Temprary blockage of Canal traffic
July 28, 2014, Germany, Kiel Canal
Due to engine black-out, a container feeder vessel touched the Kiel Canal embankment this morning (28 July) and is blocking traffic between sidings Konigsforde and Audorf-Rade.
Canal traffic was unblocked at 15:00 hours local time.
(For information about operations in Germany contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger – GAC agent
Control of Dark Smoke Emission from Vessels
July 28, 2014, Hong Kong, all ports
Amendments to the Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313) and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (Cap. 548) to enhance the control of dark smoke emission from vessels have been gazetted on 18 July 2014 and come into immediate effect.
The details are set out as follows:-
Shipping and Port Control Ordinance (Cap. 313)
Pursuant to the amended Section 50 of Cap. 313, it is an offence for any vessel in the waters of Hong Kong to emit dark smoke which is as dark as, or darker than, Shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart for 3 minutes or more continuously at any one time. In case of contravention, the owner of the vessel, his agent and the master each commits an offence and is liable to a fine of HK$25, 000 for a first conviction, and to a fine of HK$50, 000 for any subsequent conviction.
Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) Ordinance (Cap. 548)
Pursuant to the amended Section 51 of Cap. 548, it is an offence for any local vessel in the waters of Hong Kong to emit dark smoke which is as dark as, or darker than, Shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart for 3 minutes or more continuously at any one time. In case of contravention, the owner of the vessel, his agent and the coxswain each commits an offence and is liable to a fine of HK$10, 000 for a first conviction, and to a fine of HK$25, 000 for any subsequent conviction.
If an authorized officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the provision for dark smoke emission has been contravened in relation to a local vessel, the officer may direct the owner or coxswain of the vessel, to deliver the vessel, within the time and at the place specified in the direction, to the Director of Marine for ascertaining whether dark smoke emits from the vessel. A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with the aforementioned direction commits an offence and is liable to a fine of HK$5, 000.
Masters/coxswains, owners, agents and operators are required to observe the new requirements and to exercise due diligence to maintain the engine and fuel system onboard their vessels in good conditions so as to avoid excessive dark smoke emission.
(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.92 of 2014
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