Hot Port News from GAC
01-Jun-2020
NEW PORT DUES ANNOUNCED
Iraq
DISCOUNTED TARIFF FOR CREW CHANGE SERVICES AT ANCHORAGE
Mundra, India
DOUBLE BANKING OF OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSELS
Ras Laffan, Qatar
TRAVEL BAN
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
UNIFORM PROCEDURE FOR PENAL BERTH HIRE CHARGES
Deendayal, India
FIRING PRACTICE ALERT
Karachi, Pakistan
LOCKDOWN LIFTED, CREW CHANGES/SHORE LEAVE STILL NOT PERMITTED
Port Louis, Mauritius
PRE-CYCLONE WATCH
North Maharashtra/South Gujarat coast, India
FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS & CREW CHANGES
Indonesia
COVID-19 LEVEL 3 CREW CHANGES
South Africa
New port dues announced
Monday, June 1, 2020, Iraq
The Iraqi Port Authority has advised that new port dues will be applied at Iraqi ports and terminals from 1 July 2020, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its repercussions impacting the global economy as well as the fall in oil prices.
For details of the new tariff as well as information about operations in Iraq, contact GAC Iraq at iraq@gac.com
Discounted tariff for crew change services at anchorage
Monday, June 1, 2020, Mundra, India
Mundra Port is pleased to facilitate crew change for Indian nationality seafarers at Mundra Port Anchorage in view of COVID-19 crisis.
Henceforth, vessels (tankers/gas carrier) can be deviated to Mundra for crew change purpose exclusively. (Other miscellaneous services for anchorage can also be clubbed along with subject to management approval).
The vessels can be diverted to Mundra for Husbandry activities which they will carry out anchorage only. Vessel can sail out from Mundra After completion of above.
Discounted tariffs for above mentioned services follows:
1) 50% discount on port dues
2) 50% discount on anchorage charges
3) Tug Charges as per BPTS
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Mundra Port
Double banking of offshore support vessels
Monday, June 1, 2020, Ras Laffan, Qatar
Offshore Support Vessels have been permitted to double bank alongside following requests by vessel operators or agents.
However, as per best practices, double banking has many risks/impairments for emergency response. Thus, Port Management are instituting a formal study to be carried out to identify Safety, Engineering, Technical and all Operational risks associated with the practice.
Therefore, effective from 7 June 2020, Ras Laffan Port will not facilitate Offshore Supply Vessels to be on Double Banking positions.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com)
Source: Ras Laffan Port Authority
Travel ban
Monday, June 1, 2020, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
To enhance the effectiveness of the National Screening Programme and reduce the spread of COVID-19, movement between regions within Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafrah), as well as in and out of Abu Dhabi emirate, is banned starting from tomorrow, Tuesday 1 June, for a period of one week.
This ban includes all residents, including UAE Nationals.
Exemptions are available by special permit for employees of vital sectors, chronic disease patients visiting hospitals and the transportation of necessary goods.
Residents in each region are allowed to move within their region in line with National Sterilisation Programme timings.
This ban may cause delays in the transfer of individuals, documents, parcels, etc between Ruwais/Jebel Dhanna and Abu Dhabi city.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Abu Dhabi, contact GAC Abu Dhabi at abudhabi@gac.com
Uniform procedure for penal berth hire charges
Monday, June 1, 2020, Deendayal, India
Deendayal Port Trust has adopted the following procedure for levy of penal berth hire charges:
Cargo Handled: Mechanized Bulk Berths
Penal berth hire charges to be levied for non-performance of productivity norms on the following agencies: Shipping / Vessel Agents
Cargo Handled: Conventional Berths handling dry bulk/break bulk cargo
Penal berth hire charges to be levied for non-performance of productivity norms on the following agencies: Stevedoring Agents
Cargo Handled: Liquid Berths
Penal berth hire charges to be levied for non-performance of productivity norms on the following agencies: Shipping / Vessel Agents
The above procedure will come into effect from 10 June 2020.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Deendayal Port Trust Circular dated 27 May 2020
Firing practice alert
Monday, June 1, 2020, Karachi, Pakistan
Air Defence firing practice with live ammunition is being carried out daily between 0700 & 1400 hours and 1800 & 2100 hours local time from 1 to 30 June in the area bounded by:
25-20.65N / 066-32.70E
25-22.27N / 066-38.79E
25-19.18N / 066-43.91E
25-10.50N / 066-45.40E
All sea going vessels, including merchant ships approaching/departing Karachi and Bin Qasim Port, should keep well clear of the above dangerous area.
For information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at pakistan@gac.com
Lockdown lifted, crew changes/shore leave still not permitted
Monday, June 1, 2020, Port Louis, Mauritius
The Mauritius lockdown was lifted at midnight on 30 May, clearing the way for most activities to resume under certain restrictions. Crew changes and shore are still not permitted, and the airport will remain closed until 1 July.
Port Louis is operating for loading and discharge of all types of cargo, with only two shifts: 07:00-15:00 & 15:00-23:00.
Bunker fuels, ships spares, provisions, lube oil, stores and SSCEC renewal may be delivered during cargo operations at berth.
