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Hot Port News from GAC

by admin
07-Mar-2018

SVITZER ANNOUNCE INCREASES IN TARIFFS
Australia
APPROACHING WINTER STORM
Northern New England, United States
SEAWALL REINSTATEMENT WORKS AT TSEUNG KWAN O
Hong Kong
MARINE SITE INVESTIGATION EAST OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Hong Kong
SPILLWAY COMING INTO OPERATION
Mississippi River, United States
SPILLWAY OPENING
Mississippi River, United States
Svitzer announce increases in tariffs
Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Australia
Following its annual review, Svitzer has announced the following increase from 1 April 2018 in the public tariffs for towage and lines/mooring:

Albany:
Tariff adjustment: 1.9%

Ardrossan:
Tariff adjustment: 2.3%

Brisbane:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Eden:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Fremantle & Kwinana:
Tariff adjustment: 1.96%

Kwinana Lines:
Tariff adjustment: 1.96%

Geelong:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Geraldton:
Tariff adjustment: 0%

Melbourne:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Newcastle:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Newcastle Lines:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Port Adelaide:
Tariff adjustment: 2.3%

Port Bonython:
Tariff adjustment: 2.3%

Port Botany:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Port Giles:
Tariff adjustment: 2.3%

Port Jackson:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Port Jackson (Gore Cove):
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Port Kembla:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Port Kembla Lines:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

Port Pirie:
Tariff adjustment: 2.3%

Westernport:
Tariff adjustment: 2.9%

This list is not exhaustive, but provides guidance for the relevant ports.

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

Approaching winter storm
Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Northern New England, United States
We are tracking another significant coastal storm that is set to impact Northern New England Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. The most recent National Weather Service predictions indicate that sustained wind could reach 45 knots offshore in the Gulf of Maine with seas up to 23 feet, and 30 knots along the coast, with 12-21 foot seas. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow and near blizzard conditions, significantly reducing visibility.

Given the damage from the storm earlier this week, flooding and beach erosion is still possible despite lower astronomical tides and storms urge.

The ports in the Northern New England Captain of the Port Zone remain open to all traffic. However, we strongly recommend the following precautions in advance of the storm:

  1. Pleasure craft and fishing vessels are advised to seek safe refuge.
  2. Ferry operators should evaluate their ability to operate in the pending conditions and take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
  3. Anticipate that drawbridge operations may be restricted due to high winds and safety concerns.
  4. All self-propelled oceangoing vessels over 500 gross tons and all barges and their supporting tugs should consider the requirements include in the Remaining in Port checklist. While this checklist is primarily used for an approaching hurricane, it can prove useful for any heavy weather event.
  5. Facility managers should review communications procedures, operations manuals and/or heavy weather plans, and consider lowering the height of container stacks.
  6. Adjust transfer operations as necessary based on the environmental conditions.

All vessel, facilities and maritime stakeholders should continue to monitor the weather forecasts for changing conditions. Coast Guard personnel may be reaching out directly to facility and vessel representatives to determine the intent of vessel movements and cargo operations over the next 24-48 hours. Following the passage of the storm, vessels and facilities should conduct damage assessments and report any damage to the COTP. IN the event of significant damage, vessels and facilities may be prevented from receiving cargo or passengers until approved by the COTP…

…any vessel casualties, pollution, or any incidents that may affect the navigable waterways of Maine and New Hampshire should be reported to the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England Command Center via VHF channels 16 or 22, or via phone at (207) 767-03030.

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

Source: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, Marine Safety Information Bulletin 05-18 dated 6 March 2018  

Seawall reinstatement works at Tseung Kwan O
Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Hong Kong
For approximately 2 months, seawall reinstatement works will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 18.077’N / 114 deg. 15.777’E
(B) 22 deg. 18.044’N / 114 deg. 15.777’E
(C) 22 deg. 18.044’N / 114 deg. 15.684’E
(D) 22 deg. 18.077’N / 114 deg. 15.684’EThe works will be carried out by one derrick lighter. One tugboat and one crane boat will provide assistance.A working area of approximately 15 metres around the lighter will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the lighter.

The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed in the works will stay in the works area outside 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.

(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.33 of 2018 dated 6 March 2018

Marine site investigation east of Hong Kong International Airport
Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Hong Kong
For approximately one week, marine site investigation works involving the drilling of boreholes will be carried at the following works locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22 deg. 19.008’N / 113 deg. 56.688’E
(B) 22 deg. 18.980’N / 113 deg. 56.777’EThe works will be carried out by one jack-up platform. One tugboat will provide assistance.Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the corners of the jack-up platform to indicate the position of the platform.

The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed in the works will stay in the works area outside 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.

(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.34 of 2018 dated 7 March 2018

Spillway coming into operation
Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Mississippi River, United States
Beginning on 8 March 2018 and continuing until further notice, the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway, located on the Left Descending Ban k (LDB) of the Mississippi River, in the vicinity of mile 128.0 Above Head of Passes (AHP), or approximately 1.6 miles above Goodhope Landing, Louisiana, will be placed in operation.

All vessels, particularly heavy loaded tows passing the site, are directed to steer a course sufficiently toward the opposite or Right Descending Bank (RDB) to avoid possible crosscurrents or drawdown resulting from water being diverted through the Spillway and flowing toward and into Lake Pontchartrain.

The M/V KENT will be stationed on the Left Descending Bank just north of the Spillway to monitor marine traffic on VHF marine channels 16 and 67. Should an incident occur between the Spillway and Mississippi River mile 140 Above Head of Passes (AHP) involving an adrift vessel, barge, etc., the attending vessel or any other vessel in the vicinity should immediately report the incident to the M/V KENT.

Terminal operators and fleet owners with facilities above Bonnet Carre’ Spillway should exercise every precaution to properly secure moored or anchored vessels, especially fleets of barges, to ensure that they do not break adrift as a result of increased velocities with the opening of this structure.

Vessels operation in Lake Pontchartrain ion the vicinity of the discharge area are cautioned to be on the lookout for possible logs or stumps which may be deposited into the lake due to the operations and should give that area a wide berth.

Additionally, in order to protect persons and vessels from potential safety hazards, all recreational vessels and personal watercraft are to remain clear of the discharge area, including areas upstream and in the vicinity of the railroad trestle an Interstate 10 Bridge.

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

Source: Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, Navigation Bulletin No.18-37 dated 5 March 2018

Spillway opening
Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Mississippi River, United States
Effective at 1000 on Wednesday, 7 March 2018, vessels shall not enter the Bonnet Carre Anchorage or the area extending 600 feet into the river from the Bonnet Carre Spillway, between MM 127 and MM 129 and the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain (located between 39 deg. 4’30.6N., 90 deg. 24’6.6W and 30 deg. 3’20.9N and 90 deg. 22’18.9W).

This VTS Measure will remain in effect as long as the Bonnet Carre Spillway remains open. All vessels are prohibited from entering this area without permission from the Captain of the Port of New Orleans or designated representative.

There may be unexpected crosscurrent or eddies that occur due to the water being diverted from the river into the spillway. Mariners are reminded to exercise due caution and stay towards the Right Descending Bank (RDB) while navigating through the area…

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

Source: Extract from United States Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Marine Safety Information Bulletin Volume XVIII Issue 015 dated 6 March 2018

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