Hot Port News from GAC

QUOTE…
The lock chamber walls are springing up: about 7.5 metres of them are being built each day. In the ground, the first 120 metres of a total of 1,650 metres of diaphragm wall have been completed. The new lock will be 500 metres long and the lock wall in the direction of the Middle Lock is to be constructed in the same way.

The cofferdam of the lock gate chamber of the inner lock head has been drained. The cofferdam of the outer lock head will follow at the end of the month. The concreting works, i.e. the construction of the caissons, will start as soon as the cofferdams have been drained.

Entrance to the North Lock
Pontoons with cranes have been placed on both sides of the entrance to the North Lock. A combi wall is now being built on the north side while the cofferdam for the new inner lock head is being constructed on the south side. Due to the construction of these two walls, the entrance to the North Lock can remain symmetrical.

Traffic disruption at the lock complex
OpenIJ [the building contractor] has come upon an old 65-metre long sheet pile wall dating from the last century. This sheet pile wall forms an obstacle and has to be removed. As a result of this, motorists using the route across the lock complex must be prepared for traffic disruption. During the works, there will be one way alternate traffic flows across the outer lock gate of the North Lock. If the outer gate has to be opened to let ships pass through the lock, road traffic can – to a very limited extent only – make use of the inner gate.

Rijkswaterstaat, therefore, has advised motorized traffic not destined for the lock complex itself to avoid the route across the locks and use the Velsertunnel instead. Bicycles and motorcycles, however, will always be able to get across the North Lock.

Opening of SHIP
SHIP, the Lock and Port Information Centre, will open its doors by the end of this month. SHIP will offer its visitors a unique insight into the construction of the world’s largest sea lock. From 31 March, the Visitor Centre will be open every day. Please consult the website ship-info.nl for more information.
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For further details and information about operations in the Netherlands, contact GAC Netherlands at agency.netherlands@gac.com

Customs have also cancelled all previous registered Method of Payment Guarantee Letters against all importers.

The only exception will be when Saudi Customs believe a shipment has been under-declared. In such cases they will request a proof of payment to validate the declared value of the shipment.

This rule applies to all modes of transport (Road, Sea and Air) and to all clearance locations (Land borders, Airports and Sea Ports) in Saudi Arabia.

For information about operations in Saudi Arabia contact GAC Saudi Arabia at shipping.saudi@gac.com