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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:
* Worldwide – MARLO issues alert after incident
* Germany, Kiel Canal – Vessel waiting times for Canal transit
* United States, Houston, Texas – Fog conditions expected to return
* United States, Mississippi River, Louisiana – Oil spill update (28
February)
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Establishment of weather buoys south of Sha Chau
* Panama, all ports – Banks & government institutions close for Carnival

DATE: February 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Worldwide
MARLO issues alert after incident

The U.S. Navy Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain has issued an alert
reporting an attack by two skiffs on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman
this morning (28 February).

The attack is reported to have taken place on or about 280902Z FEB14 at the
position 22:28N – 060:51.5E, GULF OF OMAN.

The skiffs are reported to have each had 2-3 personnel onboard, some
wearing masks. Ladders were sighted and the skiffs paralleled the vessel’s
course and speed.

At the onset, the vessel executed procedures IAW BMP4. Oman Coast Guard
vessel onscene approaching skiffs.

Vessels in the vicinity are urged to operate with a heightened level of
security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA, UKMTO or MARLO.

For any questions contact MARLO at: marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil or by phone
at +973-3940-1395

For information about operations in the Middle East region contact the GAC
Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com

DATE: February 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Germany
PORT: Kiel Canal
Vessel waiting times for Canal transit
—————
Vessels with LOA more than 125m and/or draft over 6.5m are today (28
February) experiencing waiting times of about 3 hours at Brunsbuettel
before entering the Kiel Canal.

Waiting times at Kiel-Holtenau are currently approximately 1 hour.

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

Source: Sartori & Berger – GAC agent

DATE: February 28, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Houston, Texas
Fog conditions expected to return
—————
Fog conditions are again expected at U.S. West Gulf ports from this evening
(28 February) due to warming temperatures and winds returning from the
south.

For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com

DATE: February 28, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Mississippi River, Louisiana
Oil spill update (28 February)
—————
The Captain of the Port New Orleans has rescinded all restrictions and
requirements relating to the oil spill that occurred at approximately 1700
on February 22, 2014.

All mariners may resume normal operations on all waterways in the COTP New
Orleans zone.

(NOTE: Previously only vessels who certified their hulls where oil free
were allowed to resume normal operations.)

The self-assessment requirement is also rescinded.

For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com

DATE: February 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Establishment of weather buoys south of Sha Chau
—————
From 7 March 2014, two weather buoys will be established to the South of
Sha Chau for collecting weather and current data.

The particulars of the buoys are as follows:

(1)
Name:Weather 10
Position (WGS 84 Datum): 22° 20.250’N / 113° 53.810’E
Light Characteristics:Fl (3) Y 10s
Colour: Yellow
Shape: Pillar
Top-mark: Nil
Radar Reflector: Fitted

(2)
Name: Weather 11
Position (WGS 84 Datum): 22° 19.760’N / 113° 52.390’E
Light Characteristics: Fl (4) Y 10s
Colour: Yellow
Shape: Pillar
Top-mark: Nil
Radar Reflector: Fitted

Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and give a
wide berth to the buoys.

(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.28 of 2014

DATE: February 28, 2014
COUNTRY: Panama
PORT: all ports
Banks & government institutions close for Carnival
—————
Banks and government institutions (Immigration, Customs, etc.) in Panama
will be closed from this evening (Friday 28 February) until the afternoon
of Wednesday 5 March, due to national Carnival festivities.

The process to obtain Panama Visa for crew sign on will only be possible on
Saturday (1 March) and Monday (3 March) until noon.

Clearance of ship spares via airfreight could be uninterrupted or be
subject to some minor delays.

Clearance of ship spares or documents via courier will only  be done after
the Festivities.

No Cash To Master arrangements will be possible during this period as the
banks will be closed.

For information about operations in Panama contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at
gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com

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