Scuttling Run and barge movement
April 27, 2015, Angola, Soyo
During a planned scuttling run from 23 April till 30 April (or earlier/later dates as appropriate) barge NP 328 will leave PERRO NEGRO 6 wreck location. During the absence, the location will be marked with the buoys.
Several buoys are stored in 500m radius of position 06o 04.2S; 012o 11.6E. Buoys on the outside are outfitted with a light.
Mariners are advised to exercise caution particularly when navigating in vicinity of this area.
Up-to-date information on all port operations is available through Soyo Port Control on VHF Channel 11.
(For information about operations in Angola contact GAC Angola at angola@gac.com)
Source: Soyo Maritime Authority Safety Notice No.07/2015
Channel closure due to fog
April 27, 2015, United States, Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi pilots stopped boarding vessels at at 1910 hours yesterday (26 April) due to dense fog.
The Aransas Corpus Christi Pilots will resume boarding vessels for outbound traffic at 0945 today (27 April).
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Marine Works at Kai Tak Approach Channel
April 27, 2015, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For approximately 4 months, marine works involving installation of two outfalls and reinstatement of seawall will be carried out [at Kai Tak Approach Channel] 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. 18.789’N / 114 deg. 12.659’E
(B) 22 deg. 18.758’N / 114 deg. 12.626’E
(C) 22 deg. 18.937’N / 114 deg. 12.426’E
(D) 22 deg. 18.969’N / 114 deg. 12.459’E
The works will be carried out by one derrick lighter and one tug.
A working area of approximately 15 metres around the lighter will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the lighter.
The hours of works 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 area outside the hours of work.
Silt curtains will be established within the works area. Yellow markers fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt curtains.
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.61 of 2015
Port status update (27 April)
April 27, 2015, Australia, Newcastle
The Hunter River remains in flood, and may remain so for some weeks. The river has been declared in fresh by Newcastle Harbour Master with some restrictions on vessel movements.
Based on previous flood events, as the flood waters start to recede considerable siltation is expected and therefore loss of depth in the channel and berths. The situation will become clearer through this week.
Meanwhile, the port will continue to operate, but with some loading impact on larger vessels anticipated. Additional resources have been put into a hydrographic survey and dredging to start to deal with the anticipated loss of depth. This situation is likely to primarily affect Capesize vessels.
The dredge has been operating in known flood siltation areas since last Wednesday (22 April), and Newcastle Port Corporation is orking with the Harbour Master on the dredging priorities for navigational safety.
The situation will continue to be assessed and updates given as appropriate.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Planned industrial action cancelled
April 27, 2015, Australia, Port Botany
Industrial action by Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) members on board pilot cutters operated by the Port Authority from Port Jackson and Port Botany on 28 & 29 April has been cancelled.
This comes after the Port Authority of New South Wales signed an in-principle agreement today (27 April), following negotiations with the MUA and the Australian Maritime Officers Union (AMOU) over a replacement Enterprise Agreement for its Sydney workforce which have ongoing since March 2014. The agreement covers all of the outstanding issues and brings the negotiations to a close.
The Port Authority of New South Wales now looks forward to returning to ‘business as usual’ with immediate effect.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@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”
