Hot Port News from GAC
21-May-2020
BORDERS REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL MONTH’S END
Ghana
ADVERSE WEATHER CLOSES ANCHORAGE
Port Kembla, Australia
REEFER CONTAINER POWER SUPPLY CHARGES
Hodeidah, Yemen
PORT STILL OPEN FOR VESSEL CALLS
Azores Islands (Portugal)
PHASE 2 OF REOPENING PLAN
Trinidad & Tobago
TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION AFTER CYCLONE MAKES LANDFALL
Bay of Bengal, India
COVID-19 IN THE MARITIME SECTOR
United Kingdom
Borders remain closed until month’s end
Thursday, May 21, 2020, Ghana
Ghana’s borders will remain closed to any movement of people until 31 May. The ban on gathering also remains in place until the end of the month.
Vessels calling at the ports of Tema and Takoradi must fulfill certain pre-arrival requirements upon arrival. They must be cleared by port health before pilot can board.
Crew exchange is not possible in Ghana as the borders are closed.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Ghana, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: OMA Ghana – GAC agent
Adverse weather closes anchorage
Thursday, May 21, 2020, Port Kembla, Australia
The anchorage at Port Kembla is closed to shipping from 1200 hours local time today (21 May) due to adverse weather.
All ships at anchorage to return back to sea and more than 12NM from the coast.
All ships already in port must drop their seaside anchor and run extra lines as necessary.
The port harbour remains open to shipping movements.
For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Reefer container power supply charges
Thursday, May 21, 2020, Hodeidah, Yemen
From today (21 May), the port of Hodeidah will levy following charges for refrigerator container power supply, as follows:
– For 20’ container: YR 14,400/- per day of part thereof
– For 40’ container: YR 28,800/- per day or part thereof
– For containers of more than 40’: YR 28,800/- per day or part thereof
For information about operations in Yemen, contact GAC Yemen at yemen@gac.com
Port still open for vessel calls
Thursday, May 21, 2020, Azores Islands (Portugal)
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the port of Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel Island – Azores) remains open for the following purpose of calls, to be authorised on a case-by-case basis:
Loading / Discharge operations
Bunkers / Refuel / Provisions
Receiving spare parts
Medical disembarkations (duly proven)
Repairs
Crew Changes (to be authorised by the Health Authority on a case-by-case basis)
Crew may not come ashore, except to receive medical attendance.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Ghana, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: ABC – Agencia Navegacao, LDA – GAC agent
Phase 2 of reopening plan
Thursday, May 21, 2020, Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad & Tobago has now entered the 2nd phase of its gradual reopening following the lockdown due to COVID-19.
In Phase 2, which will be from today (21 May) to 6 June, the borders remain closed except for the managed entry of persons.
The manufacturing sector has reopened, construction will resume, and some commercial enterprises can reopen. Public transportation capacity remains at 50%.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Trinidad & Tobago, contact GAC Trinidad & Tobago at trinidad@gac.com
Trail of destruction after cyclone makes landfall
Thursday, May 21, 2020, Bay of Bengal, India
Extremely Severe Cyclone Amphan made landfall in eastern India and Bangladesh yesterday (20 May), bringing heavy rain and winds with speeds of up to 190 kmph.
One of the most powerful cyclones in decades, Amphan left behind a trail of destruction by uprooting trees, destroying thousands of homes and swamping low-lying areas of the state, killing at least 15 people as it lashed coastal areas. Portions of several dilapidated buildings came crashing down in Kolkata and other parts of the state.
Paradip recorded the highest wind speed of 106 kmph followed by Chandbali with 74 kmph, Balasore 59 kmph and Bhubaneswar 56 kmph.
Indian officials said that up to 300,000 people in the coastal areas are in immediate danger from potentially deadly storm surges and flooding. The emergency response was complicated due to coronavirus situation.
Cyclone Amphan is expected to move further into Bangladesh on Thursday, and later Bhutan. Though its winds have now weakened, it is still classified as a very severe cyclone. Meteorologists warn there could be up to 300mm more rainfall to come, which could increase the risk of flooding and deadly mudslides.
At the port of Vizag, inward movements have been restored and re-berthing of working vessels at outer harbour berths has started. Port operations have resumed.
Inward movements have been restored at Gangavaram. The port has started re-berthing senior vessels, and port operations resumed.
Port operations at Dhamra are back to normal. Rake movements are restored, with limited rakes.
At Paradip/Gopalpur, vessels started reporting from the morning hours. Port commenced berthing movements for vessels which were shifted to roads.
It is understood that vessel movements at Haldia are to resume by this evening.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
COVID-19 in the maritime sector
Thursday, May 21, 2020, United Kingdom
The United Kingdom’s Association of Port Health Authorities has created a Questions & Answers documents about COVID-19 in the maritime sector.
It is available online at www.porthealthassociation.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/200512-Covid-in-the-maritime-setting-QAs-v4-12-May-2020.pdf
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com
