Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* United Kingdom, all ports – Light dues reduction
* India, all ports – Compliance with phytosanitary measures for wooden packing
* Singapore, Singapore – Jetty construction at “Lubpark” shared facility
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Temporary establishment of monitors for dolphin survey
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Public pier construction at Trio Beach, Sai kung
* Australia, Mackay – Ports preparing for potential cyclone
* Ukraine, all ports – Russian Navy ship sunk, merchant ports continue ops as usual
* Mexico, Cayo Arcas Terminal – Port dues increase at terminals
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
PORT: all ports
Light dues reduction
The rate for UK Light Dues, covering lighthouses nationwide, will be
reduced on 1 April from GBP 0.41 to GBP 0.40 per NRT (Net registered
tonnage).
This charge is capped at 4, 000 net tonnes or GBP 16, 000.
For information about operations in the UK contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: India
PORT: all ports
Compliance with phytosanitary measures for wooden packing
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has outlined mandatory
requirements related to Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM-15) for wood packaging
for imports and exports.
It is mandatory for export goods using wood packaging materials such as
pallets, dunnage, crating, crating blocks, drums, cases load boards and
pallet collars to be compliant with the phytosanitary measures.
Export/import consignments with wood packaging will be inspected and if any
are found without the ISPM-15 mark, or with dubious marking, they will be
reported to the Plant Quarantine Officer/Authorities for appropriate
action. Such consignments will be release only after ensuring that the wood
packaging materials have been properly treated at the point of entry under
the supervision of the Plant Quarantine Officer.
All wood used for packaging by GAC India for imports & exports, including
household goods shipments, is ISPM-15 compliant and stamped in accordance
with the mandate. All goods sent should also be in ISPM-15 compliant
packaging in order to avoid delays or additional costs.
For further details and information about operations in India contact GAC
India at india@gac.com
For information related to international moving contact
moving.india@gac.com
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Singapore
Jetty construction at “Lubpark” shared facility
The working period for the construction of a jetty at the “Lubpark” shared
facility off Tuas View Extension, West Johor Strait, has been extended. The
work will now continue until 6 September 2014.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine
Notice No. 27 of 2014, the works will be conducted 24 hours daily –
including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by
the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01° 16.783’N / 103° 36.562’E
2) 01° 16.725’N / 103° 36.719’E
3) 01° 16.504’N / 103° 36.457’E
4) 01° 16.446’N / 103° 36.613’E
The construction of the new jetty platform will entail concrete work,
piling and installation of walkways. A safety boat will be in attendance
throughout the duration of the construction work to warn other craft of
the works in the vicinity.
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 & navigate with caution;
(d) maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 25; and
(e) communicate with Pasir Panjang Control on VHF 25 for assistance, if
required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at
singapore@gac.com
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Temporary establishment of monitors for dolphin survey
For approximately 2 months, an acoustic monitor will be temporarily
established on the seabed [at Lung Kwu Tan, Sunny Bay and Siu Ho Wan] in
each of the following locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22 deg. 23.824’N / 113 deg. 54.644’E
(B) 22 deg. 23.408’N / 113 deg. 54.459’E
(C) 22 deg. 23.093’N / 113 deg. 54.919’E
(D) 22 deg. 20.318’N / 114 deg. 02.100’E
(E) 22 deg. 18.885’N / 113 deg. 59.324’E
(F) 22 deg. 18.852’N / 113 deg. 58.921’E
(G) 22 deg. 18.575’N / 113 deg. 58.660’E
The acoustic monitor is an instrument for collecting dolphin data. It is a
structure of pyramid shape with a height of 0.5 metre and a square base of
1.0 metre by 1.0 metre.
Regular diving operations for retrieving data from and inspecting the
acoustic monitors will be carried out by a work boat in the above locations
once every two months.
The hours of work will be from 0900 to 1730 hours. No work will be carried
out on Sundays and public holidays.
Vessel 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 that 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.32 of 2014
dated 6 March 2014
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Public pier construction 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 a derrick barge. A 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.33 of 2014
dated 6 March 2014
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Mackay
Ports preparing for potential cyclone
A Cyclone Watch has been declared for coastal and island communities from
Cairns to Mackay, and the Mackay and Hay Point Pilotage Areas will be
closed at 1800 hours local time tomorrow (Saturday 8 March).
Ships at anchor are free to leave when safe to do so but must clear the
pilotage area by 1800 hours Saturday. Masters are to contact VTS advising
their movements.
At Abbot Point, the coal terminal is expected to suspend all movements from
2359 tomorrow (8 March). Vessels may resume berthing on 11 March, depending
on the effects of passing of Tropical Low system.
The Harbour Master advises:
QUOTE…
Masters are advised that heavy rain/seas and strong winds associated with
deepening low in the Coral Sea which is forecast to become a cyclone is
expected offshore of Townsville between Cardwell and Bowen. All ships at
anchor are advised to ballast down and engines are to be kept ready at
short notice. Masters are advised to consider the safety of their vessel
and depart the anchorage if the weather deteriorates.
…UNQUOTE.
For information about operations at Australia ports contact GAC Australia
at shipping.australia@gac.com
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: Ukraine
PORT: all ports
Russian Navy ship sunk, merchant ports continue ops as usual
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has issued a statement that a Russian Navy
Kara-class cruiser was sunk in Donuszlav Bay yesterday (6 March),
effectively creating a blockade on Ukrainian Navy ships deployed in
Novoozerne. Meanwhile, the country’s port authorities report that all
merchant ports are still operating as normal and with no delays.
According to the Ministry statement, Russian ships blocking the Ukrainian
vessels in Donuszlav Lake left the area at 23:30 on 5 March. The Russian
military then towed the ‘Ochakov’ into the navigation channel where she was
filled her with water, and some sort of explosion followed. As the water
depth in the area is only 9-11 metres, the upper part of the semi-submerged
ship is still visible. As a result, vessels cannot leave the Donuzlav Lake.
This development has had no impact on merchant shipping and operations at
all the country’s commercial ports are reported to be continuing as usual.
For information about operations in Ukraine, contact GAC-Maxmarin at
gac-maxmarin.ukraine@gac.com
DATE: March 07, 2014
COUNTRY: Mexico
PORT: Cayo Arcas Terminal
Port dues increase at terminals
From tomorrow (8 March), the port dues for Cayo Arcas, Ta’kuntah and Y’uum Kak Nab will increase by 14.03%.
The new tariff per GRT will be: 6.50 x 16% VAT (compared to the old tariff of 5.70 x 16% VAT).
For information about operations in Mexico contact GAC-Tomas Ruiz at gac-tomasruiz@gac.com
GAC is the world’s leading provider of services and solutions for the global Shipping, Logistics and Marine industries.
“Jo”
