Dead ship tow
January 30, 2015, United States, Mobile, Alabama
There will be a dead ship tow of the SS BELLATRIX (950 feet length overall and 106 feet wide) from the Mobile sea buoy to the BAE Shipyard starting at approximately 0700 hours local time today (30 January).
The ship will be towed by the tug SIGNET LIGHTNING with assist tugs provided by Seabulk Towing and Crescent Towing. The transit will be made in daylight hours and should take 6 to 8 hours necessitating one-way traffic for that time.
The contact person for the operation is Mr. Michael Barrie and can be reached at (251) 421-5125.
The SS BELLATRIX and SIGNET LIGHTNING will have bar pilots onboard for the entire operation and will be standing by on VHF/FM channels 13 and 16.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Malaysian authorities recover hijacked tanker
January 30, 2015, Malaysia, all ports
A hijacked Malaysian coastal tanker has been recovered by the prompt actions of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) off the coast of Malaysia.
The owners of the Malaysian tanker lost contact with the tanker at 2200 hours on 28 January 2015. The tanker, with ten crew members on board and carrying 700 metric tonnes of marine fuel oil was off Tanjung Ayam at the Southern entrance to the South China Sea.
Fearing that the vessel may have been hijacked, MMEA requested the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre to track and provide the position of the vessel. MMEA then deployed a number of vessels in the area and finally located the tanker, in the South China Sea about 35 nautical miles north east of the location of the hijack.
The vessel was then under control of nine pirates. Further to an engagement by the MMEA, at 2300 hours on 29 January 2015, seven of the pirates were arrested. Two of them jumped overboard. The IMB PRC sent out a broadcast to all ships to lookout and rescue the two pirates. Another merchant vessel subsequently picked the pirates and handed them over to the MMEA. The crew of the hijacked tanker were rescued and reported unhurt. The vessel is proceeding to a safe destination for further investigations.
Since April 2014 there have been 16 vessels hijacked in South East Asia of which eleven vessels were coastal product tankers hijacked in the Southern approaches to the South China Sea.
“We commend the Malaysian authorities for their immediate response to the reported hijacking. The arrest of all the pirates involved is exactly the kind of response needed to bring this crime under control, ” said an IMB spokesperson….
(For information about operations in Malaysia contact GAC-Kudrat Maritime Malaysia at gac-kudrat.malaysia@gac.com)
Source: International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau (IMB) release dated 30 January 2015
Working hours during Chinese New Year Holiday
January 30, 2015, Hong Kong, all ports
The Central Marine Office on 3/F., Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong will be opened from 0900 hours to 1100 hours on Saturday, 21 February 2015 for entry and outward clearance of all vessels. The enquiry telephone number of Central Marine Office is 2852 3082.
All Public Cargo Working Areas will be closed from 1700 hours on Wednesday, 18 February 2015 and open for normal operation at 1200 hours on Saturday, 21 February 2015.
(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.13 of 2015
New Post-Panamax cranes
January 30, 2015, Australia, Adelaide
South Australia’s container terminal operator, Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal, has welcomed the arrival of two new Post-Panamax Liebherr cranes as part of the terminal’s strategic plan.
The ship-to-shore cranes, ordered in January 2014, are 65 metres high and capable of reaching heights of 105 metres with the boom raised. They represent a $24 million investment for Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal, and are due to be deployed for active service in April 2015 following a rigorous commissioning process.
It is expected that vessel turn-around times at the facility will ultimately become up to 25% faster than at present due to the new cranes.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Bad weather outlook for Turkish Straits and ports
January 30, 2015, Turkey, Turkish Straits
Bad weather is forecast for the Turkish Straits and ports over the next five days. Port operations, in particular husbandry matters, will be performed subject to weather permitting.
For information about operations in Turkey contact GAC Turkey 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”
