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In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Australia, all ports – Potential cyclone approaching Queensland coast
* Turkey, Turkish Straits – Fire on bunker barge
* Ukraine, Kerch – Heavy fog closes Kerch Strait
* Venezuela, all ports – Demonstrations affecting travel plans
DATE: March 06, 2014
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: all ports
Potential cyclone approaching Queensland coast
The Queensland Government has issued a Severe Weather Intelligence Brief
about a potential cyclone approaching the coast, which states:
QUOTE….
A tropical low lies to the west of the Solomon Islands and is expected to
move to the southwest over the next few days whilst slowly developing.
Forecasts over the weekend for central and northern Queensland will be
highly dependent on the development and movement of this low.
Likelihood of a tropical cyclone in the Eastern Region on:
Thursday – Low
Friday – Moderate
Saturday – High
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY (BoM) Teleconference 1130hrs Thursday, 6 March 2014:
– David Grant, Severe Weather Forecaster from the BoM briefed members of
the SDCC, QPS, DMU and various DDMGs.
– A tropical low is currently located approx. 1, 200km North-Northeast of
Cairns and is currently travelling at 18km/hr.
– The majority of models indicate that the low could develop into a
Tropical Cyclone either late Saturday or early Friday, with the trend
indicating the system will remain off shore.
– It could then intensify and move Southwest towards Townsville, where it
could develop into a CAT 2. Models are not providing any firm indication
that the system will cross the coast.
– The system is slow moving and as some models do differ the public
expectations of the forecast accuracy needs to be managed.
– Gusts of 80-90km per hour and rainfall from 100-200mm could be expected
in some coastal areas between Cairns and Rockhampton from late Friday or
early Saturday.
– The BoM has moved to 24-hr shifts to monitor the situation and are
looking to issue TC Information Bulletins from this afternoon which will
provide up to date information on this system.
– The monsoon is also active in the Torres Straits with a low pressure
system developing in this area over the weekend.
The Coastal Impact Unit also advised that ‘neap tides’ are expected over
the weekend.
….UNQUOTE.
Central and North Queensland ports including the main Coal Ports are
already experiencing adverse weather which is expected to deteriorate
further over coming days.
ABBOT POINT: Operating as normal at this stage. Monitoring weather
conditions on an ongoing basis.
DALRYMPLE BAY COAL TERMINAL: Operating as normal at this stage. Monitoring
weather conditions on an ongoing basis.
HAY POINT COAL TERMINAL: Operating as normal at this stage. Monitoring
weather conditions on an ongoing basis.
Hay Point Terminal is believed to be likely to suspend all berthing
movements from Saturday morning (8 March) with last vessel sailing at 1000
hours that day. They are not expected to resume operations until Monday (10
March) after the passing of the deepening low and winds.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at
shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: March 06, 2014
COUNTRY: Turkey
PORT: Turkish Straits
Fire on bunker barge
Salvage boats are working to extinguish a bunker barge on fire at the
Bosphorus Anchorage. The barge has 240 MT of IFO and 145 MT of MGO on
board.
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits contact GAC
Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
DATE: March 06, 2014
COUNTRY: Ukraine
PORT: Kerch
Heavy fog closes Kerch Strait
The Kerch Strait was this morning (6 March) closed due to heavy fog.
Meanwhile, operations at all ports in Ukraine are reported to be continuing
as usual without delays.
For information about operations in Ukraine contact GAC-Maxmarin at
gac-maxmarin.ukraine@gac.com
DATE: March 06, 2014
COUNTRY: Venezuela
PORT: all ports
Demonstrations affecting travel plans
Travel to Venezuela may be impacted by ongoing public demonstrations, road blocks and reduced flights and ground transportation.
While safety has not been seriously compromised, current conditions could affect the effectiveness of travel arrangements for personnel travelling to
join vessels in Venezuela.
Operations at the country’s ports are continuing as usual.
For information about operations in Venezuela, contact GAC-Vensport at gac-vensport.venezuela@gac.com
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