Hot Port News from GAC
07-Feb-2020
SENDING OF MARITIME HEALTH DECLARATION
Bahrain
HEALTH CONTROL MEASURES AT SEA ENTRANCE PORTS & THE TURKISH STRAITS
Turkey
MINISTRY OF HEALTH MEASURES
Malaysia
SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMIEN
North West Australia
DREDGING AT THE BLACK POINT POWER STATION
Hong Kong
MARINE WORKS OFF PAK MONG, LANTAU ISLAND
Hong Kong
CORONAVIRUS MEASURES UPDATE (7 FEBRUARY)
Australia
GARBAGE & SEWAGE FROM VESSELS THAT HAVE CALLED CHINA OR FAR EAST
Visakhapatnam, India
Sending of maritime health declaration
Friday, February 7, 2020, Bahrain
As per the latest directive from the Port Authority, vessels calling at Bahrain must:
1) declare if any of their seafarers or passengers on board been to China during the last 14 days, and
2) send all completed Maritime Health Declaration and China Outbreak Health Declaration Cards,
by email through their agent to the country’s Ports and Maritime Affairs and Ministry of Health within 72 hours of arrival.
For more details and information about operations in Bahrain, contact GAC Bahrain at bahrain@gac.com
Health control measures at sea entrance ports & the Turkish Straits
Friday, February 7, 2020, Turkey
Turkey has implemented health control measures at sea entrance points and in the Turkish straits in order to prevent the possible entry of the 2019-nCov to the country.
MEASURES AT SEA ENTRY POINTS
Crews of ships that have which has sailed to countries and ports where the 2019-nCov infection is present should make as little contact with land as possible. Contact with sick people should be avoided in these ports, and health centers should not be visited unless in the case of absolute. Contact with wild animals and pets should be avoided and hand hygiene should be taken care of.
If passengers or crew on ships arriving at Turkish ports from a foreign port show signs of 2019-nCov infection (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath), they should be placed I the in the ship’s infirmary or in isolation in a separate cabin. The situation should be reported to the Telehealth Center (212 444 83 53) and action taken in accordance with instructions.
All health procedures applied are in accordance with the Public Health General Directorate 2019 nCov Disease Health Care Workers guide. If passengers or crew presenting symptoms are judged to be a possible 2019-nCov, the necessary procedures will be carried out in coordination by contacting the Health Directorates for the transfer of the case to the designated hospital. Passengers and crew of such vessels must be accepted from certain gates within the port as close to passport checkpoints as possible and, if possible, the air circulation on the route through which these passengers pass must be increased.
For possible cases, medical and other public institution personnel who come into contact with such persons should use a medical mask during contact and after contact hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used in cases without soap or water.
For ship passengers and crew flying to the countries and ports where the 2019-nCov infection is observed who become ill while in Turkey, non-Turkish citizens should first report their status to their country’s representative, stating that they are from a risk area, through their representative’s office. Turkish citizens should contact 112 emergency health services directly and indicate that they have come from a risk area.
MEASURES IN THE TURKISH STRAITS
Ships arriving from foreign ports to transit the Turkish Straits, going to a foreign port or wanting to go to a Turkish port by free transit, can request a pilot in the Turkish Straits, conduct personnel exchange, patient transfers, repairs through contact with land .
Ships from foreign ports should send the Marine Health Notice electronically to https://www.hssgm.gov.tr/onlineislemler/DenizSaglikBildirimiGiris.aspx or to the relevant Health Inspection Center at rumelifeneri@hssgm.gov.tr (for the Bosphorus) or rumelifeneri@hssgm.gov.tr (for Canakkale) before entering the Turkish Straits. Vessels that cannot send the Marine Health Notification electronically should give these notifications to the medics during the health check at the entrance of the Bosphorus.
The ship crew list, ship passenger list, ship cargo manifest and ship tonnage certificate should be given to the relevant medical personnel in full during sanitation check.
