Hot Port News from GAC
31-Jul-2020
BERTHS TO CLOSE FOR MAINTENANCE
La Rochelle, France
SEASONAL MEASURES FOR BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG
Australia
PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE STORM IMPACT
Bahamas
TRAVEL POLICY DURING GRADUAL LIFTING OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Qatar
WORKS AT TUAS TERMINAL PHASE 1
Singapore
WORKS AT TUAS TERMINAL PHASE 2
Singapore
USE OF SCRUBBERS IN OMAN TERRITORIAL WATERS
Oman
HURRICANE ISAIAS
Bahamas
PORT RESTRICTED AHEAD OF HURRICANE
Buckeye Bahamas Hub, Bahamas
PROMULGATED DRAFTS AFTER DREDGING
Cape Town, South Africa
SELF-QUARANTINE PROVISIONS
South Africa
PORTS PREPARE FOR HURRICANE
Florida & Georgia, United States
SOUTHWEST PASS TRANSIT RESTRICTION
New Orleans, United States
Berths to close for maintenance
Friday, July 31, 2020, La Rochelle, France
La Rochelle port authorities have advised that, due to maintenance, both arms of the East and West berths of the oil terminal will be unavailable between 0001 hours on 18 August and 2000 hours on 19 August.
(For information about operations in France, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source : SEA-Invest Agency – GAC agent
Seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug
Friday, July 31, 2020, Australia
In response to the rapid expansion of Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in Europe and North America, Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has retained the seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB from arriving in Australia for the 2020–21 BMSB risk season.
The Department has used a range of scientific, intelligence and evidence-based information when setting the measures, including data collected from the 2019-20 BMSB season onshore verification activities.
The department has also worked closely with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the 2020-21 measures to ensure both Australia and New Zealand’s BMSB seasonal measures are consistent across the two countries (where possible).
For the 2020-21 BMSB risk season, heightened biosecurity measures will apply to:
Certain goods manufactured in, or shipped from target risk countries, and/or
Vessels that berth at, load or tranship from target risk countries.
The measures apply to goods shipped from 1 September 2020 that arrive in Australian territory by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
Goods shipped between 1 September 2020 and 30 April 2021 need to be treated and will be referred for intervention if they arrive by 31 May 2021 (inclusive).
For further details, go to https://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/before/brown-marmorated-stink-bugs
For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Preparation for possible storm impact
Friday, July 31, 2020, Bahamas
Officials in the Bahamas have outlined measures in preparation for the upcoming Tropical Storm Isaias, which has now strengthened.
Tropical Storm Isaias is now forecast to reach 70 knot sustained winds as it moves across the Bahamas. Thereafter, a less favorable environment will begin to slowly degrade the system, with weakening as it tracks near the US East coast and dissipation by the end of the forecast period as it passes the Canadian Maritimes. It is forecast to become a hurricane as it edges closer to South Florida today or tonight (31 July).
The track remains largely unchanged from the previous forecast, moving directly over Nassau and Freeport, but now is slightly shifted westward to include portions of the US East Coast in tropical storm force conditions.
(For further details and information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Elnet Maritime – GAC agent
Travel policy during gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions
Friday, July 31, 2020, Qatar
As part of the gradual lifting of restrictions imposed in the State of Qatar as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel policies have been reviewed and revised, effective from tomorrow (Saturday 1 August).
Arrivals from low-risk countries must take a Coronavirus test upon arrival at the airport, and to sign a formal pledge to adhere to quarantine at home for a week, noting that the traveller’s status on the Ehteraz application will be yellow, which means that they are required to quarantine. After the week has elapsed, the traveller must go to one of the dedicated health centres for another Coronavirus test. If the result is positive, the traveller will be transferred to isolation. If negative, the quarantine period ends at the end of that week and the traveller’s status on the Ehteraz application will change to green.
The list of low-risk countries will be published on the Ministry of Public Health’s website and announced by the Civil Aviation Authority, and will be reviewed every two weeks. If there are accredited COVID-19 testing centres in one of these low-risk countries, obtaining a COVID-free certificate from one of these centres exempts the traveller from taking the test at the airport upon arrival in the country, provided that the date of obtaining the certificate does not exceed 48 hours before traveling.
