Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* France, Fos – Terminal berths to close for maintenance
* United States, Mississippi River, Louisiana – High Water Regulations in place
* United States, New York, NewYork – Vessel Air drafts and Bayonne Bridge allisions
* Australia, Mackay – Proposed port charge increases
* Turkey, all ports – Children’s Day public holiday
DATE: April 22, 2014
COUNTRY: France
PORT: Fos
Terminal berths to close for maintenance
Berths at Fos Petroleum Terminal will be closed for maintenance works on on
28-30 April and 12-16 May, respectively.
Berth C2 will close from 0730 hours local time on Monday 18 April until
1700 hours local time on Wednesday 30 April.
Berth 1 will close from 0730 hours local time on Monday 12 May until 1700
hours local time on Friday 16 May.
Alternative berths will be available for operations at the terminal.
(For information about operations in France contact the GAC UK Hub Agency
Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: SEA-INVEST Shipping Agency Martigues/Fos-sur-Mer – GAC agent
DATE: April 22, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Mississippi River, Louisiana
High Water Regulations in place
Due to current high water conditions on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR),
the following regulations are in effect on the NOBRA Pilots’ route.
Mooring and unmooring operations at all mid-stream transfer facilities
shall be restricted to daylight hours.
Vessels shall be separated by a distance of at least 0.2 nautical miles
(1, 200ft) when anchoring in prescribed anchorages along the NOBRA route,
with the exception of Kenner Bend, Bonnet Carré and Upper Grandview Reach
Anchorages, where nomad anchoring of vessels less than 30 ft. draft will
continue.
Vessels with drafts greater than 40 feet transiting above Bayou Lafourche
Water Intake, Mile 175.4, A.H.P., shall be restricted to daylight only.
(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at
usa@gac.com)
Source: Extract from Louisiana Maritime Association Morning Report for
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
DATE: April 22, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: New York, NewYork
Vessel Air drafts and Bayonne Bridge allisions
The Captain of the Port, New York-New Jersey, has issued a reminder about
the importance of providing accurate information clearance information, and
warns that civil penalties may be pursued against any vessel owner, master
or person in charge that provides inaccurate information that contributes
to a bridge strike.
The Coast Guard Sector New York Marine Safety Information Bulletin 01-14
states:
QUOTE…
The Bayonne Bridge is undergoing a two-year construction project to raise
the roadway an average of 65 feet. The associated demolition activities and
work platforms outside of the navigable channel present serious safety
considerations for mariners. Despite previous Coast Guard advisories, the
Bayonne Bridge has been struck twice within the past four months. The most
recent allision demasted a ship’s INMARSAT C and Ship Safety Alert System
antennas. In this case, the Coast Guard is pursuing a civil penalty against
the ship’s owner.
To ensure the safety of the bridge work crews, as well as ships navigating
in the vicinity of the construction project. Each vessel owner, master, or
person in charge is reminded to review and update as necessary their ship’s
particulars. In accordance with Title 22 Code of Federal Regulations
Section 164.11(k), this includes knowing the distance from their ship’s
keel to its highest point, providing accurate information to the Pilot and
the ship’s agent for safe navigation, and clearly indicating whether vessel
modification data or any adjustable or whip antennas are included.
Bridge allisions, including ship antenna and mast strikes, may cause severe
property damage or even loss of life. Vessels must take proactive measures
to ensure they can safely navigate under bridges and other overhead
obstructions before attempting such transits. Depending on the facts of
future incidents, the Coast Guard will likely pursue civil penalties
against any vessel owner, master or person in charge that provides
inaccurate information that contributes to a bridge allision within the New
York-New Jersey Caption of the Port Zone. The maximum penalty authorized by
the Ports and Waterway Safety Act is USD 40, 000 per incident.
For current vertical and horizontal clearance information and construction
status at the Bayonne Bridge, refer to NOAA Chart 12333, the First Coast
Guard District Local Notice to Mariners (LMN) at http://www.naveen.uscg.gov
and http://www.nws.moaa.gov/om/marine/ports.htm
….UNQUOTE.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA usa@gac.com
DATE: April 22, 2014
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Mackay
Proposed port charge increases
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation are proposing the following
increase to charges, effective from 1 July 2014.
MCAKAY – Seaport Charges:
It is proposed that the 2014/15 port and cargo charges be generally
increased by 3%.
Petroleum and LP Gas cargoes to be increased by 4%.
Raw Sugar and Molasses to be increased by 8% p.a. for the next 3 financial
years.
HAY POINT – User Charges:
Hay Point Coal Terminal – Harbour Dues proposed to increase by 3.6%.
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal – Harbour Dues are proposed to remain
unchanged.
Charges on Ships : Tonnage Dues are proposed to increase by 8%.
For further details, full tariff schedules and information about operations
in Australia ontact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Source: Mackay & Hay Point
DATE: April 22, 2014
COUNTRY: Turkey
PORT: all ports
Children’s Day public holiday
All official institutions and banks in Turkey will be closed tomorrow
(Wednesday, 23 April) due to the Children’s Day public holiday.
Arrangements for crew, spares, provisions, etc. should therefore be made in
good time with the above closure in mind.
Some ports may be closed for the holiday and/or official service fees for
pilotage, towage, mooring, customs, etc.) may be increased by 50% .
Owners/operators are urged to check prior calling at any Turkish Port.
For information about operations in Turkey contact GAC Turkey at
turkey@gac.com
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“Jo”
