Hot Port News from GAC
07-Aug-2019
RESTRICTION ON VESSELS IN EASTERN ANCHORAGE DEMARCATED AREA & OFF MARINA BARRAGE
Singapore
MAXIMUM DRAUGHT FOR TRANSITING BULK CARRIERS & TANKERS
Torres Strait, Australia
LOCK CHAMBER CLOSURE
Kiel Canal, Germany
Restriction on vessels in Eastern Anchorage demarcated area & off Marina Barrage
Wednesday, August 7, 2019, Singapore
The Port Master hereby restricts all vessels from transiting, anchoring or remaining in the demarcated area at the Eastern Anchorages and off Marina Barrage on Friday, 09 Aug 2019 from 1500hrs to 2200hrs.
The demarcated areas are bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
AREA AT THE EASTERN ANCHORAGES
1) 01 deg. 15.500’N / 103 deg. 52.500’E
2) 01 deg. 15.500’N / 103 deg. 53.500’E
3) 01 deg. 14.500’N / 103 deg. 53.500’E
4) 01 deg. 14.500’N / 103 deg. 52.500’E
AREA OFF MARINA BARRAGE
1) 01 deg. 17.786’N / 103 deg. 54.095’E
2) 01 deg. 17.450’N / 103 deg. 54.390’E
3) 01 deg. 15.960’N / 103 deg. 52.570’E
4) 01 deg. 16.447’N / 103 deg. 52.084’E
Vessels currently anchored within the demarcated areas are required to relocate to an alternate anchorage as directed by the Port Master, by 09 Aug 2019, 0001hrs.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.073 of 2019 dated 5 August 2019
Maximum draught for transiting bulk carriers & tankers
Wednesday, August 7, 2019, Torres Strait, Australia
Following successful trials over the year on increasing the maximum draft up to 12.5m in the Torres Strait, AMSA [Australian Maritime Safety Authority] has issued the attached exemption to Marine Order 54.
BULK CARRIERS AND TANKERS
AMSA Exemption 2019/03 allows AMSA-licensed Coastal Pilots to navigate Bulk Carriers or Tankers through Torres Strait with a maximum draught up to 12.5 metres, using the Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) System, as set out in in Marine Order 54 – Coastal pilotage 2014 (MO54).
These changes to the maximum allowable draught have come about following a trial carried out in collaboration with the UKCM system vendor (OMC International) and Rio Tinto. The trial showed that at certain times of the year, due to favourable tidal conditions, the prevailing high waters allow for some deeper-draught vessels with a full-form hull to safely transit through Torres Strait, in full compliance with MO54.
When planning the voyage, Masters must accept that delays may be caused by the tidal window becoming unavailable due to changing weather conditions. We recommend that Masters liaise closely with pilotage providers when planning a passage through Torres Strait.
CONTAINER VESSELS
A similar trial in collaboration with OMC International and Maersk is currently underway to determine whether vessels with fine-form hulls (typically container vessels), can also safely pass through Torres Strait at certain times of the year. If the trial determines that these vessels can safety transit, MO54 will be amended and industry notified accordingly.
EXISTING MO54 EXEMPTIONS
The following exemptions have been repealed and included in the Exemption 2019/3:
• Marine Order 54 (UKCM system compulsory usage draught limit) Exemption 2018 (No. 5); This Exemption allows AMSA-licensed Coastal Pilots not to use the UKCM System for vessels with a draught less than 9.0 metres;
• Marine Order 54 (Torres Strait UKCM system draught regime trial) Exemption 2019 (No. 2); This exemption allows AMSA-licensed Coastal Pilots to pilot Container Vessels participating in the trial to transit with draughts of up to 12.5 metres.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Lock chamber closure
Wednesday, August 7, 2019, Kiel Canal, Germany
The Kiel Canal Authority has announced that one big new lock chamber at Kiel locks is closed for maintenance works until 27 September.
During this time only one big lock chamber will be in operation.
(For information about operations in Germany, contact GAC’s 24/7 Port on Demand Team at POD@gac.com)
Source: Sartori & Berger, Germany – GAC agent
