Hot Port News from GAC
12-Feb-2020
TRANSIT DUES FOR 2020
Suez Canal, Egypt
NEW FORMAT FOR SEA CARGO MANIFESTS
India
AMENDMENT OF FREQUENCY RANGE(S) IN SHIP STATION LICENCE
Singapore
LONGER WAITING TIMES
Kiel Canal, Germany
REPLACEMENT OF FENDERS
Mumbai, India
SUSPENSION OF LANDING PERMITS/SHORE PASSES
India
OIL PIER READY TO HANDLE SMALL TANKERS
Karachi, Pakistan
WHO FORMALLY NAMES VIRUS
Worldwide
DORSCON ORANGE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR SHIPPING COMMUNITY
Singapore
Transit dues for 2020
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Suez Canal, Egypt
The Suez Canal Authority has announced that normal transit dues shall remain unchanged for the year 2020, except for the following two vessel types:
DRY BULK VESSELS:
5% increase of the normal transit dues for the year 2020 than that of 2019.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) CARRIERS:
5% increase of the normal transit dues for the year 2020 than that of 2019.
This comes into effect from 1 April 2020.
The transit dues rates schedule shall be segregated according to the vessels’ types.
For information about operations in the Suez Canal, contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com
New format for sea cargo manifests
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, India
Sending/filing of sea cargo manifests in India is due to switch to a new format from 16 February.
The Customs authorities at various locations have been working aggressively towards this new development. Steamer Agent Registration procedures in the new system is reaching its final stages and stakeholders have been told to comply with the pending registration formalities, if any, without any further delay.
It is understood that trial runs and internal testing of the new system have almost been completed. It looks likely that it will come into force with a tag that both old and new versions will have to be tested for a few weeks before the old version is withdrawn.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations at Indian ports, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Amendment of frequency range(s) in Ship Station Licence
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Singapore
The Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) has issued a circular on the amendment of frequency range(s) for Ship Station Licence, effective from 15 February 2020.
On that date, the existing range from 450-470 MHz indicated in the Ship Station licence will be amended to the specific frequency range from 457.5125-457.6000 MHz with maximum power of 2 Werp.
For further details, and information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Longer waiting times
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Kiel Canal, Germany
Due to stormy weather conditions, high water and the necessity of dewatering, waiting times at the Kiel Canal are currently up to 6 hours for Kiel-Holtenau and as much as 10 hours for Brunsbuttel.
Moreover, one big lock chamber at Brunsbuettel is closed until about 1500 hours local time during working days, due to maintenance works.
(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
Replacement of fenders
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Mumbai, India
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd have advised the shut-down of LB-1 at JN Port, Sheva Navi Mumbai, from 13 to 14 February, to replace damaged fenders.
LB-1:
No POL will be berthed but edible oil & chemicals others than A class shall berth. South side will be available for berthing vessels up to 170 metres LOA for non-POL subject that the vessel master agrees and issues NOC.
LB-2:
POL vessels can be taken on LB-2 subject to draft and DWT. If permitted by the vessel master and NOC, non-POL vessels will be allowed to berth.
According to the Trade Notice dated 11 February 2020, the intention is to shut-down tentatively from 13 February to 14 February (36 hours) as 4 low tides are required to complete the job.
Tank farms can carry out maintenance HOT/COLD work during the shut-down period with prior intimation and schedule work plan if no POL vessel is at LB-2.
For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Suspension of landing permits/shore passes
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, India
In exercise of the powers exercised under the Indian Ports Act 1908 and Major Ports Act 1963, this Ministry hereby directs the Major Ports and non-Major Ports to comply with the following:
‘Foreigners who have been to China on or after Jan 15, 2020, are not allowed to enter India from any air, land or seaport including Indo-Nepal, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Bangladesh or Indo-Myanmar land borders.’
All the Major Ports/non-Major Ports are requested to strictly comply with the above direction.
This will also apply to Kamarajar Pirt Limited, also.
(For further details or updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Government of India Ministry of Shipping Memorandum dated 11 February 2020
Oil pier ready to handle small tankers
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi Port Trust has announced that following the closure of Oil Pier-I (OP-I) for repairs and maintenance of damaged fenders, OP-1 is now ready to handle small tankers with a LOA of up to 180 metres and draft up to 10.50 metres.
