Lock-gate damage inspection completed, repairs to follow
January 21, 2015, Germany, Kiel Canal
Kiel Canal Authorities have announced that the inspection of the damaged lock-gate at Brunsbuettel has been completed.
The anticipated time period for repairs to be carried out is about 2-3 weeks. Some delays may be experienced during this period.
(For information about operations in Germany contact the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger, Germany – GAC agent
Fog persists at Gulf ports
January 21, 2015, United States, Houston, Texas
Dense fog is expected to persist until 1100 hours local time today (21 January), and the ports of Houston, Galveston and Corpus Christi have been closed since yesterday evening.
At the time of reporting, Freeport was open.
There are areas of dense sea fog mainly in the bays and nearshore waters should persist this morning. Expect northeast to east winds to develop this morning and strengthen during the day. Caution level winds will be reached tonight, and advisories will be needed beginning Thursday afternoon or Thursday night as seas continue to build and winds shift to the north as a storm system and associated rains along with possible thunderstorms move across the area. Some gale force wind gusts could develop late Thursday afternoon through early Friday afternoon. North to northwest winds Friday night and on into Saturday will weaken, and lighter northwest to west winds will prevail over the weekend.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Contingency plans for anchorage congestion
January 21, 2015, United States, Los Angeles, California
The Vessel Traffic Service of Los Angeles & Long Beach has advised of contingency plans in the case that all the ports’ anchorages fill up.
Contingency Anchorages will be opened up if all the Regular Anchorages become fully occupied. If these also fill up, pre-planned Drift Boxes offshore – which were used during the congestion experienced at the ports in 2004 – will be made available.
This comes after U.S. West Coast marine terminals’ announcement that they would suspend vessel operations to concentrate on clearing containers from the dangerously congested facilities. Marine terminals continue to experience severe congestion, which the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) says is a result of on-going International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) slowdowns.
Contract negotiations between the PMA and ILWU – now in their ninth month – continue to drag on despite the involvement of a federal mediator.
For further details and information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
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“Jo”