Arrivals from countries not included in the low-risk list and in which COVID-19 testing centres have been accredited are required to obtain a virus-free certificate from there no more than 48 hours before travelling. The arrivals must also adhere to the home quarantine for a week upon arrival in Doha while also following the policy and conditions applied to arrivals from the low-risk countries mentioned above.
Arrivals other countries not included in the low-risk list and in which there are no accredited COVID-19 testing centres must quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for one week, provided that hotel accommodation is booked through the “Discover Qatar“ website before arriving in the State of Qatar. After the week has elapsed, the ending of the quarantine period will depend on the result of a COVID-19 test. If positive, the traveller will be transferred to isolation. If negative, they will commit to home quarantine for another week, in which case the status on the Ehteraz application will be yellow and will then change to green after the week has passed.
For Qatari citizens, their spouses and children, and permanent residency holders:
They can travel outside the country and return at any time, while adhering to all the aforementioned procedures and according to the countries of arrival.
Patients receiving treatment abroad at the expense of the state of Qatar and their registered companions, and employees who are dispatched for work assignments, will be exempt from bearing the cost of the hotel, as the relevant body will cover the costs of the hotel quarantine if the traveller meets the conditions of the hotel quarantine, as explained in the statement.
For residents:
They will be allowed to return to the State of Qatar starting tomorrow (1 August). Residents’ entry will be organised based on a series of priorities, including public health indicators, the nature of the needs of the various government and semi-government sectors and humanitarian cases, and through submitting return requests for permits via the “Qatar Portal” website based on the above-mentioned priorities.
The employer shall bear the costs of the quarantine in the dedicated facilities for blue collar workers in the private sector and domestic workers at a nominal cost after obtaining the entry permit.
Workers in the various sectors should coordinate the dates of travel and return with their employers. Families and workers in the education sector must take the quarantine period into account when planning their return to the State of Qatar in order to avoid absence during the mandatory quarantine period, whether in the designated facilities or at home.
For more information regarding the process of issuing return permits to the State of Qatar, visit the Ministry of Public Health page on COVID-19 at https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/Pages/Countries-Classified-Low-Risk-of-COVID-19.aspx or contact the Government Contact Centre via the hotline (109).
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Qatar, contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com
Works at Tuas Terminal Phase 1
Friday, July 31, 2020, Singapore
The working period for works at Tuas Terminal Phase 1 has been extended. The works will now be conducted from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.050 of 2020 dated 30 July 2020, the works will be carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 1 deg. 15.650’N / 103 deg. 37.040’E
2) 1 deg. 15.650’N / 103 deg. 37.135’E
3) 1 deg. 15.608’N / 103 deg. 37.135’E
4) 1 deg. 15.608’N / 103 deg. 37.546’E
5) 1 deg. 15.542’N / 103 deg. 37.546’E
6) 1 deg. 15.542’N / 103 deg. 37.869’E
7) 1 deg. 15.608’N / 103 deg. 37.869’E
8) 1 deg. 15.608’N / 103 deg. 38.644’E
9) 1 deg. 15.678’N / 103 deg. 38.644’E
10) 1 deg. 15.678’N / 103 deg. 38.710’E
11) 1 deg. 15.440’N / 103 deg. 38.709’E
12) 1 deg. 14.550’N / 103 deg. 39.133’E
13) 1 deg. 14.398’N / 103 deg. 38.755’E
14) 1 deg. 14.398’N / 103 deg. 37.039’E
The works will include reclamation, dredging, soil investigation and shore protection removal.
Dredging work will be carried out by dredgers which are assisted by tug boats. The dredger will have a safety working zone of 70m radius centred at the dredger. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the hopper barges which are assisted by tug boats.
The soil investigation will involve borehole drilling and vibro-coring using jack-up barge. Tug boats will be used to shift the jack-up barges.
