Hot Port News from GAC
26-Aug-2019
PILOTS PROPOSE RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR COMING DECADE
Sabine, United States
AMENDMENTS TO RULES REGULATING MARITIME TRAFFIC SCHEME
Turkish Straits, Turkey
Pilots propose rate adjustments for coming decade
Monday, August 26, 2019, Sabine, United States
The Sabine Pilots have applied for a rate adjustment of pilot rates, fees and charges for the Neches and Sabine Rivers and bars, passes, channel and tributaries thereof, commencing on January 1, 2020 which will increase each year for the next 10 years.
They propose adjustments for the first five years as follows:
– 5.5% increase effective 1 January 2020
– 4.9% increase effective 1 January 2021
– 4.75% increase effective 1 January 2022
– 4.5% increase effective 1 January 2023
– 4.25% increase effective 1 January 2024
Full details of the proposal can be found at http://www.wgma.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Sabine-Pilots-Proposed-Tariff-Adjustment-August-2019.pdf.
A hearing has been requested to approve their proposal on 26 September. Further details will be provided when available.
For information about operations in the United States contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
Amendments to rules regulating Maritime Traffic Scheme
Monday, August 26, 2019, Turkish Straits, Turkey
Updates to the ‘Maritime Traffic Regulation for the Turkish Straits’ have amended the ‘Instruction for The Implementation of the Rules Regulating the Turkish Straits Maritime Traffic Scheme’, as follows:
Article 5, 4th paragraph relating to vessels that have lost technical capability/seaworthiness
BEFORE – under these circumstances that vessels will use the pilotage service to continue their sailing in the strait without the commission decision
AFTER – under these circumstances that vessels use the pilotage service and/or together with the appropriate tug/s assistance to continue their sailing in the strait without the commission decision
Article 13, 3rd paragraph
Adding ‘’the Safe Speed’’ implementation with the subparagraph (C) of the 3rd paragraph of article 13 – considering with the article 6 of (COLREG 72) to determine the safe speed application in compliance with the oceanographic structure, currents, weather condition, traffic congestion in the Turkish Straits. (Especially at Bosphorus from North to South because of having currents) under this condition the safe speed can be decided and applied to the vessels in case of taking the passage assistance in their transit passage at the strait and needs a mutual decision among the Pilot, Master and VTS supervisor before implementing the safe speed.
Article 19
Changed from ‘’Meeting Place with The Agent’’ (for supply operation) to ‘’Meeting Place with The Strait pilot’’ (Embarking and Disembarking) according to this regulation, meeting place for the pilotage service may change subject to the adverse weather condition and the mutual agreement between master of the vessel and pilot.
No change on transiting issue for LNG carriers at Bosphorus and remains unchanged in this article. (subparagraph (Ç) of the first paragraph of Article 8 ) – passage condition will be decided by the authorized of the administration if found suitable by them.
For further details and information about operations in the Turkish Straits, contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
