Hot Port News from GAC
06-Jul-2020
SEAFARERS’ GREEN LANE OPENED
Philippines
FENDER REPLACEMENT AT THE CASTLE PEAK POWER STATION JETTY, TAP SHEK KOK
Hong Kong
NEW SOUTH WALES CLOSES BORDER WITH VICTORIA
Australia
UPDATE ON CREW CHANGES FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERS AT SRI LANKAN PORTS (COLOMBO & GALLE)
Colombo & Galle, Sri Lanka
CREW CHANGES NOW PERMITTED
Stanlow/Tranmere, UK
VESSEL TRAFFIC HALTED DUE TO FOREST FIRE
Dardanelles, Turkey
DRAFT INCREASE
New Orleans, United States
Seafarers’ green lane opened
Monday, July 6, 2020, Philippines
The Philippines has opened the first ‘green lane’ for seafarers in Asia to allow free movement of seafarers and personnel across borders.
The Joint Circular creating the ‘green lane’ covers seafarers, licensed manning agencies, shipping companies, airlines and other entities involved in facilitating the travel of seafarers for purposes of crew change and repatriation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It sets the minimum standards and process flows for each applicable scenario that all stakeholders should follow to facilitate the speedy and safe conduct of crew change or repatriation. It also aims to complement the existing standard health and safety protocols.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
Fender replacement at the Castle Peak Power Station Jetty, Tap Shek Kok
Monday, July 6, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 14 months, fender replacement works for the jetty will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent jetty:
(A) 22 deg. 22.158’N / 113 deg. 55.131’E
(B) 22 deg. 22.139’N / 113 deg. 55.110’E
(C) 22 deg. 22.345’N / 113 deg. 54.884’E
(D) 22 deg. 22.363’N / 113 deg. 54.902’E
The works will be carried out by one crane barge. One tugboat and one work boat will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 50 metres around the crane barge will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights and radar reflectors will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the crane barge.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 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.hongkoing@gac.com)
Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.95/2020
New South Wales closes border with Victoria
Monday, July 6, 2020, Australia
New South Wales (NSW) has closed its domestic border with Victoria due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria. Crew changes in the State are very difficult, as local approvals for crew signing-on/off vessels are very hard to obtain.
On Saturday (4 July) the Federal Government, at the request of the NSW Government, increased restrictions on international arrivals. Incoming passengers to NSW have been restricted to a maximum of 450 people per day and a maximum of 50 people on a single flight. This restriction will remain until 17 July at this stage, but it seems likely to be extended.
In Victoria, crew changes are possible. Local approvals are generally being granted but they are not coming through until very close to the scheduled crew movement.
Due to the recent outbreaks in Victoria, all international flights into Melbourne have been suspended until 14 July.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Update on crew changes for foreign seafarers at Sri Lankan ports (Colombo & Galle)
Monday, July 6, 2020, Colombo & Galle, Sri Lanka
The earlier communicated deadline for suspending foreign seafarer disembarkation at Sri Lankan ports (Colombo & Galle) has been extended until 12 July 2020.
All foreign seafarers must be repatriated by that date, after which no foreign seafarer will be allowed entry to Sri Lanka by sea or air until further notice.
After 12 July, only direct bulk crew transfers carried out through exclusive charter flights and embarkation/ disembarkation of Sri Lankan seafarers will be allowed.
Other husbandry services including dry docking, hot lay-up, launch services, ship spares logistics, supply of bunkers/ lubricants/ provisions/ fresh water, hull cleaning & underwater services etc. can be carried out in Sri Lankan waters without interruption.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, contact GAC Sri Lanka at srilanka@gac.com
Crew changes now permitted
Monday, July 6, 2020, Stanlow/Tranmere, UK
As part of the phased return to normal, from today (Monday 6 July), crew changes may take place at Stanlow and Tranmere waterfronts, provided that terminal restrictions for entry on and off site are still followed.
Off-signers are to be taken to waiting taxi to transport them direct to their pre-booked flight/hotel. They must carry their own bags. A maximum of two people are allowed per ISPS minibus with social distancing. More than one trip may be required.
On-signers need to have complete COVID Questionnaire from the government website (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules#seamen-and-masters-as-defined-in-section-3131-merchant-shipping-act-1995-maritime-pilots-as-defined-in-para-221-of-schedule-3a-of-the-merchant-shipping-act-1995-and-inspectors-and-surveyors-of-ships-appointed-under-section-256-of-the-merchant-shipping-act-1995) as well as the Stanlow Terminals Health Declaration (attached).
On-signers’ travel arrangements once in UK need to be pre-arranged and by taxi to minimize use of public transport.
Stores deliveries can take place via the jetty side as per store request form. All vehicles to be escorted by ISPS minibus to jetty, ship’s crew to assist with stores Jetty man to socially distance form stores and ship’s crew.
Two hourly SSSCL paperwork to still be completed electronically, but the jetty man can go on board ships deck only to complete safety walkabout (No entry to Accommodation block), socially distancing from ship’s crew. All approved visitors to ships need to complete Stanlow Terminals Health Declaration.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Uk, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com
Vessel traffic halted due to forest fire
Monday, July 6, 2020, Dardanelles, Turkey
Dardanelles vessel traffic has been suspended in both directions since 16.30 hours local time today (6 July), due to efforts to extinguish a large forest fire.
Updates will be given when available.
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Draft increase
Monday, July 6, 2020, New Orleans, United States
The Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association has advised that, based on current conditions, the maximum recommended freshwater draft has been increased to 47’ with immediate effect.
For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
