Hot Port News from GAC
28-Mar-2020
WORLD HOLIDAYS: 29 MARCH-11 APRIL 2020
Worldwide
MEASURES REGARDING PREVENTION OF SPREAD OF COVID-19
Cotonou, Benin
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS HALTED
Turkey
24-HOUR CURFEW
Bahamas
PROACTIVE MEASURES DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
South Africa
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED
Angola
CREW CHANGES & ATTENDANCE OF TECHNICIANS/VISITORS SUSPENDED
Turkish Straits, Turkey
UPDATED VESSEL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Lowestoft, United Kingdom
AMENDMENT TO PILOTAGE DIRECTIONS
Southampton, United Kingdom
SHIPPING CONFIRMED AS ESSENTIAL SERVICE
Pakistan
DISPOSAL OF SHIP WASTE
Turkey
World Holidays: 29 March-11 April 2020
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Worldwide
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the following:
Mon 30 Mar – Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day (Trinidad & Tobago)
Thu 9 April – Araw ng Kagitingan (Philippines)
Thu 9 April – Maundy Thursday
Fri 10 April – Good Friday
For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found at www.gac.com
Measures regarding prevention of spread of COVID-19
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Cotonou, Benin
The Cotonou Port Authority Managing Director informs ships owners, shipping agents, stevedores and all port platform users that the following measures are in place with immediate effect in order to prevent and avoid COVID-19 to spread at Cotonou port.
These measures consist of:
All Masters of vessels calling Cotonou port must transmit to the following documents to Harbour Master through their appointed ship agent, 48 hours prior to vessel arrival at Cotonou Roads:
– 10 last port of call list
– Memorandum stating the whole crew health status
– Crew list (Crew list must show place and date of embarkation)
No vessel is allowed to berth without transmission of the listed documents above during the period stated above.
After vessel berthing, sanitary officials will board for health and sanitary inspection.
– No person allowed to board the vessel or disembark from the vessel prior to completion of the sanitary inspection and delivery of free pratique by sanitary officials.
– Cargo operations will commence only after free pratique duly is delivered to vessel.
During a call at Cotonou port:
– crew members are no longer allowed to go ashore; the delivery of shore passes is suspended.
– All crew or passengers who embarked a vessel less than 14 days prior vessel arrival/berthing at Cotonou port should be self-isolated, quarantined and remain on board until the vessel leaves Cotonou port.
– Crew change (crew embarkation & disembarkation) at berth or anchorage is suspended until further notice.
– Cruise and passenger vessels port calls are no longer allowed until further notice.
All port operators (shipping agents, stevedores, clearing agents, trucks owners) should comply with all measures implemented by Benin government against COVID-19 in order to preserve their health.
Cotonou Port Authority environment inspectors will proceed with unplanned visits to assess the effectiveness of the respect of the above listed measures.
This circular is released with immediate effect.
(For information about operations in Benin, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Translation of Contonou Port Authority Circular No.901/2020/PAC/DG/DPSOI/DCM/DRH/DC dated 27 March 2020
International flights halted
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Turkey
The Turkish Authorities have suspended international passenger flights from 23.59 hours local time last night (27 March) until 17 April.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
24-hour curfew
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Bahamas
A daily 24-hour curfew is in force in the Bahamas until 0900 hours local time on 31 March.
(For information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Elnet Maritime LTD, Freeport – GAC agents
Proactive measures during COVID-19 lockdown
Saturday, March 28, 2020, South Africa
South Africa’s ports authority, Transnet, has announced proactive measures in place to ensure the delivery of essential services whilst the country the country is in lockdown from until 16 April.
Transnet has decided to scale down all its transportation services and operations for non-essential cargo during the lockdown period which began at 2359 hours local time on 26 March.
Measures are implemented to ensure critical business continuity services are supported, and Transnet asks customers who have received approval to continue their operations to inform their Transnet account executive team to ensure their requirements are met and enable planning.
Essential services, as defined by the Government, will be prioritized.
Contact GAC South Africa for details about procedures at Transnet ports and terminals for bulk, break bulk, automotive and container operations.
