Hot Port News from GAC
02-Jun-2020
WORKS OFF WEST COAST PARK
Singapore
PORT PREPARES FOR CYCLONE NISARGA
Mumbai, India
TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN EXTENSION PROJECT MARINE WORKS OFF PAK MONG, LANTAU ISLAND
Hong Kong
SUBMARINE OUTFALL INSPECTION WORKS OFF ABERDEEN
Hong Kong
UPDATE ON CREW CHANGES FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERS
Sri Lanka
PORTS BRACE FOR CYCLONE NISARGA
Maharashtra & Gujarat, India
CYCLONE ALERT
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, India
CHANGES TO PERMITTED FLIGHTS
Greece
BORDERS STILL CLOSED
Ghana
Works off West Coast Park
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Singapore
From 1 June to 30 September 2020, works are underway off West Coast Park, within the working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01 deg. 17.817’N / 103 deg. 45.635’E
2) 01 deg. 17.809’N / 103 deg. 45.644’E
3) 01 deg. 17.802’N / 103 deg. 45.637’E
4) 01 deg. 17.808’N / 103 deg. 45.627’E
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.032 of 2020 dated 1 June 2020, the works are being conducted 24 hours daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays.
Works include repairing and painting of structures for west coast park promenade lookout jetty. A safety boat will be in attendance to warn and direct craft in the vicinity to keep clear of the working area.
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
a) Keep well clear and not to enter the work area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 25 (Pasir Panjang Control);
and
e) Communicate with Pasir Panjang Control for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Port prepares for Cyclone Nisarga
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Mumbai, India
In view of the developing low pressure in the Arabian Sea, which is expected to pass close to Mumbai and make landfall near the north coast of Maharashtra at pm hours on 3 June 2020:
Plan to shift out of all vessels (excluding dumb barges and small craft by 1500 hours 02.06.2020
All inward movement (except small vessels) to be suspended from 1500 hours on 01.06.2020 onwards
All vessels inside ID and Bunder area to double-up mooring and keep engines ready on short notice
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Mumbai Port Trust Marine Department notice
Tung Chung New Town extension project marine works off Pak Mong, Lantau Island
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 12 months, marine works involving reclamation, sand filling, deep cement mixing, drilling of boreholes, pile driving, laying of sand blankets, seawall and breakwater construction, drainage box culvert construction, barging operations, water monitoring, hydrographic survey and diving operations will be carried out within the following areas:
WORKS AREA 1
Bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (J) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 17.714’N / 113 deg. 56.690’E
(B) 22 deg. 17.828’N / 113 deg. 56.710’E
(C) 22 deg. 17.976’N / 113 deg. 56.930’E
(D) 22 deg. 18.148’N / 113 deg. 57.104’E
(E) 22 deg. 18.320’N / 113 deg. 57.278’E
(F) 22 deg. 18.503’N / 113 deg. 57.593’E
(G) 22 deg. 18.259’N / 113 deg. 58.006’E
(H) 22 deg. 18.081’N / 113 deg. 58.085’E
(I) 22 deg. 18.101’N / 113 deg. 58.149’E
(J) 22 deg. 17.996’N / 113 deg. 58.147’E
WORKS AREA 2
Bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (K) to (N) and the adjacent shoreline:
(K) 22 deg. 18.171’N / 113 deg. 58.538’E
(L) 22 deg. 18.220’N / 113 deg. 58.351’E
(M) 22 deg. 18.376’N / 113 deg. 58.529’E
(N) 22 deg. 18.371’N / 113 deg. 58.733’E
Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid at co-ordinates (B), (D), (F), (G) and (I) to mark the boundary of the Works Area 1, and (L) and (M) to mark the boundary of the Works Area 2.
Silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established around the boundaries of the works areas. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt curtains.
The works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including flat top barges, derrick lighters, deep cement mixing barges, jack-up platforms, hopper barges, grab dredgers, ro-ro barges and crane barges at various stage. Some self-propelled delivery barges, tugboats, cement barges, work boats, landing pontoons and bunker barge will provide assistance. The numbers of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 50 metres will be established around each working vessel. Yellow markers buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the working vessels.
Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the corners of the jack-up platforms to indicate the positions of the platforms.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 2300 hours including Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works areas outside the hours of work.
Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear of the works areas at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the areas.
(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.72/2020
Submarine outfall inspection works off Aberdeen
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 2 weeks, submarine outfall inspection works will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22 deg. 14.803’N / 114 deg. 08.487’E
(B) 22 deg. 14.786’N / 114 deg. 08.517’E
(C) 22 deg. 14.740’N / 114 deg. 08.485’E
(D) 22 deg. 14.758’N / 114 deg. 08.456’E
The works will be carried out by one work boat and one survey vessel. One guard boat will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 25 metres around the work boat will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the work boat.
The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will not stay in the works area outside the hours of work.
Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear of the works area at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the works area.
(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.73/2020
Update on crew changes for foreign seafarers
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Sri Lanka
The process for conducting crew changes for foreign seafarers in Sri Lanka is currently being finalised, and the government has appointed a Private Public Partnership to assist ship agents in this regard.
