Hot Port News from GAC

1) Crude Oil Tankers coming from ports of the US Gulf, Caribbean area heading to:
a) Ports West of Indian subcontinent starting from Karachi to Cochin shall be granted   a reduction of 45% of the Suez Canal normal tolls.
b) Ports located East of Cochin shall be granted a reduction of 75% of Suez Canal normal tolls.

2) Crude Oil Tankers coming from ports of Latin America Starting from Colombia (San Andres Island- Latitude 12o 34′ 40” N) and its south heading to:
a) Ports West of Indian subcontinent starting from Karachi to Cochin shall be granted reduction of 65% of the Suez Canal normal tolls.
b) Ports located East of Cochin shall be granted a reduction of 75% of Suez Canal normal tolls.

Conditions of applying the Circular:

1. Any operating company wishing to benefit from this circular must submit a request through its shipping agency before sailing from the origin port. The request must state: vessel’s particulars, origin port and destination port, ETA to the Suez Canal and vessel’s condition.
2. The vessel must not call any intermediate ports during its voyage between origin port and destination port for commercial purposes. In case the vessel called any intermediate ports for none commercial purposes a certificate issued by the port authority or other competent authorities will be required stating the reason of calling.
3. Full normal Suez Canal transit tolls to be paid upon transit and the rebate amount will be refunded after submitting all the required documents within one calendar year starts the following day of transit.
4. Required documents to refund the rebate amount:
   a) “Origin port” certificate from the last port that the vessel sailed from stating the departure date, quantity of cargo in metric tons and type of cargo on departure duly signed & stamped by the port authority or other competent authorities.
   b) “Destination port” certificate from the first port of arrival stating the arrival date, quantity of cargo in metric tons and type of cargo on arrival duly signed and stamped by the port authority or other competent authorities.
   c) “Principals Claim” requesting to refund the rebate amount stating the circular number, port of origin and sailing date, destination port and arrival date, transit date and a clear disclaimer that the vessel has not called any intermediate ports for commercial purposes.
5. Failing to submit all the required documents in due time or breaching any of the circular conditions will lead to the cancellation of the rebate previously granted to the vessel.

This circular takes effect for vessels sailing from port of origin as of January 1,2018 till Dec.31, 2018.

(For information about operations in the Suez Canal contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com)

Source: Suez Canal Authority Circular No.1/2018 dated 9 January 2018

This phase of the demolition will entail hot work and periodic crane operations at a maximum of 130 ft inside the navigable channel. The contractor will have a spotter monitoring VHF-FM Channel 13 in order to facilitate the suspension of hot work during vessel transits underneath the bridge.

The Arthur Kill will not be closed to navigation and crane barges will MOVE ON DEMAND or when directed to move by Vessel Traffic Service New York during this phase of the project. Two hours’ notice is required to move the crane barges.

The Suspended Span will be lowered to barges in the center of the navigable channel over a 36-hour period in January 2018. This lowering operation will result in a 36-hour maximum closure of the navigable channel. The tentative, revised time frame for this 36-hour channel closure is TENTATIVELY scheduled for the following dates:

Primary: 0600 on Saturday, Jan 13th to 1800 on Sunday Jan 14th. Vessels will not be able to transit between Morses Creek (south of the Goethals Bridge) and the Arthur Kill Railroad Bridge (north of the Goethals Bridge) during these times.

Vessel Traffic Service NY (VTSNY) will be establishing a VTS Measure enforcing a No Meeting/No Overtaking Zone as the main span is transported from the Goethals Bridge site to Berth 36 at Port Newark. The transit time is fluid and may be impacted by onscene wind speeds. This transit is tentatively scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 13th, from approximately 1800-2359. VTSNY will provide updates once the final transit times are established.

