10-Nov-2015
| VESSEL BACKLOG Panama Canal, Panama |
| DREDGING OPERATIONS IN NIM WAN, DEEP BAY Hong Kong |
| ESTABLISHMENT OF SILT CURTAINS Hong Kong |
| Vessel backlog |
| Tuesday, November 10, 2015, Panama Canal, Panama |
| The Panama Canal continues to experience high vessel backlog.This is attributed to several reasons, such as:* INCREASED ARRIVAL OF LARGE AND DEEP DRAFT VESSELS: These larger vessels and those with deeper drafts, besides having more restrictions than small, light draft vesse;s, require more time to transit the locks, thus reducing the total number of vessels that may be scheduled for transit in a day. The average percentage of “supers” transiting per day has increased to more than 74% as of October 2014.
* WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES AND LOW GATUN LAKE LEVELS DUE TO EL NINO PHENOMENON: Gatun Lake, which supplies water for Canal operations, not only has bad water levels below what is expected for the entire current year 2015, but has also registered some of the lowest levels, not seen since the beginning of Canal operations in 1914. Although the lake level is presently rising, the current levels are still more than three feet below the average for this time of the year. An effect of the low level of Gatun Lake is also an increased lockage process time. * FOD AT THE CANAL: Although fog is not uncommon for this time of the year, it can negatively impact transit operations. During the past month of October 2015, the transits of 107 vessels were delayed due to episodes of fog. The Panama Canal has implemented several measures to reduce the number of vessels awaiting transit, such as: Despite all these measures, the in-transit time (currently averaging 12.233 hours), the number of vessels awaiting transit, and the waiting time for many of these vessels have not been reduced to acceptable levels. Although there have been three vessels that had 11 days of waiting time, 96% of vessels have waited eight or less days for transit, and 36% of those have waited four or less days. The usual waiting time for “regular” non-booked vessels does not normally exceed three days, while for non-booked “supers” it may reach higher levels. A temporary suspension of the following booking slots will be implemented until an acceptable level of waiting time is reached: In accordance with the rules governing the Transit Reservation System, and in addition to Condition 1.a already in effect, these measures will be implemented beginning on booking date November 12, 2015. The Canal is currently monitoring the situation and analysing all possible measures that would help bring the backlog to normal levels. (For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac. Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-35-2015 dated 8 November 2015 |
| Dredging Operations in Nim Wan, Deep Bay |
| Tuesday, November 10, 2015, Hong Kong |
| For approximately 5 months, dredging operations will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS84 Datum) from (A) to (I) and the adjacent shoreline: (A) 22 deg. 25.438’N / 113 deg. 55.764’E (B) 22 deg. 25.430’N / 113 deg. 55.671’E (C) 22 deg. 25.506’N / 113 deg. 55.645’E (D) 22 deg. 25.560’N / 113 deg. 55.816’E (E) 22 deg. 25.550’N / 113 deg. 55.951’E (F) 22 deg. 25.605’N / 113 deg. 56.111’E (G) 22 deg. 25.639’N / 113 deg. 56.098’E (H) 22 deg. 25.668’N / 113 deg. 56.197’E (I) 22 deg. 25.599’N / 113 deg. 56.230’EThe works will be carried out by one grab dredger and one derrick lighter. Two hopper barges, some tugs and some work boats will provide assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.A working area of approximately 60 metres around each working vessel will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the working vessels. The hours of work will be round-the-clock. A silt curtain will be established within the works area. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. 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.157 of 2015 |
| Establishment of silt curtains |
| Tuesday, November 10, 2015, Hong Kong |
| With immediate effect and for a period of approximately 38 months, five silt curtains will be established in the following areas:TSIM SHA TSUISilt Curtain 1: This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline: (A) 22 deg. 17.779’N / 114 deg. 10.637’E (B) 22 deg. 17.775’N / 114 deg. 10.640’E (C) 22 deg. 17.763’N / 114 deg. 10.626’E (D) 22 deg. 17.767’N / 114 deg. 10.623’E Silt Curtain 2: This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (E) to (H) and the adjacent shoreline: Silt Curtain 3: This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (I) to (L) and the adjacent shoreline: TAI WAN SHAN Silt Curtain 4: This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (M) to (P) and the adjacent shoreline: QUARRY BAY Silt Curtain 5: This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (Q) to (T) and the adjacent shoreline: Each silt curtain will be established near seawater intake with two ends fixed on vertical seawall. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. 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.158 of 2015 |