A safety boat will be on attendance to warn and direct craft in the vicinity to keep clear of 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 of the working area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and to navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 22 (Jurong Control);
and
e) Communicate with Jurong Control for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Works at Tuas Terminal Phase 2
Friday, July 31, 2020, Singapore
The working period for works at Tuas Terminal Phase 1 has been extended. The works will now be conducted from 1 August 2020 to 31 January 2021.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.051 of 2020 dated 30 July 2020, the works will be carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01 deg. 13.323’N / 103 deg. 36.876’E
2) 01 deg. 14.507’N / 103 deg. 36.876’E
3) 01 deg. 14.507’N / 103 deg. 36.901’E
4) 01 deg. 14.289’N / 103 deg. 36.900’E
5) 01 deg. 14.289’N / 103 deg. 37.041’E
6) 01 deg. 14.398’N / 103 deg. 37.041’E
7) 01 deg. 14.398’N / 103 deg. 38.755’E
8) 01 deg. 14.344’N / 103 deg. 38.755’E
9) 01 deg. 14.344’N / 103 deg. 39.024’E
10) 01 deg. 13.670’N / 103 deg. 39.275’E
11) 01 deg. 13.486’N / 103 deg. 38.892’E
12) 01 deg. 13.486’N / 103 deg. 37.571’E
13) 01 deg. 13.296’N / 103 deg. 37.571’E
14) 01 deg. 13.296’N / 103 deg. 37.300’E
15) 01 deg. 13.193’N / 103 deg. 37.300’E
16) 01 deg. 13.193’N / 103 deg. 36.901’E
17) 01 deg. 13.323’N / 103 deg. 36.901’E
The soil investigation works will entail seabed surface sampling and marine cone penetration test. Jack-up barges and crane barges will be used to carry out the soil investigation work. Tug boats will be used to shift jack-up barges and crane barges.
Self-Discharge Sand Carriers and Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) will discharge sand at the working area.
Dredging operations consist of TSHD, Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) and grab/backhoe dredgers dredging clayey/sandy/residual soils.
The reclamation works consist of transport and discharge of materials utilising TSHD, CSD, flat top barges, hopper barges, and conveyor barges.
The work will also involve caisson installation. Safety boats will be deployed to warn other craft in the vicinity 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 of the working area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and to navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 22 (Jurong Control);
and
e) Communicate with Jurong Control for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Use of scrubbers in Oman territorial waters
Friday, July 31, 2020, Oman
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, only CLOSED LOOP scrubbers may be used in the country’s territorial waters. If a vessel is equipped with a hybrid system, it should be switched to closed loop operation.
Visiting ships using a closed-loop scrubbers system must meet the following conditions:
Wastewater resulting from cleaning systems in Omani regional waters must not be disposed of
Wastewater should be stored on board of the ship until the ship leaves Omani waters or is disposed of in private facilities in Omani ports
Ships must maintain accurate records of wastewater
For information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
Hurricane Isaias
Friday, July 31, 2020, Bahamas
At 200 AM EDT (0600 UTC), the center of Hurricane Isaias was located near latitude 20.6 North, longitude 72.7 West. Isaias is moving toward the northwest near 18mph (30 km/h), and a generally northwestward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected for the next couple of days followed by turn toward the north-northwest.
Isaias is forecast to be near the Central Bahamas Friday night and move near or over the Northwestern Bahamas and near South Florida on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 80mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible today, and Isaias is expected to remain a hurricane for the next few days.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 240 miles (390 km).
A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3-5 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore winds in the central and northwestern Bahamas. Storm surge will raise water level by as much as 1-3 ft above normal tide levels in the southeastern Bahamas.
Tropical storm conditions will continue to spread across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos tonight and early Friday. Hurricane conditions are expected to begin in the central Bahamas Friday morning and spread into the northwestern Bahamas beginning late Friday. Hurricane conditions are expected within portions of the the northwestern Bahamas Friday night and Saturday.
Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Florida beginning Saturday.
Isaias is expected to produce the following rain accumulations through Friday night:
– Dominican Republic and northern Haiti: 4-8 inches, with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches.
– Bahamas, Turks and Caicos: 4-8 inches.
– Cuba: 1-2 inches, with isolated maximum totals of 4 inches.
These rainfall amounts will lead to life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides, as well as river flooding. Urban and small stream flooding is expected for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Hispaniola.
From Friday night through Monday:
– South Florida into east-Central Florida: 2-4 inches, with isolated maximum totals of 6 inches.
These rainfall amounts could result in isolated flash and urban flooding, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Swells generated by Isaias are affecting portions of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas. These swells will spread along the coast of Cuba and into the central and northwestern Bahamas later today and across the east coast of Florida on Saturday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
(For information about operations in the Americas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Extract from National Hurricane Center, Miami FL, Hurricane Isaias Intermediate Advisory No.12A issued at 2.00am EDT on Friday 31 July 2020
Port restricted ahead of hurricane
Friday, July 31, 2020, Buckeye Bahamas Hub, Bahamas
Buckeye Bahamas Hub went to Port Restricted status last night (30 July) to prepare for the approach of Hurricane Isaias.