For further updates and information about operations in South Africa contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com
State of Emergency declared
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Angola
The Government of Angola has declared a State of Emergency, effective 27 March for a period of 15 days. The main purpose of this action is to encourage people to stay indoors to prevent/minimise spreading of the virus. Non-essential private instituitions have been asked to close offices and work from home as much as possible.
Government institutions, ports and offshore terminals will continue to function, though with a skeleton staff, to provide essential services.
The following services have been suspended during this period:
– Crew changes and transportation of personnel offshore (except medical emergencies)
– Immigration and visa services
– Domestic flights
Cargo operations at all onshore and offshore terminals will continue. However, boarding vessels has been restricted with only the Customs (fiscal police) representative permitted on board, in addition to the mandatory terminal representatives.
GAC boarding representatives are stationed inside the port/terminal complexes (where permitted) for an indefinite period and they will liaise with the respective terminal representatives, vessel masters and other authorities (Customs-Immigration-Port Health) to ensure inward/outward clearance of vessels is performed without any delay.
GAC staff in Luanda, Soyo and Cabinda remain operational, though offices are physically closed, and can be contacted on their mobile phones and/or email.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Angola, contact GAC Angola at angola@gac.com
Crew changes & attendance of technicians/visitors suspended
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Turkish Straits, Turkey
Due to COVID-19 precautions, all crew changes and attendance of technicians/visitors in the Turkish Straits have been suspended until further notice.
Only stores spares can be delivered without any contact between vessel and agency boats.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Updated vessel notification requirements
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Lowestoft, United Kingdom
Mariners, Port Users and Vessel Operators/Agents are advised of the following updated notification requirements for vessels arriving at Lowestoft.
All vessels arriving from any port must submit a completed Maritime Declaration of Health to Lowestoft Port Control – lowestoftportcontrol@abports.co.uk when other prearrival information is submitted, but no later than 12 hours before the vessel’s anticipated arrival time and no greater that 24 hours. This aligns with Port Health Authorities requirements…
…Similarly, for any operations involving the transfer of personnel to or from vessels off the port of Lowestoft, e.g. for STS operations, the vessel Master will first need to submit a Maritime Declaration of Health to Port Control.
Ships will be questioned when in VHF range to confirm the presence or otherwise of cases or symptoms of Covid-19 onboard (frequent or continuous cough and or fever).
If a ship is clear of Covid -19 then normal pilotage operations can be conducted, with the measures below:
ABP has taken precautions to ensure that Pilots are healthy before they board your vessel and it is expected that ships take suitable precautions to ensure the health of ABP Pilots whilst they are on board your vessel.
Mitigation measures on board to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 should include:
Rigorous cleaning of bridge and other equipment that the pilot would normally contact or use (VHF Radio handsets, chart tables, radar etc)
Keeping a reasonable distance (2metres)
Regular hand-washing and avoidance of touching the face
Catching any coughs and sneezes with a tissue which is then disposed of
Bridge team to be limited to critical crew members for the duration of the pilotage
If a ship declares that Covid-19 is onboard (having previously submitted a MDH without this declaration) it is likely that the ship will be invited to wait outside the pilotage area until preparations and planning have been completed, as advised by Port Health and the relevant Public Health Authority. If a pilot is required for port entry, the port will carry out a risk assessment prior to any pilot boarding the vessel. If pilot boarding is to continue, the vessel will be contacted by VHF to confirm the individual(s) with Covid-19 symptoms have been isolated in a secure area (Cabin) and that the above sanitisation measures have taken place.
(For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com)
Source: Associated British Ports – Lowestoft Notice To Mariners No.17 2020 dated 28 March 2020
Amendment to pilotage directions
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Southampton, United Kingdom
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, contingency measures are being adopted by ABP Southampton and the Port’s allied service providers to ensure the continued operation of the Port…
…To effectively coordinate the many factors influencing a vessel’s transit of the VTS area including traffic management, Pilot allocation, launch availability and allied service provision it is necessary to temporarily amend Pilotage Directions to ensure optimised planning of traffic. These measures should permit the Port to remain open even with an increased level of absence amongst key workers…
…Masters and agents are requested to provide as much notice as possible of planned voyages within the CHA area, to ensure that all entries in the Agents Online portal are updated regularly and cancelled where necessary.