The Maritime Health Notice made by the ship is meticulously examined to carry out the risk assessment to assess if the vessel can take a guide captain, to conduct personnel exchange, and if patient extraction and land contact may be allowed.
If the risk assessment determines there is a public health threat on board, ship traffic services will be informed and the guide captain who boards the ship will do so using personal protective equipment medical masks and gloves.
If 2019- nCov is on board, passengers or crew matching the possible case description may be requested to be removed from the vessel and transferred to the appropriate hospital.
The Ministry of Public Health has prepared a ‘2019-nCov Disease Health Care Workers’ Guide’ available for download at https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/yayinlarimiz.html
For further details and updates, or information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Ministry of Health measures
Friday, February 7, 2020, Malaysia
Following the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has taken precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease in Malaysia by conducting health screening at all International Entry Points, including related ports and ports.
Agents/vessel must declare to the authorities at least 72 hours before arrival of the vessel the last 10 ports of call, crew list and Maritime Declaration of Health.
If the vessel is arriving from China or other affected countries (Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan) or any recent voyages to Chinese ports, vessel will be placed under quarantine and need to be cleared by Port Health authorities at designated quarantine anchorage.
Once the vessel is cleared by the quarantine authorities and free pratique is grated, berthing application of vessel can be submitted.
Further, the following precautions are to be taken:
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as appropriate mouth covering, use hand sanitizer and wear disposable gloves when working in port / jetty area.
Report to the Port Health Office if there are port / jetty / port users / boat crews (mainly from China) who have outbreaks such as cough, colds and difficulty breathing.
Report the arrival of any ship whose last port was in China to the Port Health Office for further action.
For more information on preventive measures to prevent the spread of this outbreak, consult your nearest Port Health Office.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Malaysia, contact GAC Malaysia at shipping.malaysia@gac.com
Severe Tropical Cyclone Damien
Friday, February 7, 2020, North West Australia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Damien is expected to cause gales on the Pilbara coast this evening (7 February) or overnight. Destructive winds to commence on the coast during Saturday morning.
Warning Zone: Wallal Downs to Mardie, including Port Hedland, Karratha, Dampier, Pannawonica and Barrow Island.
Watch Zone: Mardie to Onslow, and the inland central Pilbara including Paraburdoo, Marble Bar, Nullagine, Tom Price, Newman and Mt Augustus.
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 km per hour with wind gusts to 165 km per hour.
Location: within 55 km of 17.9 deg. South 117.2 deg. East, estimated to be 305 km north northwest of Port Hedland and 315 km north of Karratha.
Movement: west southwest at 8 km per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Damien is now a Category 3 system, and is expected to continue to intensify as it turns towards the coast.
Gales are forecast to develop along the Pilbara coast between Wallal Downs and Mardie including Port Hedland, Karratha and Dampier from as early as Friday evening. DESTRUCTIVE winds with wind gusts to 150 km per hour are likely to develop during Saturday morning as the cyclone approaches the coast.
VERY DESTRUCTIVE winds with gusts to 230 km per hour are expected near the cyclone centre as it crosses the coast on Saturday.
If the cyclone tracks further to the west then gales may develop during Saturday between Mardie and Onslow.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Dredging at the Black Point Power Station
Friday, February 7, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately one month, dredging operations will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (F) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 24.584’N / 113 deg. 54.240’E
(B) 22 deg. 24.662’N / 113 deg. 54.151’E
(C) 22 deg. 24.746’N / 113 deg. 54.237’E
(D) 22 deg. 24.726’N / 113 deg. 54.293’E
(E) 22 deg. 24.900’N / 113 deg. 54.473’E
(F) 22 deg. 24.850’N / 113 deg. 54.530’E
The works will be carried out by one grab dredger. Two split hopper barges and two tugboats will assist in the works. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 100 metres around the dredger will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights and radar reflectors will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the dredger.
