Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Worldwide – Incident in the Bab El Mandeb
* Worldwide – ICC: Beware spurious oil fraud claims
* Germany, Kiel Canal – Strike update (27 March)
* South Africa, Cape Town – Bunker product shortage
* United States, Houston, Texas – Ship Channel closure update (27 March)
* United Arab Emirates, Dubai – Lights out for Earth Hour
* Worldwide – ICC: Beware spurious oil fraud claims
* Bunker Update – MARKET PRICE UPDATE 27/03/2014
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: Worldwide
Incident in the Bab El Mandeb
Mariners are advised that on or about 1323 UTC 26Mar the Master of an oil
tanker reported being pursued by six skiffs in position 13.16.00 N –
042.57.00 E, BAM.
Skiffs had an undetermined number of personnel onboard but came within 1.8
NM.
Procedures IAW BMP4 were conducted.
It is recommended vessels within the vicinity of this alert operate with a
heightened level of security and report any suspicious activity to MSCHOA,
UKMTO or MARLO.
Contact the following with any questions: marlo.bahrain@me.navy.mil phone:
+973-3940-1395.
(For information about operations in the Middle East and East Africa,
contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com or the respective
country office. For contact details, go to the ‘GAC Worldwide’ section of
http://gac.com and select the country.)
Source: U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) OIC, Bahrain, notice
issued on 27 March 2014
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: Worldwide
ICC: Beware spurious oil fraud claims
There are fears that shipowners are facing new dangers from criminal gangs
making spurious oil fraud claims.
The ‘victims’/fraudsters try to extort money from owners by bringing action
against them for failing to deliver cargoes of oil they allegedly own.
Such scams were previously confined to West Africa but now appear to have
spread to other countries, as a case reported recently to the ICC
International Maritime Bureau (IMB) shows.
It involves a vessel that trades regularly into the Arabian Gulf. A claim
has been lodged against the shipowner to recover over $50 million, the full
value of a consignment of oil.
The claimant alleges that the cargo of oil it owns was loaded onto the
vessel in Russia but was never delivered to the designated discharge port
in the Arabian Gulf.
Moreover they apparently have documents to prove this, and a local court in
the region has now been persuaded to issue a warrant of arrest against the
vessel named in the claim.
The case has put the shipowner in a dilemma. He is reluctant to risk taking
the vessel into the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued for fear it
will be arrested and he will become embroiled in litigation to get it
released.
At the same time, he is obliged to enter the region under the terms of the
vessel’s current charter party. Defaulting on it would mean he incurs
financial penalties.
Another snag in the case is that the documents presented to the court to
obtain the arrest warrant appear authentic and confirm that the vessel did
load the oil at the Russian port although it had not called at that load
port.
IMB, which is assisting the ship owner and seen the documents, are warning
other owners to be on their guard.
It notes what stands out in this new variation to the West African fraud is
the fact that documents produced in this case seem extremely credible,
enough to convince courts of the claim.
The new case takes the problem to a new level and presents shipowners with
a much bigger danger to their operations because it could seemingly be
replicated anywhere around the world and particularly in states whose legal
systems are less robust.
It also allows the perpetrators to wait for the alleged offending vessel to
arrive at the designated country before lodging a claim locally. This could
mean that the vessel is trapped before it can act….
…IMB is asking shipowners who have experience or are have suspicions of
this new type of crime to contact them so that a suitable response can be
coordinated. IMB offers a range of services to assist shipowners in
determining the authenticity of trade documents, one of which includes
detailed analysis by specialist document checkers.
(For information about operations worldwide contact the respective GAC
office. For contact details click on ‘GAC Worldwide’ at http://gac.com and
select the country)
Source: International Maritime Bureau (http://www.icc-ccs.org/icc/imb)
bulletin dated 26 March 2014
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: Germany
PORT: Kiel Canal
Strike update (27 March)
A strike is today (27 March) affecting operations at the locks at
Kiel-Holtenau and Brunsbuettel in the Kiel Canal.
At Kiel-Holtenau, during the first shift (06:00-14:00 hours) only the small
North Lock Chamber of the Old Locks were out service due to the strike.
