Hot Port News from GAC
11-May-2020
PROVINCIAL LOCKDOWN EXTENDED
Punjab, Pakistan
REPAIR WORKS ON BERTHING DOLPHIN
Sheskharis Oil Terminal (Novorossiysk), Russia
FIRING PRACTICE
Chattogram, Bangladesh
INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSELS (OSVS)
Ras Laffan, Qatar
REVISED UNDERTAKING FOR PASS APPLICATIONS
Ras Laffan, Qatar
STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED
Angola
SHIPS URGED TO KEEP CLEAR OF GROUNDED VESSELS
Singapore Straits, Singapore
STAGE 2 OF LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS
Namibia
VESSELS ARRIVING FROM CHINA OR SOUTH KOREA
Queensland, Australia
PORT CUSTOMS, MARINE OPERATIONS & STEVEDORES WORKING THROUGHOUT CURFEW
Shuwaikh & Shuaiba, Kuwait
AMENDMENT TO CURFEW
Sri Lanka
Provincial lockdown extended
Monday, May 11, 2020, Punjab, Pakistan
The Government of Punjab Province has extended the provincial lockdown until 31 May, with additional exemptions.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
Repair works on berthing dolphin
Monday, May 11, 2020, Sheskharis Oil Terminal (Novorossiysk), Russia
From 15 May, repair works are planned to begin on the berthing dolphin D4 of Berth #1A of the Sheskharis Oil Terminal of NCSP PJSC, after a collision in June 2019.
The repair work is expected to take several months, during which time loading of Aframax tankers of 80,000-90000MT will be carried out at the terminal’s Berth #2.
Berth #2 is intended to accept tankers with a deadweight of up to 105,500 tonnes. Tankers must therefore have on board the relevant International Load Line certificate for a deadweight of no more than that limit.
For information about operations in Russia, contact GAC Russia at russia@gac.com
Firing practice
Monday, May 11, 2020, Chattogram, Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Navy is carrying out firing practice from 0600 to 2200 hours local time daily (except Fridays 7 Saturdays) until 31 May, in the following areas of Chattogram:
VGD-30 (Firing Area-30)
21 deg. 20.83’N / 090 deg. 34.00’E
21 deg. 41.00’N / 091 deg. 14.00’E
21 deg. 20.83’N / 091 deg. 28.00’E
21 deg. 00.00’N / 090 deg. 47.83’E
Safety height/Attitude Clearance: Above 3,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-30 (Firing Area-33)
20 deg. 22.00’N / 091 deg. 06.00’E
20 deg. 46.50’N / 091 deg. 31.00’E
20 deg. 24.00’N / 091 deg. 59.00’E
20 deg. 00.00’N / 091 deg. 36.00’E
Safety height/Attitude Clearance: Above 3,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-30 (Firing Area-35)
20 deg. 58.00’N / 089 deg. 34.00’E
20 deg. 58.00’N / 089 deg. 54.00’E
20 deg. 34.00’N / 089 deg. 54.00’E
20 deg. 34.00’N / 089 deg. 34.00’E
Safety height/Attitude Clearance: Above 3,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-30 (Firing Area-32)
20 deg. 07.00’N / 090 deg. 52.00’E
20 deg. 22.00’N / 091 deg. 06.00’E
20 deg. 00.00’N / 091 deg. 36.00’E
19 deg. 44.00’N / 091 deg. 21.00’E
Safety height/Attitude Clearance: Above 12,000 meters from mean sea level
VGD-30 (Firing Area-34)
21 deg. 18.00’N / 089 deg. 31.00’E
21 deg. 18.00’N / 089 deg. 50.00’E
21 deg. 04.00’N / 089 deg. 54.00’E
21 deg. 04.00’N / 089 deg. 34.00’E
Safety height/Attitude Clearance: Above 12,000 meters from mean sea level
In case of cyclone warning, the above mentioned firing areas will be considered inactive automatically.
All ships and crafts are requested to navigate with caution and keep well clear of assigned danger area on above specified schedules.
(For information about operations in Bangladesh, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Uni-Global, Bangladesh – GAC agent
Instructions for Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs)
Monday, May 11, 2020, Ras Laffan, Qatar
It was noticed by Port Management that some of the crew members of OSVs are still disembarking from the ships and doing so without wearing any PPE. Port Management took serious note of this indiscretion. Please reiterate the following with all the OSVs:
Boarding of the vessel(s) by the agency representatives shall be minimized to the maximum. Entry and exit formalities of vessels shall be arranged remotely whenever possible.
