Hot Port News from GAC
15-May-2020
CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF TEMPORARY WIND MONITORING STATION
Hong Kong
CLOSURE OF MINOR PORTS DURING FOUL SEASON
Maharashtra, India
SOUTHWEST PASS RECOMMENDED TRANSIT DRAFT
Mississippi River, United States
NO INCREASE IN SHIPPING CHARGES
Townsville, Australia
PRICING FREEZE UNTIL 30 JUNE 2021
Brisbane, Australia
LOW PRESSURE OVER LIKELY TO INTENSIFY INTO CYCLONIC STORM
Bay of Bengal, India
MOVEMENT OF TRANSIT CARGO
Mombasa, Kenya
TRANSIT OF COVID19 TEST KITS
Gibraltar
Continuous operation of temporary wind monitoring station
Friday, May 15, 2020, Hong Kong
A temporary wind monitoring station situated in the southwest of Lamma Island for collecting wind data will continue to operate for a period of approximately one year.
The station is a large offshore platform. The particulars of the station and its aids to navigation are as follows:
Position (WGS 84 Datum): 22 deg. 09.197’N / 114 deg. 05.973’E
Elevation of the main platform: 11 metres above mean sea level
Supporting Trunk: Yellow
Meteorological Mast: Orange and white stripes
Aids to Navigation of the Station
Light: Mo (U) 15s 13M
Foghorn: Mo (U) 15s
Radar Reflector: Fitted
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and give a wide berth to the station.
(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.66/2020
Closure of minor ports during foul season
Friday, May 15, 2020, Maharashtra, India
As per Government notification, the Far Season ends on 25 May 2020, and the Foul Season commences with effect from 26 May 2020.
Keeping in mind the safety of lives, vessels, property and environment, all the ports in Rajpuri Group are hereby declared closed for all shipping activities with effect from 26 May 2020 until 31 August 2020. All concerned operators and stake holders may please take note and arrange shipping activities/movements accordingly. Take all appropriate measures to avoid any untoward incident during the Foul Season.
The closure includes navigation of traffic vessels in all minor ports also.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Maharashtra Maritime Board Circular dated 13 May 2020
Southwest Pass recommended transit draft
Friday, May 15, 2020, Mississippi River, United States
The Bar Pilots for the Port of New Orleans recommend that vessels transiting Southwest Pass from the Sea Buoy (Entrance Lighted Whistle Buoy “SW”) to Mile 1.5 above Head of Passes should not have a deep draft in fresh water greater than Forty-Four feet (44 feet).
This draft recommendation, which may be increased or decreased at any time as conditions warrant, becomes effective immediately.
Nothing in the recommendations should be construed as limiting a pilot in the exercise of their judgement.
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: New Orleans Associated Branch Pilots notice dated 14 May 2020
No increase in shipping charges
Friday, May 15, 2020, Townsville, Australia
The impact of COVID-19 is being felt by consumers and businesses across Northern Queensland including key stakeholders along the logistic supply chain for both imports and exports.
To support our customers and the Port community during this unprecedented time, the Port of Townsville advises that there will be no increases in our shipping charges in the 2020-2021 financial year.
All cargo, berthage, utility, security and hire charges will remain at the current rate until 30 June 2021.
We have made some minor modifications to the Shipping Charges Schedule to focus on commodity type rather than individual commodities, simplify storage charges and provide greater transparency in rates. The new Shipping Charges Schedule will be available online in June 2020.
Freezing shipping charges is one of a number of measures we are implementing to offer assistance to our customers as we continue to work closely with you during the pandemic. As an essential service for Northern Queensland it is imperative that we work together to ensure we can continue operating so that the vital industries that we support can also continue operating.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com)
Source: Port of Townsville letter dated 12 May 2020
Pricing freeze until 30 June 2021
Friday, May 15, 2020, Brisbane, Australia
In light of the challenges faced by the logistics industry during the COVID-19 crisis, the Board and Management of Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd will freeze pricing for Trade and Marine customers through to 30 June 2021.
In making this decision, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd sincerely hopes this gives customers certainty and support during this challenging time.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Low pressure over likely to intensify into Cyclonic Storm
Friday, May 15, 2020, Bay of Bengal, India
The India Meteorological Department has declared a Cyclone Alert for the Indian coastline across the Bay of Bengal, as a low-pressure area has formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea.
The low-pressure area is very likely to concentrate into a depression over central parts of south Bay of Bengal in the next 24 hours and further intensify into a cyclonic storm over the same region in the subsequent 24 hours.
The system will be initially moving northwestward until 16 May and then re-curve north-northeastward towards the north Bay of Bengal on 18-19 May.
For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Movement of transit cargo
Friday, May 15, 2020, Mombasa, Kenya
Kenya Ports Authority has advised that, with effect from 11 May, all transit cargo truck drivers carrying cargo to/from the Port of Mombasa and other inland facilities must produce a valid COVID-19 certificate before entering the port facilities.
The COVID-19 certificate is valid for 14 days from the issuance date.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Kenya, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Seaforth Shipping, (Kenya) Ltd – GAC agent
Transit of Covid19 test kits
Friday, May 15, 2020, Gibraltar
Following on from recent consideration given to allowing transit through Gibraltar for Covid 19 test kits and instructions received on the matter from the Director of Public Health, HM Customs is notifying all concerned parties of the restrictions in place.
Covid test kits WILL NOT be allowed transit through Gibraltar;
Any party concerned with the documentation, declaration of or movement of transit goods is hereby advised they MUST inform HM Customs should any Covid Kits be detected within the transit consignment;
Test kits declared, reported by concerned parties, or on inspection, found within TRANSIT GOODS WILL BE DETAINED;
Normal importations with prior documented GHA approval for home use will continue as allowed in regulations;
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Gibraltar, contact GAC Gibraltar at agency.gibraltar@gac.com)
Source: Government of Gibraltar, HM Customs, note to Customs Clearing Agents dated 15 May 2020