Under the new process, PCR tests will be conducted on all foreign crew members, and they will stay at an isolation centre until results are received and their onward repatriation via sea/airport to vessel or departure flight.
A prior notice of 72 hours is required for any seafarer arriving in Sri Lanka for a crew change.
Signing-on crew arriving by air must undergo a PCR test within the 5 days prior to their flight departure, with a negative result. The crew member should not stay more than 5 days in Sri Lanka awaiting the arrival of their vessel.
Signing-off crew from the ship must be certified by the vessel Master as not having fever or other COVID-19 symptoms. Crew to disembark no more than 7 days prior to their scheduled repatriation flight.
The final process and guidelines are still being finalised. GAC Sri Lanka will advise of its progress, hopefully by the end of the week, and can facilitate and coordinate the entire process in Sri Lanka.
Bulk crew changes via chartered flights and emergency medical evacuations are currently permitted. Approvals are given on a case-by-case basis.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, contact GAC Sri Lanka at srilanka@gac.com
Ports brace for Cyclone Nisarga
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Maharashtra & Gujarat, India
Tropical Cyclone NISARGA is headed for the Maharashtra coast, due to make landfall on 3 June, close to Mumbai. NISARGA is very likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours and further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during subsequent 12 hours.
The cyclone is expected to intensify over the next 24 hours, riding on conducive ocean temperatures. However, it is not expected to be stronger than a Category 1 storm. Given wind gusts and a storm surge, even a Category 1 storm might be enough to wreak severe havoc on the city. The monsoon is set to reach the city around 10 June.
The depression over the east-central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of 11kmph during past 6 hours intensified into a deep depression and lay centered at 0530 hours IST today (2 June) over the east-central Arabian Sea near latitude 15.0 N and longitude 71.2 E about 280km west-southwest of Panjim (Goa), 490km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 710km south-southwest of Surat (Gujarat).
The depression is likely to move northwards till today and then re-curve north-northeastwards and cross north Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts during tomorrow afternoon, which is when it is likely to make landfall. The entire region between Daman (near Gujarat) and Harihareshwar in Raigad as well as some inland districts of Maharashtra, stand to be affected.
The wind speed is expected to be 105-115kmph gusting to 125kmph over the east-central and northeast Arabian Sea along and off the Maharashtra coast. Sea conditions will be very rough and high to very high over the east-central Arabian Sea in this duration. It will bring heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and the south Gujarat region on 3 & 4 June.
A storm surge as high as two metres above the astronomical tide will inundate the low-lying coastal areas of Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts during the landfall.
Mumbai and neighbouring districts have been placed on high alert.
All Ports along the coast continue keeping hoisted warning signal DC-I.
Below are updates for ports in the cyclone’s path:
MUMBAI:
Port has suspended all inward movements and plans to shift out vessels by today.
JNPT:
All inward movements suspended. Vessels at berth to be sailed out by 2300 hours today.
DAHEJ/HAZIRA:
Vessel/Port operations normal.
SIKKA/PIPAVAV:
Vessel/Port operations normal.
KANDLA/MUNDRA:
Vessel/Port operations normal.
MORMUGOA:
Vessel/Port operations normal.
For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Cyclone alert
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, India
IMD has issued cyclone warning for the area and JNPT is likely to experience heavy weather and sustained high wind speeds of 50-60 knots. The following steps are being implemented to mitigate the impact of the cyclone on port property and ships in JNPT waters.
It is planned to sail out all berthed vessels by 2300 hours on 2 June 2020 after completion of cargo work.
All inward movements will be suspended til easing out of weather conditions.
All dredging related crafts are to shift to sheltered waters in Mora/Belapur Creek/high seas as the case may be.
The crafts engaged in the construction activities of MTHL Package 2 of Daewoo Tata are advised to secure alongside their respective berth at Retibunder/Ulwe.
All ships anchored in the outer anchorage Bravo East/West are herby advised to take all necessary steps for their safety which includes steaming out to high seas. These vessels are to inform all the stakeholders.
All Ambuja vessels which are presently anchored in JNPT waters are to shift to Ambuja Jetty or high seas.
ONGC Nhava base must ensure sailing out all OSVs at berth by 2300 hours on 2 June 2020.
All Terminals to secure their cargo gear and other related equipment and ensure compliance of heavy weather contingency plan.
Passenger Launch service from Ferry Wharf to JNPT suspended w.e.f. 1800 hours of 2 June, 202, til further notice.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust circular No.JNP/Marine.DV/Circ./2020/169 dated 2 June 2020
Changes to permitted flights
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Greece
The Hellenic Aviation Authority has extended the temporary refusal of entry to the country for non-EU nationals until 15 June.
All passenger flights from/to Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Albania and North Macedonia are postponed until 23.59 hours on 14 June.
All flights from/to Turkey and the UK are postponed until 15.00 hours on 15 June.
Further, the 14 days’ quarantine has been amended to 7 days in case of a negative COVID-19 test result.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Greece, contact GAC Greece at greece@gac.com
Borders still closed
Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Ghana
Despite the easing of restrictions on gatherings, Ghana’s borders remain closed to any movement of people until 3 July, except for the repatriation of Ghanaian nationals.
(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 Group, Ghana – GAC agent