A silt curtain, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established beside the dredger in enclosing the grab.
The hours of work will be round-the-clock.
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.25/2020 dated 6 February 2020
Marine works off Pak Mong, Lantau Island
Friday, February 7, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 6 months, marine works involving construction of cofferdam and ground investigation will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 17.995’N / 113 deg. 58.147’E
(B) 22 deg. 18.101’N / 113 deg. 58.149’E
(C) 22 deg. 18.220’N / 113 deg. 58.351’E
(D) 22 deg. 18.170’N / 113 deg. 58.536’E
The works will be carried out by one crane barge, one backhoe barge and two jack-up barges. One tugboat and one work boat will provide assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 50 metres will be established around each working vessel. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the working vessels.
Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the corners of the jack-up barges to indicate the positions of the jack-up barges.
The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for 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.26/2020 dated 6 February 2020
Coronavirus measures update (7 February)
Friday, February 7, 2020, Australia
Further updates to measures being taken locally to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus at ports throughout Australia:
QUEENSLAND
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ ) have issued a direction in regards to all ships that left, or transited through mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 and that intends to enter a Queensland pilotage area.
The ship must not enter a Queensland pilotage area until 14 days have elapsed since the ship’s departure from mainland China on or after 1 February 2020. (To remove any doubt, this means for example that a ship which departed mainland China on 1 February 2020 may not enter a Queensland pilotage area until 15 February 2020 and a ship that departed mainland China on 3 February 2020 may not enter a Queensland pilotage area until 17 February 2020).
MACKAY
Ships crew to wear gloves during vessel mooring and unmooring activities (Handling of heaving lines)
Australian Border Force Mackay have issued the following advice:
“In the Maritime space there is currently no change to ABF operating and reporting procedures for merchant vessel activity in relation to the Coronavirus matter.
There are however, mechanisms that have been put in place by Queensland State Government authorities, including the requirement for vessels to report extra information to VTS. The Australian Government is currently reviewing the Maritime space in order to determine how best to monitor and manage the Coronavirus threat.
Any change to procedures will be disseminated as the information becomes available.”
PORT KEMBLA
Department of Agriculture Port Kembla have advised: no-one departing mainland China on or after 1 Feb 2020 will be permitted entry unless they meet certain citizenship or familial criteria. This includes crew, supernumeraries and other travellers. Day trippers and crew exchanges will not be permitted.
Any traveller that departed mainland China on or before 31 January will undergo current screening processes, with Dept. of Health information being provided on arrival. We continue to monitor all vessel arrivals into port.
TASMANIAN PORTS
All ships departing China must have passed a 14 day period before they can berth at a Tasmanian Port. 24 hours prior to the scheduled arrival time, Shipping Agents will be requested to provide the following to TasPorts VTS:
Has the vessel come direct from China? If not, have any of the crew come from China or transited through China within the previous 14 days?
Has the Master of the vessel been monitoring crew health and checking for flu or fever like symptoms?
If so, how has the monitoring been undertaken and recorded? (eg: if daily temperature checks have been undertaken, has this been recorded in a log?).
Do any crew have any signs of illness of any kind?
Has the vessel submitted a biosecurity declaration? Agents are to provide TasPorts VTS with a copy of this declaration.
If there are signs of illness, what measures have been applied on board to contain any illness?
ESPERANCE
All foreign trading ships scheduled to arrive at Southern Ports – Port of Esperance are to provide the following information to the Harbour Master/Pilot (2 hours prior to embarking a Pilot) until further notice;
Report if any Crew Member or Passenger has visited China in the past 14 days; If less than 14 days then the crew or passenger are to remain on board whilst in port i.e. 14 days self-isolation similar to the attached advice.
Report if any Crew Member or Passenger is showing any of the Novel Coronavirus symptoms that include fever, flu-like symptoms cough, sore throat, headache or difficulty breathing.
