09-Apr-2019
PORT LIMITS SUSPENSION
Singapore
PROHIBITED ANCHORING OUTSIDE DESIGNATED ANCHORAGES
Singapore
SEISMIC EXPLORATION
Marmara Sea, Turkey
RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL FIRE AT ITC DEER PARK, UPPER HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL (UPDATE)
Houston, United States
Port limits suspension
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port Limits – Suspension) Notification 2019 that came into operation on 8 April 2019 at 0001hours.
This circular suspends the effect of Port Marine Circular No. 09 of 2018 pending an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of Malaysia on the maritime boundary delimitation in the area surrounding the Johore Bahru port limits off Tanjung Piai and Singapore port limits off Tuas which is yet to be agreed upon by the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore under the Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore to Delimit Precisely the Territorial Waters Boundary in Accordance with the Straits Settlements and Johore Territorial Waters Agreement 1927 done at Singapore on 7 August 1995.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.06 of 2019 dated 8 April 2019
Prohibited anchoring outside designated anchorages
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has published Port Marine Circular (PMC) No. 06 of 2019 to inform ship masters, owners, and agents of vessels of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port Limits – Suspension) Notification 2019 that came into operation on 08 April 2019 at 0001hours.
Anchoring in all areas outside the designated anchorages is strictly prohibited. Pursuant to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations, offenders whose vessels are anchored outside the designated anchorages may, upon conviction, be liable for fines of up to $20,000 and $2,000 for every day or part of a day that the offence continues after conviction.
This circular suspends the effect of Port Marine Circular No. 11 of 2018 pending an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Singapore and the Government of Malaysia on the maritime boundary delimitation in the area surrounding the Johore Bahru port limits off Tanjung Piai and Singapore port limits off Tuas which is yet to be agreed upon by the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore under the Agreement between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore to Delimit Precisely the Territorial Waters Boundary in Accordance with the Straits Settlements and Johore Territorial Waters Agreement 1927 done at Singapore on 7 August 1995.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.08 of 2019 dated 8 April 2019
Seismic exploration
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Marmara Sea, Turkey
Seismic exploration is being conducted by the M/V Oruç Reis, M/V Ataman and M/V Cengiz Han until 15 July in the Marmara Sea, in the area bounded by the following coordinates:
40 deg. 31.12 N’ / 028 deg. 26.97’E
40 deg. 36.94 N’ / 028 deg. 26.97’E
40 deg. 36.93 N’ / 028 deg. 29.05’E
40 deg. 47.83 N’ / 028 deg. 29.32’E
40 deg. 46.25 N’ / 027 deg. 44.48’E
40 deg. 38.93 N’ / 027 deg. 44.40’E
40 deg. 34.92 N’ / 028 deg. 00.10’E
40 deg. 31.42 N’ / 028 deg. 00.03’E
It is dangerous to navigate in exploration area. For safe navigation, it is strongly recommended to use the temporary two-way route bounded by a line connecting the following geographical positions:
Kuzey Hat / North Line Seyhidda Denizcilere Bildiri Numarasi : 0451/19
40 deg. 55.00 N’ / 028 deg. 43.30’E Turnhos N/W : 0451/19
40 deg. 52.50 N’ / 027 deg. 45.00’E
40 deg. 46.10 N’ / 027 deg. 34.90’E
Orta Hat / Center Line
40 deg. 52.90 N’ / 028 deg. 51.80’E
40 deg. 50.00 N’ / 027 deg. 44.50’E
40 deg. 45.00 N’ / 027 deg. 36.50’E
Güney Hat / South Line
40 deg. 50.30 N’ / 028 deg. 51.80’E
40 deg. 47.50 N’ / 027 deg. 44.50’E
40 deg. 40.60 N’ / 027 deg. 33.20’E
For further details and information about operations in Turkey contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Response to chemical fire at ITC Deer Park, Upper Houston Ship Channel (update)
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Houston, United States
Upper Houston Ship Channel remains open 24/7 for inbound traffic and open for outbound ship traffic movements into the contaminated zone between 0800-1730 managed by VTS Houston/Galveston… …Inbound night-time vessel traffic will be managed by the VTS through the contaminated zone.
San Jacinto River is open for 24-hour vessel traffic as managed by VTS Houston/Galveston.
Old River has established a decontamination site and is currently open to “outbound traffic only” once the vessels have undergone decontamination… …Recovery operations continue within this area.
Carpenter’s Bayou has established a decontamination site and is currently open to “outbound traffic only” once the vessels have undergone decontamination… …Recovery operations within this area were suspended due to the adverse conditions.
Jacintoport has established a decontamination site and will remain closed until clean-up efforts are complete with the area…
The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port is working in close coordination with EPA, TCEQ, Harris County, ITC, and the contracted toxicology companies to evaluate any resulting impacts to the Houston Ship Channel.
If at any time a safety risk to operations on the Houston Ship Channel becomes evident, the Captain of the Port will take action to ensure safety for port operations and mariners on the waterways. Facilities and employees should continue to follow any direction provided by the County officials.
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Extracts from Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston Marine Safety Information Bulletin 18-19 dated 7 April 2019
