Hot Port News from GAC

Due to the possibility of gale force winds (39-73mph) associated with Tropical depression 16 entering Port Mobile’s area of responsibility within 72 hours, the Captain of the Port yesterday (5 October) ordered Port Status WHISKEY for the entire Captain of the Port Zone Mobile.

Port Status WHISKEY was set at 0800 on 5 October for GICWW, Port of Panama City, Port of Pensacola, Port of Mobile, Port of Pascagoula and Port of Gulfport.

For further details and information about operations in the United States contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com

Maintenance dredging will take place commencing on or about 12 October through to approximately 30 November 2017. Dredging operations will be conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the following areas:

• South Channel
• Port of Melbourne and South East Spoil Grounds
• Station Pier Outer West
• Yarra River Services Protection (between Beacons 33/34 and 35/36)

The following vessels involved in the dredging campaign are: Brisbane (Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger), John Norgate (Survey vessel) and QUA (Work boat).

(For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com)

Source: Victorian Notice to Mariners No.252(T)-2017 dated 6 October 2017

Summary of changes and key points:

• The department is reviewing the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code of Conduct (Wheat Port Code) as required by regulation.
• The department invites you to provide feedback on the code by completing the online survey and/or making a written submission through the department’s stakeholder engagement platform Have your Say.
  An issues paper that provides background on the Wheat Port Code and poses some questions to bulk wheat exporters is also available on Have your Say.
• The department will arrange meetings with industry stakeholders to discuss their views. We are also available to meet with you in Canberra or to attend key industry events.
• Submissions close on 24 November 2017. The department will consider submissions before publishing a draft report and seeking further industry feedback in February 2018.

The Wheat Port Code regulates bulk wheat port terminal service providers to ensure bulk wheat exporters have fair and transparent access to port terminal services.

The Wheat Port Code replaced the ‘access test’ provisions of the Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008 after the repeal of the Act in 2014. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission enforces the code.

(For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com)

Source: Australian Government Department of Agriculture & Water Resources Export Industry Advise Notice 2017-39 dated 4 October 2017

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), launched an integrated platform that will streamline national maritime processes for vessels arriving to Panama beginning September 24, 2017. This system will reduce costs, optimize itineraries, and improve transparency and productivity, while providing substantial time savings to maritime customers taking advantage of Panama’s logistics offers.

Panama’s Maritime Single Window (VUMPA) is an online platform that will simplify and reduce the paperwork procedures required for international vessels arriving and departing Panama, as well as activities performed while at Panamanian terminals. Previously, vessels were required to complete a number of documents, such as registration forms and customs documents, for various entities, including ACP, AMP, Panama’s Customs Authority and Panama Immigration Services, among others. However, through VUMPA, shippers will now be able to input all required information through one simple digital system, eliminating duplicate forms and automating information sharing between Panamanian institutions involved in the logistics industry….

…The new system is the product of months of collaboration between the ACP and AMP, with support from national maritime entities…

…To date, the use of VUMPA has been approved for ships transiting the Panama Canal and calling on PSA Panama International Terminal, PATSA Petroamerica Terminal, and the Hutchison Ports at Cristóbal and Balboa, which account for 80 percent of international traffic at Panamanian ports. The platform will be integrated into the remaining Panamanian ports in the coming months.

The platform is available at http://www.vumpa.gob.pa.

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

Source: Extract from Panama Cabal Authority Monthly Canal Operations Summary – September 2017 dated 4 October 2017

The Port of Panama City and the GICWW east of Mile Marker 207 will remain at Port Condition Whiskey provided TS Nate continues on its current projected path.

Please visit the USCG Homeport website to obtain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile Severe Weather Contingency Port Plan.

For information about operations in the United States contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com