If the answer is yes, the State and Federal agencies will be notified. Any such ships will either be directed back to sea, or proceed to anchor until assessed and cleared by appropriate government qualified personnel Standard procedures remain in place for managing maritime crew and travellers should they display symptoms of illness prior to, or on arrival, into Australia, through Federal pre-arrival reporting mechanisms.
DAMPIER
Woodside – All vessels are requested to confirm Last Port of call, Time and date of receival of your Biosecurity Status Document (declaration of Free Pratique) status from Australian Department of Agriculture which gives your vessel approval to berth and If any of your crew have developed fever, cold or flu symptoms which will may change your Biosecurity Status.
If vessel has travelled from mainland China within the past 14 days, we recommend that all crew do not take “shore leave” during Port Stay. Exceptions to the above recommendation is for any crew member who requires urgent medical treatment and/or are being repatriated as part of a crew change (subject to any applicable government restrictions)
DARWIN
Harbour Control Officers (HCO) shall require all foreign trading ships scheduled to arrive at Darwin port to provide the following information (2 hours prior to embarking a Pilot) until further notice;
1) has left or transited through mainland China on or after 1 February 2020;
2) Report if any Crew Member is unwell.
If answers to both of the above questions are NO, the HCO shall then inform all parties including; Marine Pilots, Pilot Boat Crew and the ships Agent of the clear declaration. If the answer is YES to either question, the HCO shall immediately inform the GMO or DOM for direction on appropriate action. The GMO/DOM will make the appropriate notifications to the Territory and Federal agencies for further advice. Any such ships will either be directed back to sea or proceed to anchor until assessed and cleared by appropriate government qualified personnel.
Inpex terminal – self-assessment form to be completed, signed and dated by the Master of vessels intending to load at the FPSO Ichthys Venturer and Bladin Point Marine Terminals. This should accompany the 96hr arrival notification. Vessel has been categorised into three risk levels with corresponding actions.
Low Risk – Vessel has not visited an ‘at risk’ port within 15 days prior to arrival, and no crew members are currently presenting symptoms. Actions: Shore leave and crew change permittred at the discretion of terminal personnel. Personnel boarding vessel are advised to use hand sanitisers and practice good hygiene. No other restrictions apply.
Potential Risk – Vessel has visited an ‘at risk’ port within 15 days prior to arrival, but no crew members are presenting symptoms. Actions: Restrict number of personnel boarding vessel. Do not permit shore leave or crew change. Personnel required to board the vessel are to wear required PPE.
High Risk – Vessel has visited an ‘at risk’ port within 15 days prior to arrival. One or more crew members are presenting with symptoms. Actions: Contact Commonwealth, State/Territory Department of Agriculture and Health for advice and permission to berth. If vessel is permitted to berth, apply the following actions. Briefed personnel on risks and mitigation actions before they board the vessel. Restrict number of personnel boarding vessel. Do not permit shore leave or crew change. Personnel required to board the vessel are to wear required PPE.
Vopak– It is requested that a crew list of people who are from or have been to the province of Hubei or affected areas in recent times is supplied. In addition, the following is to be complied with:
Minimal interaction with the crew
Cargo handling plan / safety meeting with the C/O to be held ashore in our CCR at the BLB.
Repetitive checks either onshore or verbal – and signed off upon completion of cargo.
Vessel sign-off to be ashore in our CCR.
All persons to be wearing P2 masks/ surgical type gloves when interacting with ship personnel.
Disinfectant solution will be available for washing hands thereafter
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Garbage & sewage from vessels that have called China or Far East
Friday, February 7, 2020, Visakhapatnam, India
Clearing of garbage and sewage from vessels that have called from Chinese ports or any port in the Far East countries within the last 30 days is hereby suspended at Visakhapatnam Port with immediate effective, as a precautionary measure against the spread of Novel Corona virus.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Visakhapatnam Port Trust Trade Circular No.1215 dated 7 February 2020
