Hot Port News from GAC
30-May-2020
WORLD HOLIDAYS: 31 MAY-13 JUNE 2020
Worldwide
OUTBOUND INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS RESUME
Pakistan
INCREASE OF MAXIMUM AUTHORIZED DRAFT FOR NEOPANAMAX VESSELS
Panama Canal, Panama
TRIAL DEPLOYMENT OF ARTIFICIAL REEF
Hong Kong
World Holidays: 31 May-13 June 2020
Saturday, May 30, 2020, Worldwide
Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the following:
Sun 31 May – Whit Sunday / Pentecost
Mon 1 June – Whit Monday
Mon 1 June – June Bank Holiday (Ireland)
Fri 5 June – Danish Constitution Day
Mon 8 June – Greek Pentecost
Thu 11 June – Corpus Christi
Fri 12 June – Philippines Independence Day
Fri 12 June – Russia Day
For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found at www.gac.com
Outbound international flights resume
Saturday, May 30, 2020, Pakistan
The Pakistan Federal Government has decided that the operation of outbound international flights (scheduled, non-scheduled and charter) is allowed from today (30 May), under revised SOPs.
It has also been decided to further increase domestic flights from previous 20-22% to 40-45% of pre-COVID19 operations, starting from Monday 1 June.
After the resumption of international outbound flights today, GAC Pakistan is seeking advice from the relevant port authorities about crew changes, and will advise when confirmation if received.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
Increase of maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax vessels
Saturday, May 30, 2020, Panama Canal, Panama
Based on present and projected levels of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces that, effective immediately, the Maximum Authorized Draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be 13.87 m (45.5 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).
Vessels arriving with drafts over 13.87 m (45.5 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit, depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit. Otherwise, they will be required to trim or off-load cargo in order to be allowed to transit.
The ACP will continue to monitor the level of Gatun Lake in order to announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.
(For information about operations in the Panama Canal, contact GAC Panama at operations.panama@gac.com)
Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory To Shipping No.A-18-2020 dated 28 May 2020
Trial deployment of artificial reef
Saturday, May 30, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately two months, trial deployment of one artificial reef [in The Brothers Marine Park] will be temporarily established on the seabed in one of the following locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22 deg. 19.959’N / 113 deg. 58.737’E
(B) 22 deg. 19.975’N / 113 deg. 58.989’E
(C) 22 deg. 19.958’N / 113 deg. 59.092’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.881’N / 113 deg. 59.014’E
The artificial reef is cubical in shape with a height of about 6.3 metres and a base of about 4.2 metres by 4.2 metres. There will be a vertical clearance of about 4.5 metres from top of the artificial reef to sea level. After each trial deployment, the artificial reef will be relocated to another location. A yellow marker buoy fitted with yellow flashing light will be laid to mark the position of the artificial reef.
The works for the trial deployment will be carried out by one crane barge and one flat top barge. Two tugboats will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 50 metres around each barge will be established. Yellow markers buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from each barge.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 hours from Monday to Saturday. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the above locations outside the hours of work.
Diving operations for checking the artificial reef will be carried out from time to time.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution, bearing in mind there are divers working in the above locations.
(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.71/2020 dated 29 May 2020