Both big lock chambers at the New Locks will be in operation.
During the 14:00-22:00 hours shift, only the old lock remains unattended
due to strike.
Both big lock chambers are in service, but it is not known when vessels
will again be accepted for westbound transits as Brunsbuettel locks remain
closed due to the strike.
At Brunsbuettel, during first shift, only the small lock chambers were out
of service due to strike. The big South Lock Chamber remained in operation.
During the 14:00-22:00 hours shift, no lock chambers are available
Only inland vessels and pleasure boats are being accepted for the small old
locks provided mooring is performed by own crew as no linesmen are
available due to the strike.
(For information about operations in Germany contact the GAC UK Hub Agency
Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger – GAC agent
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: South Africa
PORT: Cape Town
Bunker product shortage
Cape Town is currently experiencing a shortage of bunker product due to a
shutdown at the refinery for unexpected maintenance.
Although some fuel has been imported to make up for the shortfall, it does
not last very long.
Current indications are that this shortage will last for the next two
weeks.
For informaiton about operations in Cape Town contact GAC South Africa at
shipping.capetown@gac.com
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Houston, Texas
Ship Channel closure update (27 March)
The Coast Guard is now permitting traffic and tug/barge movements in the
Houston Ship Channel in both directions through the safety zones without
daylight restrictions.
Six de-contamination stations have been set up for vessels that have been
contaminated. Decontamination will take place at the vessel’s berth as much
as possible.
Priority is being given to move clean vessels first. Vessels that are
currently in the contaminated zones are requested to perform a
self-assessment and report their status to Coast Guard at 832-244-1870.
The contaminated zones are the ports of Texas City, Galveston and the
channels leading to those ports. In addition, Coast Guard reported that
some oil passed through the jetties and drifted to the south. The Coast
Guard is asking vessels anchored south of the jetties to perform a
self-assessment.
Pilot orders should be updated and pilots notified of the contamination
status of vessels.
CBP has advised that they have issued a blanket 24 hour extension of all
clearances.
Since reopening of the ports is now imminent, agents are reminded that
ENOA’s and pilot orders must be kept updated.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: United Arab Emirates
PORT: Dubai
Lights out for Earth Hour
On Saturday (29 March), Dubai Maritime City and Drydocks World will join
other Dubai landmarks in marking Earth Hour, by switching off their lights
from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
For information about operations in Dubai contact GAC Dubai at
dubai@gac.com
DATE: March 27, 2014
COUNTRY: Worldwide
ICC: Beware spurious oil fraud claims
There are fears that shipowners are facing new dangers from criminal gangs
making spurious oil fraud claims.
The ‘victims’/fraudsters try to extort money from owners by bringing action
against them for failing to deliver cargoes of oil they allegedly own.
Such scams were previously confined to West Africa but now appear to have
spread to other countries, as a case reported recently to the ICC
International Maritime Bureau (IMB) shows.
It involves a vessel that trades regularly into the Arabian Gulf. A claim
has been lodged against the shipowner to recover over $50 million, the full
value of a consignment of oil.
The claimant alleges that the cargo of oil it owns was loaded onto the
vessel in Russia but was never delivered to the designated discharge port
in the Arabian Gulf.
Moreover they apparently have documents to prove this, and a local court in
the region has now been persuaded to issue a warrant of arrest against the
vessel named in the claim.
The case has put the shipowner in a dilemma. He is reluctant to risk taking
the vessel into the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued for fear it
will be arrested and he will become embroiled in litigation to get it
released.
At the same time, he is obliged to enter the region under the terms of the
vessel’s current charter party. Defaulting on it would mean he incurs
financial penalties.
Another snag in the case is that the documents presented to the court to
obtain the arrest warrant appear authentic and confirm that the vessel did
load the oil at the Russian port although it had not called at that load
port.
IMB, which is assisting the ship owner and seen the documents, are warning
other owners to be on their guard.
It notes what stands out in this new variation to the West African fraud is
the fact that documents produced in this case seem extremely credible,
enough to convince courts of the claim.
The new case takes the problem to a new level and presents shipowners with
a much bigger danger to their operations because it could seemingly be
replicated anywhere around the world and particularly in states whose legal
systems are less robust.
