Vessel boardings suspended due to fog
December 19, 2014, United States, Houston, Texas
Houston Pilots suspended all vessel boardings at 1510 hours local time yesterday (Thursday, 18 December) due to fog.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Dredging at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal 7
December 19, 2014, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For approximately 2 weeks, dredging operations will be carried out [at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal 7] 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. 19.816’N / 114 deg. 07.992’E
(B) 22 deg. 19.790’N / 114 deg. 08.000’E
(C) 22 deg. 19.668’N / 114 deg. 07.584’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.694’N / 114 deg. 07.575’E
The works will be carried out by a grab dredger. Two tug boats, four hopper barges and one motor survey boat will assist in the works. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 50 metres around the grab dredger will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the grab dredger.
The hours of works will be round-the-clock.
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.162 of 2014
New coal terminal recommended for approval
December 19, 2014, Australia, Newcastle
A $5 billion new coal loading terminal in the Port of Newcastle has been recommended for approval.
The fourth coal export in Newcastle, known as T4, will expand capacity at the world’s largest coal export port by another 70 million tonnes per annum.
In recommending the project was approvable, the Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) review for T4 acknowledged that world demand for coal has softened and that there is no immediate need for the new terminal until around 2023. It recommended a five-year approval period, rather than 10 years, and will also require that a biodiversity offset area at Tomago is successfully attracting migratory shorebirds prior to construction.
The PAC review is now due to go back to the planning department for further consideration.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Bosphorus closure for work on bridge
December 19, 2014, Turkey, Turkish Straits
The Bosphorus will be closed to all transit traffic in both directions tomorrow (20 December), from 06:00 to 15:00 hours,
due to works on 3rd Bosphorus Bridge.
Masters of vessels trading must act in line with VTS instructions and take all related precautions.
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
GAC is a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services dedicated to helping customers achieve their strategic goals at the highest levels of quality, safety and compliance.
“Jo”