For Vessels needing Early Departure Procedures (EDP) and the agent required to accomplish the physical documentation, the visit may be limited for the departure.
The instruction to wear the masks and gloves shall be strictly complied with. Vessel shall not receive any person onboard without the mandatory PPE.
With immediate effect, crew members from all the vessels including offshore supply vessels are not permitted to disembark. Visits to convenient stores in port are banned until further notice. The vessel interests and their agent shall collate all required goods and services needed by the vessel and supply. Master is responsible for the access control of the respective vessels and to ensure that this requirement is met in the best of interest of his crew members. No shore leave is permitted unless for unavoidable health related requirements.
The agents shall inform vessels to alert them in case any of their crew members are diagnosed with COVID-19 after departure from RLC Port.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com)
Source: Ras Laffan Port Circular
Revised undertaking for pass applications
Monday, May 11, 2020, Ras Laffan, Qatar
A revised COVID019 undertaking letter has been issued, which must be submitted along with application for new and renewal of Ras Laffan passes.
The letter should be issued on the letter head of the employer of the applicant be signed by authorised signatory as per computer card.
If the employer office not registered in Qatar, then authorised person from project management can sign the letter.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com
State of Emergency extended
Monday, May 11, 2020, Angola
The Government of Angola has further extended the State of Emergency until 25 May.
All government institutions, including ports and offshore terminals, continue to function with skeleton staff to attend essential services.
The following operations continue to be suspended until the State of Emergency is lifted:
Crew changes and transportation of personnel offshore (except critical medical emergencies)
Visa services
Domestic flights
Movement of personnel from Luanda to other provinces
Offshore crude liftings continue to operate, with only customs police onboard. Agents and other authorities are restricted from to travel offshore facilities.
GAC’s head office in Luanda and branch offices in Soyo and Cabinda remain operational.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Angola, contact GAC Angola at angola@gac.com
Ships urged to keep clear of grounded vessels
Monday, May 11, 2020, Singapore Straits, Singapore
Two vessels were grounded off Batu Berhanti in the Singapore Straits early this morning (11 May).
The position of the grounded vessels is approximately 01 deg. 11.25’N / 103 deg. 52.85’E.
Vessels transiting along the Singapore Straits are to keep clear within the vicinity. Investigations are on-going and the causes are yet to be confirmed.
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Stage 2 of lockdown regulations
Monday, May 11, 2020, Namibia
The Namibian Government has lifted all restrictions on the import and export of goods, with the country entering Stage 2 of lockdown regulations.
The country has suspended the lockdown and business activities have resumed as usual while maintaining safety measures in place against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The borders are open for all imports and exports of goods, and there is no restriction on domestic travel.
Namibia, which implemented early screening at all border posts, has had 16 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with no deaths.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Namibia, contact GAC Namibia at shipping.walvisbay@gac.com
Vessels arriving from China or South Korea
Monday, May 11, 2020, Queensland, Australia
Maritime Safety Queensland has lifted the additional restrictions on ships or crew arriving from/transiting through China or South Korea with effect from 23:59 on 8 May.
Arrivals from both countries are now treated the same as any other country.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Port customs, marine operations & stevedores working throughout curfew
Monday, May 11, 2020, Shuwaikh & Shuaiba, Kuwait
Authorities have verbally confirmed that port customs, marine operations and stevedores will continue to work at Shuwaikh and Shuaiba throughout the curfew period, which has now been extended until the end of May.
GAC Kuwait’s Delivery Order counter for releasing cargo to consignees will remain open from 0900 to 1300 hours.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Kuwait, contact GAC Kuwait at shipagency.kuwait@gac.com or freight.kuwait@gac.com
Amendment to curfew
Monday, May 11, 2020, Sri Lanka
The curfew in the districts of Colombo and Gampaha remains in force until further notice. However, civilian life, state and private sector activities have re-commenced from today, Monday 11 May.
For all other districts (including the ports of Galle, Hambantota and Trincomalee), the curfew will only be effective from 8.00pm to 5.00am every day till further notice.
The status quo remains for crew changes in Sri Lanka, and airports continue to be closed for arrivals until further notice.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, contact GAC Sri Lanka at srilanka@gac.com
