Hot Port News from GAC

14-Dec-2018

CANAL SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH PORT OF ITAQUI
Panama Canal, Panama

MARINE SOIL INVESTIGATION OFF OILTANKING TERMINAL
Singapore

Canal signs agreement with Port of Itaqui
Friday, December 14, 2018, Panama Canal, Panama

The Panama Canal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Port of Itaqui, located in the northeastern region of Brazil, to promote the shipment of grains and other cargoes in the commercial route between the north of Brazil through the Panama Canal to destinations located in the Pacific Ocean.

The Port of Itaqui, located in São Luís, Maranhão, is the Brazilian port closest to the Panama Canal and has the infrastructure and connectivity necessary to move these exports to markets in Asia. With this agreement, the Panama Canal looks to promote the use of the Panamax Locks for grain transits originating in northern Brazil and traveling to markets in Asia…

…The agreement will allow the Panama Canal and Port of Itaqui to conduct joint marketing activities and exchange market studies and information on trade flows to support modernization and improvement programs…

…The MOU’s signing comes at a time when Brazilian grain exporters are enjoying considerable increases in shipment volumes. From a Panama Canal traffic standpoint, dry bulk vessels transporting grains and other dry commodities accounted for roughly 22.2 percent of the waterway’s total oceangoing commercial transits during its fiscal year 2018, which covers the period from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018…

(For information about operations in Panama contact GAC Panama at alexei.oduber@gac.com)

Source: Extracts from Panama Canal Authority (www.pancanal.com) Press Release dated 10 December 2018

Marine soil investigation off Oiltanking Terminal
Friday, December 14, 2018, Singapore

From 17 December 2018 to 16 March 2019, marine soil investigation works will be carried out off Oiltanking Terminal.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.124 of 2018 dated 10 December 2018, the works will be conducted between 0800 and 2359 hours daily – including Sundays and Public Holidays – at the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
MBH 1) 01 deg. 17·351’N / 103 deg. 43·508’E
MBH 2) 01 deg. 17·355’N / 103 deg. 43·526’E

A spud barge, which is assisted by tug boats will be used to carry out the soil investigation work. A safety boat will be deployed to warn other craft in the vicinity of the working area.

Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.

When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 22 (Jurong Control);
and
e) Communicate with Jurong Control on VHF Channel 22 for assistance, if required.

For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com