Hot Port News from GAC
10-Feb-2020
CHANNEL REOPENED
Corpus Christi, United States
TONNAGE & GOODS RATES
Cork, Ireland
ADJUSTED PILOTAGE & TOWAGE COSTS
Kumai, Indonesia
SPECIAL WORK ARRANGEMENTS
Hong Kong
DREDGING AT BLACK POINT POWER STATION
Hong Kong
ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATIONS TO FRESH WATER SURCHARGE, TRANSIT RESERVATION (BOOKING) SYSTEM & TRANSIT ITINERARY CREATION FEE
Panama Canal, Panama
Channel reopened
Monday, February 10, 2020, Corpus Christi, United States
The craft which sank in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel has been removed. After a survey was conducted to ensure there was no other equipment remaining on the bottom, the Captain of the Port lifted the safety zone and the channel was reopened.
For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
Tonnage & goods rates
Monday, February 10, 2020, Cork, Ireland
The Port of Cork has published its schedules of tonnage and good rates for the year 2020.
For details of the rates, as well as information about operations in Ireland, contact GAC Ireland at ireland@gac.com
Adjusted pilotage & towage costs
Monday, February 10, 2020, Kumai, Indonesia
New pilotage and towage costs have been announced for the port of Kumai in Central Kalimantan.
For details of the new tariffs, as well as information about operations in Indonesia, contact PT Andhika GAC at shipping.indonesia@gac.com
Special work arrangements
Monday, February 10, 2020, Hong Kong
In light of the novel coronavirus infection, the following Hong Kong SAR Marine Department services, except at the Central Marine Office, are suspended until further notice:
licensing and port formalities services at the Yau Ma Tei Marine Office, Tuen Mun Marine Office, Sai Kung Marine Office, Tai Po Marine Office, Aberdeen Marine Office, Cheung Chau Marine Office and Shau Kei Wan Marine Office
seafarers’ examination and certification services
mercantile marine services
local vessel surveying services as well as its enquiry services
For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com
Dredging at Black Point Power Station
Monday, February 10, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately one month, dredging operations [are being] 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 [are being] carried out by one grab dredger. Two split hopper barges and two tugboats [are assisting] 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 [is] established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights and radar reflectors [are] laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the dredger.
A silt curtain, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, [is] established beside the dredger in enclosing the grab.
The hours of work [are] round-the-clock.
Vessels engaged in the operations 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
Additional clarifications to Fresh Water Surcharge, Transit Reservation (Booking) System & Transit Itinerary Creation Fee
Monday, February 10, 2020, Panama Canal, Panama
In response to inquiries raised by customers regarding the recent changes announced by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) in Advisories to Shipping A-2-2020, and A-3-2020, the following additional information is provided:
FRESH WATER SURCHARGE
For vessels transiting as dead tows or as integrated tug & barge combinations (ITB), the Fresh Water Surcharge will be applied to the unit or units that exceed 38.1 meters (125 feet) in length overall (LOA). If neither unit of the tug and tow exceeds 38.1 meters (125 feet) LOA individually, but the combined unit exceeds 38.1 meters (125 feet) LOA (either fully integrated, with the tug pushing in the notch, towing on the hawser, on the hip, or any other arrangement), then the surcharge will be applied to the unit with the greater LOA.
PAYMENT OF TRANSIT RESERVATION (BOOKING) SYSTEM FEES
Slots awarded during Booking Periods 1, 1.a, and 2, including the special period for passenger vessels, and that are subsequently voided due to non-compliance with the establishment of the guarantee within the 48 hour required period, will be offered through a special competition in the same manner as those slots that become available due to cancellations.
TRANSIT ITINERARY CREATION FEE
The handling service fee to create a transit itinerary will only be applied to vessels over 38.1 meters (125 feet) LOA. For dead tows and integrated tug & barge combinations (ITB), the Transit Itinerary Creation Fee will be applied to the units that exceed 38.1 meters (125 feet). If neither unit of the tug and tow exceeds 38.1 meters (125 feet) LOA, the payment of the Transit Itinerary Creation Fee will not be required.
GATUN WATER LEVEL INDICATOR
A tool that provides information for the calculation of the Fresh Water Surcharge, including a 60-day rolling forecast of Gatun Lake levels is available at: http://www.pancanal.com/eng/h2o/GatunWaterLevelIndicator.html
ESTIMATED COSTS FOR TOLLS AND MARITIME SERVICES (PROFORMA)
The Panama Maritime Single Window System (VUMPA) has been updated to include the new Fresh Water Surcharge and the Transit Itinerary Creation Fee, which is available under Customer Service, the Estimate Costs for Tolls and Maritime Services (Proforma) section.
(For information about operations in Panama, contact GAC Panama at operations.panama@gac.com)
Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory To Shipping No. A-06-2020 dated 7 February 2020
