Pilot boarding suspended
June 16, 2015, United States, Corpus Christi, Texas
Pilots are no longer be boarding vessels at Corpus Christi from 0825 today (16 June) due to high winds and rough seas.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Tropical Storm Bill (16 June 2015)
June 16, 2015, United States, Houston, Texas
Tropical Storm Bill is moving onshore and the National Weather Service reports that the main brunt of the storm will hit closer to Matagorda Bay than Galveston, however the Houston region will still get a lot of moisture, wind, and elevated tide levels.
Offshore, we are currently seeing sea states with 11-12 foot swells which should drop off to 9-10 feet later this evening.
The Army Corps of Engineers expects significant water runoff due to the previous round of flooding as well as a substantial increase in shoaling. For the most recent USACE hydrographic surveys, please go to www.swg.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/HydrographicSurveys/GalvestonTexasCityHouston.aspx.
The Galveston District is already making preparations for increased surveys this week and dredging contracts to begin clearing the backlog.
USCG Sector H-G Waterways Management reports that as of 2245 yesterday, due to the limited availability of search-and-rescue assets, there is a federal safety zone in place between Matagorda and Galveston which prohibits offshore transfer operations as well as the use of small crafts. This safety zone is in addition to Port Condition Whisky which also precludes offshore transfer operations.
The Houston Pilots currently have 15 ships waiting to come in and 17 waiting to sail however do not anticipate movements resuming until Thursday morning 18JUN15 due to the weather conditions.
The Galveston-Texas City Pilots and Brazos Pilots are also not moving due to the conditions and are monitoring the sea states and working with stakeholders.
VTS Port Arthur reports that the Sabine Pilots stopped moving vessels at 1515 yesterday but anticipate that the sea state (currently at 6 ft) will recede enough to begin movements later this afternoon/evening.
With the anticipated additional 24 hour break in traffic in Houston, the PCT will meet again tomorrow morning at 0900. If you have a priority movement, please contact your PCT representative.
(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com)
Source: Greater Houston Port Bureau update 16 June 2015
Abu Dhabi ports working hours during Ramadan
June 16, 2015, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Ports working hours from the first day of Ramadan are as follows:
IFTAR AND SUHOOR BREAK
Iftar – 18:30-21:30 hours
Suhoor – 03:30-04:30 hours
All ports operations will cease.
Vessels berthing and unberthing will continue.
ZAYED & MUSAFFAH PORT
Documentation Department: 08:00-17:30 hours (17:00 Saturday)
Vessel Operation: 07:00-13:00 hours (Normal shift) / 13:00-07:00 hours (Overtime)
Delivery & Yard: 07:00-13:00 hours (Normal shift) / 13:00-21:00 hours (Overtime) / 21:00-03:00 hours (Normal shift) / 03:00-07:00 hours (Overtime)
Cold Store: 07:00-13:00 hours (Normal shift) / 13:00-19:00 hours (Overtime)
FREE PORTS
Port Operations & Documentation Department: 24 hours on duty (Iftar break 18:30-19:30 hours)
MARINE SERVICES
All AD Ports: Marine services will be charges at 1.5 times during Iftar and Suhoor
KHALIFA PORT (NON-CONTAINER BUSINESS)
Documentation: 08:00-16:00 hours (Sunday to Thursday) / 08:00-15:00 hours (every Saturday)
General Cargo & RORO Terminal: 07:00-13:00 hours (Normal shift) / 13:00-07:00 hours (Overtime)
CFS Operation: 07:00-13:00 hours (Normal shift) / 13:00-07:00 hours (Overtime)
Please note that all services provided during overtime hours will be charged in accordance to overtime rates as listed in the Port Tariff.
[NOTE: Indicatively, Ramadan is due to start on 18 June, subject to the sighting of the moon]
(For information about operations in Abu Dhabi, contact GAC Abu Dhabi at abudhabi@gac.com)
Source: Abu Dhabi Ports notice dated 16 June 2015
Deployment of acoustic doppler current profiler
June 16, 2015, Singapore, Singapore
From 17 June to 8 July, work boats will be used to deploy the acoustic doppler current profiler near Pulau Semakau, Pulau Sudong, Sisters’ Islands and Southern Islands.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.68 of 2015, the works will be carried out from 0900 to 1700 hours daily – including Sundays – within the working area at the following deployment locations (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01 deg. 13.650’N / 103 deg. 50.540’E
2) 01 deg. 13.370’N / 103 deg. 51.650’E
3) 01 deg. 13.000’N / 103 deg. 51.180’E
4) 01 deg. 12.830’N / 103 deg. 49.900’E
5) 01 deg. 12.700’N / 103 deg. 50.200’E
6) 01 deg. 11.110’N / 103 deg. 56.900’E
7) 01 deg. 12.780’N / 103 deg. 43.920’E
8) 01 deg. 12.510’N / 103 deg. 47.080’E
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working areas, mariners are reminded to:
a) Keep well clear of the deployment locations ;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 12 & 68 (East Control & West Control respectively);
and
e) Communicate with East Control and West Control on VHF Channel 12 & 68 respectively for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@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”
