak Airport Runway} in the area
bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum)
from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22º 18.733’N / 114º 12.333’E
(B) 22º 18.710’N / 114º 12.311’E
(C) 22º 18.790’N / 114º 12.218’E
(D) 22º 18.810’N / 114º 12.238’E
The works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including one crane
barge, three derrick lighters, one flat top pontoon and some tug boats. The
number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to
suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 50 metres around each 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 barges.
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 employed for the
works will stay in the works area outside the hours of work.
6. Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours
of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations 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.17 of 2014
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Yacht Races between Hong Kong and Macao
Yacht races between Hong Kong and Macao will take place on 31 January 2014
(Friday) and 2 February 2014 (Sunday). About 30 sailing boats are expected
to participate in the races.
The outbound trip from Hong Kong to Macao will start at 1000 hours on 31
January 2014 in an area south-east of Lamma Island (in the vicinity of Yuen
Kok Light). Depending on the weather condition, it will follow:
(a) Course 1 – a westerly route through south of Lamma Island, south of Tai
A Chau, thence to Macao if the wind is coming from the north;
OR
(b) Course 2 – a south-westerly route through the southern Boundary of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, thence to Macao if the wind is
coming from the south.
The return trip from Macao to Hong Kong will start at 1100 hours on 2
February 2014 and will follow:
(a) Course 1 – a route through south of Tai A Chau and to complete the race
at a position east of Cheung Chau if the wind is coming from the north;
OR
(b) Course 2 – a route through south of Shek Kwu Chau and to complete the
race at a position east of Cheung Chau if the wind is coming from the
south.
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 Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.6 of 2014
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Abbot Point
Potential cyclone off Queensland
Due to a potential cyclone approaching the Queensland coast, Abbot Point,
Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminals are currently closed for
berthing and loading operations.
Conditions are expected to deteriorate further over the next few days.
The tropical low is expected to develop into a Category 1 cyclone and cross
the coast between Townsville and Innisfail on Friday (30 January).
Winds are predicted to be in the vicinity of 90kph. In addition to gale
force winds, there is potential for a storm surge associated with this low
and our current predicted high tides.
The Bureau of Meteorology advise that as the system has not had much time
at sea to intensify it is unlikely to exceed Category 2 strength.
For information about operations in Australia contact GA C Australia at
shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Townsville
Port ops suspended due to bad weather
Operations at the port of Townsville have been suspended due to adverse
weather conditions.
The Townsville Regional Harbour Master’s office advise as follows:
QUOTE….
A meeting was held this morning between Port of Townsville management and
the Regional Harbour Master to discuss the threat of the developing low in
the Coral Sea and potential for a cyclone developing, associated predicted
high winds and simultaneous king tides and the impact these will have on
Port activities….
….The Regional Harbour Master advises maritime operations in the Port of
Townsville will be suspended from 10:30hrs 28/01/2014 (excluding small
craft and ferries). The suspension of movements will be reviewed throughout
the day.
As of 09:00hrs 28/01/2014 the Port of Townsville has moved to Condition
Yellow in preparation for the adverse weather conditions associated with
the potential cyclone.
The effect of this weather system may impact on the port within 24-48
hours.
Responsibility for preparing for the Cyclones and severe weather, and the
safety and security of property and persons rests with individual property
owners and lessees. It is therefore imperative that all lessees and
property owners take the necessary precautions to ensure that their
property is secure and able to withstand cyclonic conditions and to ensure
the safety of employees, contractors and visitors to leased sites.
Condition Yellow Action List
Condition YELLOW has been declared by the POTL CEO which indicates an
intensifying risk of a cyclone or associated weather storm impacting on the
Port of Townsville.
Port Users should consider adding the following to their cyclone
preparation plans for Condition Yellow.
* Ensure dangerous cargo can be moved to a safe position away from ANY
tidal surge or flood prone area.
* Provide POTL a list of and Dangerous Goods or Marine Pollutants remaining
in the Port area.
* Commence moving and securing any lose equipment not required for current
operations.
* Ensure briefing messages from POTL are forwarded to employees
POTL is also considering the requirement that the site be powered down and
all tenants should also consider their shut-down plans should this become
necessary.
….UNQUOTE.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at
shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: January 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Egypt
PORT: Suez Canal
Transit of container vessels over 95, 000 SCGT
From 1 February, container vessels over 95, 000 (SCGT) will be able to join
the second southbound convoy (N2) transiting the Suez Canal, upon payment
of a surcharge.
This follows work executed on the Ballah west branch of the Suez Canal to
accommodate container ships over 95000 (SCGT) with a draught up to 48ft,
LOA up to 370m and maximum beam of 50m.
As advised in the Authority’s Circular No.1/2014, container ships up to
101000 (SCGT) and draught up to 45ft will be able to join the N2 convoy
against the payment of a surcharge as follows:
a) Vessels arriving within the limit time and up to 0300 hrs pay a
surcharge of 8% of transit dues with a maximum of SDR 17000.
b) Vessels arriving after 0300 hrs and up to 0400 hrs pay a surcharge of
10% of transit dues with a maximum of SDR 20000.
c) Vessels arriving after 0400 hrs and up to 0500 hrs pay a surcharge of
12% of transit dues with a maximum of SDR 22000.
d) Vessels arriving after 0500 hrs, if traffic conditions permit, pay a
surcharge of 12% of transit dues with a maximum of SDR 22000.
Container ships over 101000 (SCGT) or a draught over 45ft and up to 48ft,
LOA up to 370m and a maximum beam of 50m will be able to join the second
southbound convoy (N2) against the payment of additional dues as follows:
a) Vessels arriving within the limit time and up to 0300 hrs pay a
surcharge of 8% of transit dues with a maximum SDR 20000.
b) Vessels arriving after 0300 hrs and up to 0400 hrs pay a surcharge of
10% of transit dues with a maximum of SDR 25000.
c) Vessels arriving after 0400 hrs up to 0500 hrs pay a surcharge of 12% of
transit dues with a maximum of SDR 30000.
d) Vessels arriving after 0500 hrs, if traffic conditions permit, pay a
surcharge of 12% of transit dues with a maximum of SDR 30000.
Circular No. 5/2013 regarding the hourly hire rates of imposed salvage
tugboats remains in force.
For information about operations in the Suez Canal contact GAC Egypt at
suezcanal@gac.com
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“Jo”