Schedule No. 3 of the ABP Southampton CHA Pilotage Directions and associated entries in ALRS are amended as follows and take effect from 28 March.
3.1 Estimated time of arrival (ETA) at pilot boarding point
Vessels bound for the ABP Southampton CHA Pilotage area requiring the services of a pilot shall give Southampton VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) a minimum of 24 hours advance notification through the creation of a voyage in Agents Online portal. This shall include, as a minimum, the vessel’s estimated time of arrival at the Nab Tower or Needles Fairway, maximum draft, destination within the pilotage area, state where a pilot is required and a CERS3 workbook. This shall constitute a provisional pilot booking.
Confirmation of the vessel’s estimated time of arrival at the Nab Tower or Needles Fairway shall be sent to Southampton Pilots by VHF radio telephone, channel 09, a minimum of 6 hours prior to arrival. If the vessel is not within VHF range, the confirmation should be sent via the ship’s agent, directly to the VTS data centre by email at southamptonvts@abports.co.uk or telephone +44(0) 7725 639565 during office hours or +44 (0) 2380 608208 at other times.
3.2 Time of departure or movement within the district
Vessels departing a berth or moving within the ABP Southampton CHA Pilotage area requiring the services of a pilot shall give Southampton VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) a minimum of 24 hours advance notification through the creation of a voyage in Agents Online portal. This shall include, as a minimum, the vessel’s estimated time of departure or movement, maximum draft, destination, and a CERS3 workbook. This shall constitute a provisional pilot booking.
Confirmation of departure time where the services of a pilot are required shall be given to Southampton Pilots a minimum of 6 hours prior to the intended time of departure by VHF, channel 09, via the ship’s agent, directly to the VTS data centre by email at southamptonvts@abports.co.uk or telephone +44(0) 7725 639565 during office hours or +44 (0) 2380 608208 at other times.
3.3 Boarding and landing of pilots in adverse weather conditions
In addition to existing provisions: Due to the severe restrictions on international air and sea transport, over carriage of pilots is unlikely to be permitted outside the UK.
3.5 Allocation of Pilot
In response to a confirmed pilot booking, a time slot for transit of the CHA area will be identified by Southampton VTS and a Pilot boarding time (inbound vessels) or departure time (outbound and shifting vessels) issued to the vessel by Southampton Pilots. This time will be as close as operationally possible to that requested. In exceptional circumstances, where a confirmed Pilot order cannot be serviced within 3 hours of the request, the agent will be contacted by Southampton VTS to identify the next available opportunity for the vessel’s movement.
3.6 Transit considerations
Vessels under Pilotage in the CHA area may be required to adjust their speed to align with other traffic movements, Pilot launch schedules and the availability of allied services such as tugs and line handlers. Early in the transit Pilots and PEC holders of inbound and shifting vessels should confirm with Southampton VTS the vessel’s planned berth time. Pilots of outbound vessels should confirm with Southampton Pilots the expected disembarkation time…
…These measures may be varied in response to the developing situation and will remain in force until further notice.
(For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com)
Source: Associated British Ports – Southampton Notice To Mariners No.13(T) of 2020 dated 27 March 2020
Shipping confirmed as essential service
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Pakistan
In a circular issued yesterday (27 March), the Government of Pakistan has confirmed that the activities of shipping lines and their agents in connection with imports, exports, transit and allied functions, as well as official work in the Custom House, Karachi, are essential services and continue to operate.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
Disposal of ship waste
Saturday, March 28, 2020, Turkey
Due to COVID-19 precautions, vessels in the Turkish Straits intending to dispose of waste must send below documents:
– Maritime Declaration of Health
– Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate
– Last 10 ports of call (arrival & departure dates)
– Crew List (embarked date & place)
– Body temperatures list (last 3 days)
These listed documents are required when applying for permission from Sanitary Office for the barge to contact the vessel.
If the Sanitary Office does not give permission, waste delivery cannot be done.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