During the first phase, operations at OP-I will be under observation. In the meantime, the required repairs may be completed in 2-3 weeks.
For information about operations in Pakistan contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
WHO formally names virus
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Worldwide
The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday (11 February) gave the current strain of coronavirus sparking concerns worldwide the formal name of COVID-19.
As advised in the WHO Director-General’s remarks at the media briefing on 2019-nCoV, the name does not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and is pronounceable and related to the disease. It also gives a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks.
As of 6am Geneva time yesterday morning, there were 42,708 confirmed cases reported in China, and 1017 people in the country have lost their lives to this virus. Most are in Hubei province, Wuhan. Outside China, there were 393 cases in 24 countries, and 1 death.
A UN Crisis Management Team has been activated to help WHO focus on the health response while the other agencies can bring their expertise to bear on the wider social, economic and developmental implications of the outbreak so we are all working to our strengths.
For information about measures taken at ports worldwide to counter the spread of COVID-19, contact the respective GAC office. Contact details may be found in the ‘GAC WORLDWIDE’ section of www.gac.com
DORSCON Orange precautionary measures for shipping community
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Singapore
On 7 February 2020, the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) raised its risk assessment from Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level Yellow to DORSCON Orange.
At present, there are no restrictions to shipping activities. Ships can continue to berth at terminals to carry out operations. To date, there is no significant disruption in the Port of Singapore due to the 2019-nCoV situation.
With the heightened posture, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will put in place the additional precautionary measures that MOH has introduced to minimise the risk of further transmission of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the community. This is on top of the measures that MPA had implemented under Port Marine Circular (PMC) 02 of 2020 dated 1 February 2020 – “Extension of Precautionary Measures to Minimise Risk of Community Spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Singapore” and PMC 03 of 2020 dated 1 February 2020 – “Maritime Declaration of Health”.
In line with MOH’s media release dated 7 February 2020:
Additional Precautions for Large-Scale Events. MPA advises the shipping community to cancel or defer non-essential large-scale events. For those who choose to proceed, they should take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of community transmission. Individuals who are unwell, on Leave of Absence, or have recent travel history to mainland China, should not attend such events.
Daily Health Checks. All ship masters and employers should require their crew and employees to conduct regular temperature-taking and check whether they have respiratory symptoms such as cough and runny nose. Temperature should be taken at least twice daily, and anyone with a fever or is unwell should see a doctor immediately.
Enhance Business Continuity Capability. All ships and workplaces should step up their business continuity plans, and prepare for widespread community transmission. The business continuity plans can include allowing employees to telecommute or segregation of teams.
Role of Individuals in Preventing Transmission. The most effective method to prevent transmission remains through good personal hygiene of regular hand washing with soap and water, and the use of hand sanitisers when soap and water are unavailable. Individuals should avoid touching their face unnecessarily, especially if their hands are not clean.
Temperature Screening at Sea Checkpoints for Inbound Travellers. Since 24 January 2020, MPA has implemented temperature screening at all sea checkpoints, including ferry and cruise terminals, PSA terminals and Jurong Port, for inbound travellers.
INDUSTRY-LED INITIATIVES
Temperature Screening at Cruise and Ferry Terminals. Since 8 February 2020, 2359hrs, cruise and ferry terminal operators have implemented centralised outbound temperature screening for departing passengers. This is an additional precautionary measure by the terminal operators to ensure the health and safety of all passengers and crew.
Cleaning and Disinfection. Cruise and ferry operators have also stepped up their cleaning and disinfection regime on board the cruise ships and ferries, especially in common or public areas to help prevent the widespread transmission of the 2019-nCoV.
FURTHER ADVICE
MPA advises the shipping community to adhere closely to the following press releases and advisories:
GOV.SG article dated 6 February 2020 on different DORSCON levels
MOM general advisory for workplace measures in response to DORSCON Orange situation in Singapore dated 7 February 2020
ICA updates on border control measures in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus
MPA advisories on 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
CONCLUSION
MPA urges the shipping community to remain vigilant, resolute and stay united in tackling the novel coronavirus (nCoV) situation. Organisations and individuals can play a part in reducing the risk of imported cases and community transmission. Singapore’s port operations continue to forge ahead and we thank partners for the support.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.04 of 2020 dated 12 February 2020
