Hot Port News from GAC

…Prior to the inauguration of the Expanded Canal on June 26, 2016, the monthly tonnage record was 30.4 million PC/UMS, which was set in October 2014.

Seven months after the beginning of operations, the Expanded Canal has already transited more than 750 Neopanamax vessels – more than 50 percent of which were container ships. In addition, the Expanded Canal has accommodated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, as well as bulk carriers, tankers and vehicle carriers.

In April 2017, the Expanded Canal will continue to impact world maritime trade with the passage of the first Neopanamax cruise vessel. Neopanamax passenger vessels are capable of transporting up to 4,000 passengers, nearly twice as many as the Panamax vessels able to transit the original locks.

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

Source: Extract from Panama Canal  Authority Monthly Canal Operations Summary – January 2017 dated February 9, 2017

Location (A)
22 deg. 20.295’N / 113 deg. 53.918’E

The acoustic monitor is an instrument for collecting dolphin data. It is a structure of pyramid shape with a height of about 0.8 metre and a square base of 1.0 metre by 1.0 metre.

Regular diving operations for retrieving data from and inspecting the acoustic monitor will be carried out by a work boat in the above location once every month. One guard boat will provide assistance.

The hours of works will be from 0700 to 1900 hours.

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 of the location at slow speed, bearing in mind that there are divers working in the location.

(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.21 of 2017

WORKS AREA 1
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22 deg. 16.292’N / 114 deg. 02.901’E
(B) 22 deg. 16.244’N / 114 deg. 02.919’E
(C) 22 deg. 16.233’N / 114 deg. 02.862’E
(D) 22 deg. 16.283’N / 114 deg. 02.852’E

WORKS AREA 2
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (E) to (H):
(E) 22 deg. 15.954’N / 114 deg. 03.042’E
(F) 22 deg. 15.854’N / 114 deg. 03.048’E
(G) 22 deg. 15.854’N / 114 deg. 03.040’E
(H) 22 deg. 15.952’N / 114 deg. 03.037’E

The works will be carried out by two work boats. A working area of approximately 25 metres will be established around the work boats. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the work boats.

3. A temporary water pipeline will be laid in Works Area 2. To secure the temporary water pipeline, some concrete blocks will be laid on the seabed within the Works Area 2. Each concrete block is a structure of cube shape with a height of 0.2 metres and a square base of 0.3 metres by 0.3 metres. Upon completion of the replacement works, the temporary water pipeline and concrete blocks will be removed from the Works Area 2.

The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will not stay in the works area outside the hours of work.

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 of the works areas at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the areas.

(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.23 of 2017

All port operations for berthing/unberthing vessels at Al-Jubail were suspended by the port authority from 0910 hours local time today (13 February) due to strong winds with speed up to 33knots.

For information about operations in Jubail contact GAC Saudi Arabia at jubail@gac.com