(For information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Elnet Maritime – GAC agent
Promulgated drafts after dredging
Friday, July 31, 2020, Cape Town, South Africa
The Office of the Harbour Master is pleased to promulgate the drafts for the Port of Cape Town after completion of the dredging program.
You are kindly requested to take note of the following:
The depth of the water of the inner channel is 15.9m.
The maximum permissible draft at Chart Datum for vessels bound for the container terminal has been amended to 14.2m.
At all times, a 0.6m UKC must be maintained at any berth.
At all times, a maximum of 1m UKC at any stage must be maintained at all channels.
A LETTER OF INDEMNITY is required for any vessel docking into the Port with draft exceeding 14.2m docking into the Ben Schoeman Dock and 12.8m for the Duncan Dock.
(For information about operations in South Africa contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com)
Source: Transnet National Ports Authority letter dated 31 July 2020
Self-quarantine provisions
Friday, July 31, 2020, South Africa
The Health Directions published under Government Gazette No. 43533, Government Notice No. 796 of 17 July 2020 have been amended to allow returning persons to undergo their mandatory quarantine in their own place of residence, provided they adhere to outlined conditions…
…Travellers requesting to be self-quarantined will submit applications directly to the department 72 hours before their intended travel using an application form. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation will make the application form available to the traveller as part of the current processes followed for travel approvals. The form will also be made available on the departmental website for download. Once the application for self-quarantine has been approved, the traveler will be informed in writing of the approval. Approval for self-quarantine does not imply approval to travel. The existing approval processes for requesting travel to the country must still be followed.
Travellers who will need to undertake domestic travel to their residence of self-quarantine may be permitted to do so if they are in possession of a domestic air travel ticket.
Diplomats, officials of international organisations (e.g. United Nations, African Union, Southern African Development Community, World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross etc.) and their families who have been granted entry into the country are also permitted to self-quarantine on arrival and must be in possession of written communication indicating such.
Procedures to be followed
Travellers are required to submit their completed application to quarantine@healthpmo.co.za.
Upon receipt of the application for self- quarantined, it will be assessed by officials in the department and the outcome communicated to the applicant.
A list of all persons who have been granted approval for self-quarantine will be communicated to port health prior their arrival.
On arrival at the point of entry, all travellers must be screened.
The traveller must produce the written approval of self-quarantine to the port health official.
Persons who arrive at the point of entry without any approval must be placed under quarantine at a state identified facility using the current system of informing the Department of Public Works through the Border Security and Travel Restrictions Workstream.
No approvals will be granted on arrival at the port of entry, applicants must submit their requests within the stipulated time-frame.
Port health must ensure that only travellers in possession of a self-quarantine approval are allowed to proceed to their place of residence.
Port Health must coordinate with the port authority to identify a designated area where transportation of the repatriates who will be under self-quarantine will be picked up where required.
Port health must engage port stakeholders to ensure they are informed of the amended Directions and the changes to the quarantine provisions.
Regional Directors are requested to communicate the contents of this communique to all port health officials to ensure smooth implementation of processes.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com)
Source: Republic of South Africa department of Health letter dated 24 July 2020
Ports prepare for hurricane
Friday, July 31, 2020, Florida & Georgia, United States
Ports in Florida and Georgia have started setting port status in preparation for the possible impact of Hurricane Isaias.
Port Condition Yankee has been set at Savannah, X-Ray at Jacksonville and Tampa, and Yankee at Port Everglades.
For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
Southwest Pass transit restriction
Friday, July 31, 2020, New Orleans, United States
The Bar Pilots for the Port of New Orleans restrict vessels with a deep freshwater draft of Forty-Six feet (46′) or greater to transit 3 hours before to 3 hours after at high tide Pilottown.
This restriction becomes effective at 10OO hours CST on July 31, 2020.
Nothing in this restriction should be construed as limiting a pilot in the exercise of his judgment.
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: Associated Branch Pilots, Port of New Orleans, notice dated 31 July 2020
