Hot Port News from GAC

A working area of approximately 50 metres around the barge will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the barge.

The hours of work will be round the clock.

Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work.

Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.

Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the area.

(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com)

Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No. 47 of 2016 dated 26 April 2016

• The inauguration of the expanded Panama Canal will take place on June 26, 2016. Only one Neopanamax vessel in a southbound direction will be allowed to transit on the inaugural day during daylight hours. Regular commercial transits through the new locks will begin on June 27, 2016.
• The inaugural transit will be allocated among the top 15 Panama Canal customers, in accordance with the customer ranking used for bookings as of April 2016…
• …The ACP has sent letters to its customers with the highest ranking inviting them to participate in the draw for the selection of the shipping line that will deploy the first vessel through the new locks. In the event that an invited customer declines its participation, ACP may send an invitation to the next customers on the list…
• …A customer who has been invited and is interested in participating must indicate the name, vessel type and dimensions (length and beam) of the Neopanamax vessel(s) that it proposes to deploy on the inaugural day. The confirmation of willingness to participate must be submitted before 0900 hours on April 28, 2016.
• The proposed vessel shall have a beam not greater than 49 meters and a length overall not greater than 366 meters. Gas carriers will not be considered for the inaugural transit for security reasons. The maximum draft allowed will be 12.5 meters Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).
• The draw will take place at 0900 hours non April 29, 2016, on the 1^st floor of the Panama Canal Administration Building located in Balboa Heights…
• …The winner of the draw is required to pay all costs associated with the inaugural transit including booking fees and related marine services…

(For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com)

Source:  Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-20-2016 dated April 22, 2016

WORKING AREA A
1) 01 deg. 18.689’N / 103 deg. 57.547’E
2) 01 deg. 18.940’N / 103 deg. 58.183’E
3) 01 deg. 18.303’N / 103 deg. 58.422’E
4) 01 deg. 18.298’N / 103 deg. 57.678’E

WORKING AREA B
5) 01 deg. 18.622’N / 104 deg. 00.392’E
6) 01 deg. 18.337’N / 104 deg. 00.712’E
7) 01 deg. 18.448’N / 104 deg. 00.916’E
8) 01 deg. 18.744’N / 104 deg. 00.591’E

WORKING AREA C
9) 01 deg. 18.034’N / 104 deg. 01.647’E
10) 01 deg. 17.367’N / 104 deg. 02.774’E
11) 01 deg. 17.104’N / 104 deg. 02.609’E
12) 01 deg. 17.760’N / 104 deg. 01.504’E

The underwater inspection will be carried out by a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) tethered to the survey boat. The ROV will be launched and recovered by the survey boat.

Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day signal.

When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 (East Control);
and
e) Communicate with East Control on VHF Channel 12 for assistance, if required.

For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com

The suspension will apply until the security condition of the area is conducive.

Meanwhile, vessels sailing to the Philippines are urged to exercise increased vigilance. Master/Owners of Indonesian-flagged vessels sailing to/from or passing the Philippines are encouraged to prepare and stamped statement letter. While in Philippines water, supervision and vigilance should be increased in line with the provisions of the ISPS Code.

For further details and information about operations in Indonesia contact PT Andhika GAC Indonesia atshipping.indonesia@gac.com