From January 2018 through June 2018 the Cantilevered Span on each side of the navigable channel will be dismantled via crane barge. Dismantling operations will take place first on the New Jersey side of the waterway, then transition to the New York side of the waterway. Barge placement will be a maximum of 155 ft inside the navigable channel on the New Jersey side of the waterway, and 265 ft inside the navigable channel on the New York side of the waterway. The Arthur Kill will not be closed to navigation and crane barges will MOVE ON DEMAND or when directed to move by Vessel Traffic Service New York during this phase of the project. Two hours’ notice is required to move the crane barges. While vessels will move on demand when requested to promote safe navigation in the area, mariners are reminded that excessive movement requests that do not increase safe navigation may result in the bridge demolition operation taking longer than expected to finish.

During demolition operations, the Coast Guard will actively monitor the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) currently in effect to enhance navigation and vessel safety for vessels transiting between Port Ivory on Elizabethport Reach and the Grasselli High Wires, north of Pralls Island, on Pralls Island Reach. Further modifications may be made based upon conditions in the project area.

a. Direct Passage/Speed: Any vessel transiting through the RNA must make a direct passage. No vessel may stop, moor, anchor or loiter within the RNA at any time unless they are working on the Goethals Bridge demolition or construction projects, or arriving to/departing from their facility berthing areas within the RNA. Movement within the RNA is subject to a ‘‘Slow-No Wake’’ speed limit. All vessels may not produce a wake and may not attain speeds greater than five (5) knots unless a higher minimum speed is necessary to maintain bare steerage.

b. No Meeting or Overtaking: Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) users are prohibited from meeting or overtaking other vessels when transiting alongside an active work area where crane operations are being conducted.

c. Channel Closure: The channel will be closed for a maximum of 36 hours during the lowering of Suspended Span to barges in the center of the navigable channel. Persons and vessels may request permission to enter the RNA by contacting the COTP or the COTP’s on-scene representative at VTS New York on VHF CH 12 or 14 or via the VTS New York Watch Supervisor phone at 718-354-4088.

d. Additional Restrictions: Any vessels transiting in the RNA must comply with all directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP’s on-scene representative. The on scene representative is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been designated by the COTP to act on the COTP’s behalf. The on-scene representative may be on a Coast Guard vessel; or other designated craft; or on shore and communicating with a VTS New York Watchstander or vessels via VHF-FM radio or loudhailer.

e. Other Regulations: All other relevant regulations, including but not limited to the Rules of the Road, as codified in 33 CFR Subchapter E, Inland Navigational Rules, remain in effect within the RNA and must be strictly followed at all times.

The contractor will provide a weekly schedule that will be updated daily to VTS New York, and notify VTS New York two hours in advance of any intended barge movements impacting the navigable channel. VTS New York will continually assess conditions in the bridge demolition zone and surrounding areas and may make further changes to navigation restrictions as necessary. Such changes will be disseminated by VTSNY, safety broadcasts, or publication online at https://homeport.uscg.mil/port-directory/new-york > Coast Guard Prevention > Waterway Management.

(For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)

Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector New York, Advisory Notice (CGAN 2017-009) Waterways Management Division Revision No: 8, dated 9 January 2018

As of 0500 WST this morning (10 January), the Tropical Low (09U) was in position 16.6S 123.3E some 350 NM North East of Port Hedland and continues its Westerly movement over the north Kimberley coast. It is expected to move out into open water over the next 6 hours and form into a cyclone late Wednesday or early Thursday.  The slower than forecast movement has delayed the likely onset of GALES at Port Hedland until Friday morning at this stage.

The system is still expected to rapidly intensify and the current forecast track retains guidance of a coastal crossing as a Category 3 system in the vicinity of 80 Mile Beach on Friday.

The Port expects to move to PREPARE stage later this afternoon with a potential port evacuation commencing early tomorrow (Thursday 11 January).

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

Severe weather warning signage has been placed at the Entrance Point boat ramps closing the ramps to recreational users. The public access walkway along the jetty neck is also closed.

The Port’s radio will be un-attended during this period.

ln an emergency, please contact the Harbourmaster on 0429-121-875

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

Source: Kimberley Ports Authority Local Marine Notice No.04-2018 dated 10 January 2018

This is an extension of the original discount period of 2015-2017.

For further details and information about operations at Finnish ports, contact GAC Finland at shipping.finland@gac.com