Hot Port News from GAC
18-Apr-2020
WORLD HOLIDAYS: 19 APRIL-2 MAY 2020
Worldwide
MARITIME PROTOCOL FOR COVID-19
Sint Eustatius (Netherlands)
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONARY PRACTICES
New Orleans, United States
PIPE REMOVED FROM SHIP CHANNEL, DRAFT RESTRICTION LIFTED
Corpus Christi, United States
SIGNING-ON/-OFF & MOVEMENT OF INDIAN SEAFARERS
India
World Holidays: 19 April-2 May 2020
Saturday, April 18, 2020, Worldwide
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the following:
Sun 19 April – Greek Easter
Mon 20 April – Greek Easter Monday
Tue 21 April – Tiradentes Day (Brazil)
Thu 23 April – National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Turkey)
Sat 25 April – ANZAC Day (Australia & New Zealand)
Mon 27 May – Kingsday (Netherlands)
Thu 30 April – Birthday of Buddha
Fri 1 May – May Day / Labour Day
For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found at www.gac.com
Maritime protocol for COVID-19
Saturday, April 18, 2020, Sint Eustatius (Netherlands)
To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, protocols have been set in St Eustatius for vessels other than cargo carriers coming to the city pier.
These protocols include (but are not limited to):
Reporting Duties, including Maritime Declaration of Health and details of crew/passengers that have joined the ship within the last 30 days;
Precautions to be taken by all travelling onboard from international waters;
Prohibition of access;
Quarantine.
(For details of the protocols, as well as information about operations in St Eustatius, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Rocargo Services, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands – GAC agent.
COVID-19 Precautionary Practices
Saturday, April 18, 2020, New Orleans, United States
To promote safety and limit the risk of spread of COVID-19 to the Lower Mississippi River maritime community, the Captain of the Port New Orleans recommends the following precautions:
1. Limit visitors coming on board the vessel.
a. Prior to vessel’s arrival, the Agent shall inform the Master of the expected number of official port personnel scheduled to board the vessel on arrival and upon berthing.
b. Limit visitors coming aboard the vessel to pilots and port personnel required for official ships business and cargo operations.
c. Encourage loading masters not to board the vessel for pre-loading conference and do it via radio instead.
d. Exchange ship and cargo documents via email to the extent possible.
2. Conduct all ship’s business on deck in open air whenever possible.
a. Port personnel should avoid entering ship accommodations spaces.
b. Where possible, arrange on deck a temporary “cargo office/table” to conduct business.
c. In the hour prior to Boarding Party’s arrival and/or berthing, the ship’s crew should wipe down theon-deck meeting area with disinfectant.
i. This includes table, chairs, door handles, windows, sink, faucet handles, etc.
ii. Wipe down the nearest bathroom that will be utilized, including door handles for accessways, sink, faucet, toilet, etc.
iii. Disposable alcohol wipes should be made available on the table.
d. Cargo sampling- Done by vessel’s crew on behalf of the surveyor when possible.
i. Surveyor and crew members should maintain two meters distancing.
ii. Documents required by surveyor (ullage reports, etc.) should be sent electronically orexchanged on deck.
iii. Any on board pre-loading conference, should take place out on deck.
iv. Limit loading masters/cargo surveyors from entering ship’s accommodation…
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: United States Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Marine Safety Information Bulletin dated 17 April 2020
Pipe removed from ship channel, draft restriction lifted
Saturday, April 18, 2020, Corpus Christi, United States
Orion Marine reported that the three pieces of 24-inch diameter steel pipe have been removed from the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
The Captain of the Port has lifted the 41-feet draft restriction and safety zone from position 27 deg. 49’08″N, 097 deg. 11’38″W (just west of the ICW intersection) to position 27 deg. 49’01″N, 097 deg. 12’13″W (adjacent to light 33).
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: United States Coast Guard, Sector Corpus Christi, Marine Safety Information Bulletin 28-20, Update 2 & Final, dated 16 April 2020
Signing-on/-off & movement of Indian seafarers
Saturday, April 18, 2020, India
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an addendum to official guidelines, permitting the following with effect from 20 April:
Sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers (sea crew) at Indian ports;
Intra and inter-state movement of such sea farers on the basis of authorization/e-pass issued by Director General of Shipping, Government of India (DGS), along with physical copy of Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) as proof of identity issued by DGS.
For details of the Standard Operating Procedure, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