The below services are allowed at anchorage 24/7:
– bunkering at anchorage
– delivery of ships spares
– delivery of lube oil, provisions or stores
– renewal of SSCEC
There should be no human interaction between crew members and operators/agents during operations, except for the renewal of SSCEC, for which only Port Health officers will board the vessel for issuance of the certificate.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Mauritius, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Celero Shipping, Mauritius – GAC agent
Pre-Cyclone Watch
Monday, June 1, 2020, North Maharashtra/South Gujarat coast, India
The low pressure area over southeast and adjoining east central Arabian Sea & Lakshadweep area concentrated into a depression over eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today (1 June) near latitude 13.0 deg. N and longitude 71.4 deg. E about 370 km southwest of Panjim (Goa), 690km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 920 km south-southwest of Surat (Gujarat).
It is very likely to intensify into a deep depression over eastcentral and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea during next 12 hours and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over eastcentral Arabian Sea during the subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move nearly northwards initially till 2 June morning and then recurve north-northeastwards and cross north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts between Harihareshwar (Raigad, Maharashtra) and Daman during evening/ night of 3 June…
RAINFALL:
Under the influence of the depression, light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy falls very likely over Lakshadweep area, north Kerala and coastal Karnataka, today, 1 June. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over south Konkan & Goa on 1 June. Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls very likely over Konkan & Goa on 2 June and over south Konkan & Goa on 3 June.
Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places over north Konkan and north Madhya Maharashtra on 3 & 4 June.
Light to moderate rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls very likely over south Gujarat state, Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli on 3 June and with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places over south Gujarat state, Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and on 4 June.
WIND WARNING:
Squally wind, speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph, is prevailing over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea. It is very likely to become 50-60kmph gusting to 70kmph over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea during next 48 hours. It will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph over eastcentral Arabian Sea and along and off south Maharashtra coast from 2 June morning and further becoming 105-115 kmph gusting to 125 kmph over eastcentral and northeast Arabian Sea along & off Maharashtra coast and 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph along & off south Gujarat coast from 3 June evening.
Squally wind, speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is likely prevail over eastcentral Arabian Sea along and off Karnataka-Goa coasts during next 48 hours.
Squally wind, speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over Lakshadweep area and along & off Kerala coast during next 48 hours.
SEA CONDITION:
The sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough over eastcentral & adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea during next 48 hours. It would become very rough to high over eastcentral & southeast Arabian Sea and along & off Karnataka-Goa coasts during next 48 hours. It will be High to very High over Eastcentral Arabian Sea along and off Maharashtra coast from 2 June.
The sea condition is very likely to be very rough to high over northeast Arabian Sea along & off Gujarat coast from 3 June…
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Extracts from India Meterological Department Bulletin No.11 issued at 0920 hours local time on 1 June 2020
Flight restrictions & crew changes
Monday, June 1, 2020, Indonesia
Flight restrictions for 19 Indonesian airports have been extended until 7 June, as a measure to prevent of the spread of COVID-19.
Lion Air Group plans to re-operate their commercial passenger flights starting today (1 June), with passengers required to:
Arrive early at the departure terminal 4 hours before departure
Have completed documentation Including flight ticket, ID Card, Certificate Free COVID-19, Traveler letter/business letter, Negative Rapid COVID-19 test result valid 3 days published by a health facility, free certificate of symptoms such as influenza for areas that do not have the facilities of RT- PCR or Rapid test, a letter of assignment according to the agency, certificate as required
Wear a mask before flight and while on the plane until landing and exiting the airport
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer
Exercise applicable physical distancing
Maintain cleanliness while on board
Prospective passengers should bring their own hand sanitizer.
Crew changes are possible at Nipah, Galang and Tanjung Balai Karimun only.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Indonesia, contact Andhika GAC Indonesia at shipping.indonesia@gac.com
COVID-19 Level 3 crew changes
Monday, June 1, 2020, South Africa
All South African seafarers are permitted to embark and disembark vessels for the purposes of work under LEVEL 3…
…South Africa implemented a 5 Level Risk-Based Approach and on 1 June 2020, South Africa reduce to a Level 3.
a) SOUTH AFRICAN SEAFARERS
All South African Seafarers will be permitted to embark or disembark vessels either in South Africa or Internationally. Returning Seafarers will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. South African Seafarers wishing to join a vessel, should preferably self-quarantine for 14-days prior to embarking. It is further recommended that seafarers undergo a Covid-19 test prior to joining a vessel.
b) FOREIGN SEAFARERS
No foreign Seafarers will be permitted to embark or disembark vessels in South Africa, unless prior arrangements have been agreed upon between the seafarers’ Embassy and Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Department of Home Affairs and Department of Health.
c) MEDICAL EVACUATIONS
Medical Evacuations will be dealt with in accordance with Marine Notice 24 of 2020.
d) HEALTH DECLARATIONS
Masters, Seafarers and Ship Operators are to ensure that each individual seafarer, wishing to join or sign off a vessel completes a CREW HEALTH SELF-DECLARATION & DAILY TEMPERATURE RECORDS.
e) INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL
Restrictions may still apply in terms of international air travel. Ship Owners, Ship Operators, Ship Agents and seafarers should be aware that any restrictions or availability of Air Travel may still impose difficulties in international travel.
f) APPROVAL TO TRAVEL
Any seafarer wishing to travel internationally should request permission or request further information from the Department of Home Affairs at: Covid19Travel@dha.gov.za
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com)
Source: South African Maritime Safety Authority Marine Notice No.30 of 2020 dated 1 June 2020
