Partnership formed for creation of recycling hub
July 18, 2014, United Kingdom, Tilbury
Suez Environment subsidiary SITA UK and Forth Ports Limited have announced a long-term partnership that will see the creation of a major recycling and resource management hub based at the Port of Tilbury on the River Thames.
As part of this agreement, SITA UK will deliver a new Alternative Fuels waste material processing facility at the Port of Tilbury, which will process both solid recovered fuel (SRF) and refuse derived fuel (RDF). The facility is part of a multi-million pound investment which will complement the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) currently operated at the Port of Tilbury.
Nordic Recycling, based at Tilbury, includes the 100, 000 tonnes per year capacity Materials Recovery Facility and a recycling collection business, which have become part of SITA UK;s wider operations.
For information about operations in the UK contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com
CBP flooding notice
July 18, 2014, United States, Port Arthur, Texas
Flooding may cause disruption to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Port Arthur, Texas today (18 July).
This morning, the Port Director advised that Jimmy Johnson Boulevard – where the local CBP office is located – is completely under water. Anyone planning to visit the office should not attempt to do so unless driving a truck, or other vehicle higher than 2–2.5 feet high.
Currently, extensions of one day are being granted on complete clearances. Efforts will be made to have officers meet agents at other locations, however, no officers so far have been able to navigate a way into the office due to the flooding.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Provision for lightering paroles for joining crew
July 18, 2014, United States, all ports
The West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) has issued a reminder regarding lightering paroles for crewmembers joining vessels in the USA.
There have been instances where crewmembers joining a lightering vessel have been denied parole when applying at the airport of arrival and admitted on their C1 transit visa.
Efforts by agents to obtain corrections have been difficult in many cases and WGMA recommend the following steps be taken.
– Crewmembers destined for lightering vessels must present the following items to the CBP officer at the airport of arrival:
* A letter indicating employment with a lightering vessel
* The CBP/Chamber of Shipping letter dated 7/9/2010
* The parole fee of $65
* Passport
* Custom declaration
– During the inspection, if the crewmember believes that a misunderstanding has occurred they should request to speak with a CBP Chief, Supervisor, or a Passenger Service Manager.
– If the agent believes that an error has occurred, he/she should contact CBP at the airport of arrival and request to speak to a Chief or a supervisor regarding the crewmember’s inspection.
– If the CBP airport of arrival determines that a correction or adjustment is warranted they may contact the CBP seaport where the crewmember is located for assistance.
– CBP Houston has advised that the CBP Officers in Houston IAH have been briefed and crewmembers are less likely to encounter complications there.
The following link www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/ has a listing of all CBP Passenger Service Managers for most airports where CBP conducts operations. It also has a listing of all airports where CBP operates and is the best way to reach a CBP manager.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Marine Site Investigation at Picnic Bay, Lamma Island
July 18, 2014, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For approximately two months, marine site investigation works involving drilling of boreholes will be carried out (at Picnic Bay, Lamma Island) in the following areas:
AREA 1:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22 deg. 13.260’N / 114 deg. 08.560’E
(B) 22 deg. 13.217’N / 114 deg. 08.560’E
(C) 22 deg. 13.217’N / 114 deg. 08.514’E
(D) 22 deg. 13.260’N / 114 deg. 08.514’E
AREA 2:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (E) to (H) and the adjacent shoreline:
(E) 22 deg. 12.754’N / 114 deg. 07.999’E
(F) 22 deg. 12.710’N / 114 deg. 08.033’E
(G) 22 deg. 12.685’N / 114 deg. 07.995’E
(H) 22 deg. 12.730’N / 114 deg. 07.961’E
The works will be carried out by one flat top barge. Some tugs and guard boats will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 30 metres around the 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.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works areas outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
(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.87 of 2014 dated 17 July 2014
Marine Site Investigation & Geophysical Survey off Po Toi O
July 18, 2014, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For approximately four months, marine site investigation works involving drilling of boreholes and geophysical survey will be carried out (off Po Toi O) within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 16.598’N / 114 deg. 17.775’E
(B) 22 deg. 16.827’N / 114 deg. 17.788’E
(C) 22 deg. 16.826’N / 114 deg. 17.847’E
(D) 22 deg. 16.629’N / 114 deg. 17.835’E
The marine site investigation works will be carried out by one flat top barge. Some tugs will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 50 metres around the 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.
The geophysical survey works will be carried out by a survey vessel travelling at a speed about 2-3 knots as well as towing a side scan sensor approximately 5 metres astern of the vessel.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works areas outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
(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.89 of 2014 dated 17 July 2014
Super Typhoon Rammasun update (18 July)
July 18, 2014, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
According to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, Strong Wind Signal, No. 3 is in force which means winds with mean speeds of 41-62 km per hour are expected.
At 11am Hong Kong Time today (18 July), Super Typhoon Rammasun was estimated to be about 400km southwest of Hong Kong (near 19.3 deg. N, 112.0 deg. E) and is forecast to move northwest at about 22 km per hour towards Hainan Island and Leizhou Peninsula.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND INTENSITIES
08:00 HKT, 19 July 2014
– Position: 21.6 deg. N/108.4 deg. E
– Classification: Severe Typhoon
– Max. sustained wind near centre: 155 km/h
08:00 HKT, 20 July 2014
– Position: 22.4 deg. N/104.8 deg. E
– Classification: Severe Tropical Storm
– Max. sustained wind near centre: 90 km/h
08:00 HKT, 21 July 2014
– Position: 22.4 deg. N/102.1 deg. E
– Classification: Low Pressure Area
– Max. sustained wind near centre: 40 km/h
For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com
Strikes at Argentine ports: update 18 July 2014
July 18, 2014, Argentina, all ports
URGARA’s strike was lifted on all Argentinean ports at 15:00 hours yesterday (17 July). However, discharge/loading operations and mooring/unmooring at Timbues & San Martin are affected by the the CGT and AAEMM strike.
Mooring/unmooring maneuvers at San Lorenzo (San Benito, Vicentin, Akzo Nobel, ACA) are affected due to the AAEMM strike.
Discharge and loading operations at all Argentine ports are exected to be affected by the strike called by SUPARA for 24, 25 & 31 July, and 1 August.
For information about operations in Argentina and elsewhere in the Americas, contact the GAC Hub Agency Centre at hub.us@gac.com
“Jo”