It also allows the perpetrators to wait for the alleged offending vessel to
arrive at the designated country before lodging a claim locally. This could
mean that the vessel is trapped before it can act….
…IMB is asking shipowners who have experience or are have suspicions of
this new type of crime to contact them so that a suitable response can be
coordinated. IMB offers a range of services to assist shipowners in
determining the authenticity of trade documents, one of which includes
detailed analysis by specialist document checkers.
(For information about operations worldwide contact the respective GAC
office. For contact details click on ‘GAC Worldwide’ at http://gac.com and
select the country)
Source: International Maritime Bureau (http://www.icc-ccs.org/icc/imb)
bulletin dated 26 March 2014
DATE: March 27, 2014
Bunker Update:
MARKET PRICE UPDATE 27/03/2014
GAC Bunker Fuels Ltd Pricing Alert
MARKET PRICE UPDATE 27/03/2014
180 CST 380 CST MGO MDO
Aberdeen 0 0 585.00 0
Aden 730.00 0 1, 115.00 0
Alexandria 755.00 0 1, 170.00 0
Amsterdam 604.00 581.00 890.00 0
Antwerp 607.00 587.00 899.00 0
Aqaba 0 697.00 1, 030.00 0
Bahrain 0 0 1, 040.00 0
Bergen 695.00 672.00 925.00 0
Busan 670.00 640.00 947.50 937.50
Cape Town 0 0 0 0
Colombo 658.00 650.00 1, 020.00 0
Dubai 632.00 615.00 900.00 0
Durban 611.00 0 1, 040.00 0
Fujairah 614.50 607.50 990.00 0
Gibraltar 712.50 675.50 938.50 0
Grangemouth 0 0 602.00 0
Hong Kong 623.50 615.00 932.50 0
Houston 660.00 590.00 970.00 0
Istanbul 633.50 603.50 950.50 0
Jeddah 725.00 690.00 1, 070.00 0
Kaohsiung 668.00 656.00 1, 040.00 1, 025.00
Kuwait 614.00 607.00 989.00 0
Leith 0 0 600.00 0
Lerwick 0 0 590.00 0
Malta 735.50 716.50 914.50 0
Mersey 0 0 588.00 0
Mumbai 627.00 615.50 1, 093.50 0
New York & New Jersey 660.00 605.00 1, 030.00 0
Panama 685.00 625.00 1, 045.00 0
Piraeus 734.50 704.50 927.50 0
Port Louis 693.00 0 1, 065.00 0
Port Said 755.00 675.00 1, 080.00 0
Qatar 0 0 960.00 0
Richards Bay 621.00 0 1, 050.00 0
Rio de Janeiro 635.00 612.00 995.00 0
Rotterdam 613.00 590.00 899.00 0
Salalah 700.00 650.00 1, 095.00 0
Shanghai 653.50 625.00 1, 079.50 0
Sharjah 632.00 615.00 900.00 0
Singapore 618.00 597.00 905.00 0
Sohar 0 629.00 1, 020.00 0
St Petersburg 486.50 465.50 0 0
Stavanger 0 0 941.00 0
Suez 0 680.00 1, 080.00 0
Sunderland 0 0 578.00 0
Thames 0 0 601.00 0
Walvis Bay 700.00 0 1, 061.00 0
West Africa OFFSHORE 0 662.00 1, 010.00 0
Present in seven locations worldwide, GAC Bunker Fuels, part of the GAC group, is a global broker and trader of marine fuels and lubricants.
The prices listed are for indication purposes only, and local offices should be approached directly for firm prices.
Middle East & Africa: bunker.ae@gac.com
Europe: bunker.gb@gac.com
Egypt & Mediterranean: bunker.eg@gac.com
Americas: bunker.us@gac.com
Asia Pacific: bunker.sg@gac.com
Indian Subcontinent: bunker.sl@gac.com
Contact Martyn McMahon on +971 566032534 or Martyn.mcmahon@gac.com quoting
HPN for more information or with your bunker enquiry.
GAC is the world’s leading provider of services and solutions for the
global Shipping, Logistics and Marine industries.
“Jo”
