Hot Port News from GAC
23-Oct-2020
SUSPENSION OF TRAFFIC FOR YACHT RACE
Bosphorus, Turkey
DEEP DEPRESSION OVER NORTHWEST BAY AND ADJOINING AREA
Bangladesh
CHANNEL OBSTRUCTION REMOVED
Beaumont, United States
ESSENTIAL VISITORS TO VESSELS
Norway
PROTOCOL FOR CREW CHANGES
Qatar
PORT CLOSED AND CURFEW EXTENDED AMID CONTINUING PROTESTS
Nigeria
Suspension of traffic for yacht race
Friday, October 23, 2020, Bosphorus, Turkey
Vessel traffic in the Bosphorus will be suspended from 11:55 to 18:00 hours local time on Thursday, 29 October, due to the International Republic Cup Yacht Race.
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits, contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
Deep depression over Northwest Bay and adjoining area
Friday, October 23, 2020, Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department yesterday advised the ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazaar, Mongla and Deep Sea to hoist the Local Warning Signal No.4 in light of the deep depression about 660 south-southwest of Chattogram Port.
Maximum sustained wind speeds and rough seas were reported within 48km of the centre of the depression.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and Deep Sea were advised to take shelter.
For information about operations in Bangladesh, contact GAC-Uniglobal at gac-uniglobal.bd@gac.com
Channel obstruction removed
Friday, October 23, 2020, Beaumont, United States
Sabine Pilots have reported that the rig obstruction in the channel was removed yesterday, 22 October and the US Coast Guard VTS is approving vessel movements on a case-by-case basis.
Operations are normal at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal. At the Cameron LNG Terminal, operations are also normal, subject to a 36’ draft restriction.
For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
Essential visitors to vessels
Friday, October 23, 2020, Norway
Service personnel, inspectors and surveyor from a “red” country (as approved by Norwegian Institute of Public Health) can now visit vessels at or off the country’s ports under the same terms as crew, provided their assignment is absolutely required for the operation of the vessel.
If their assignment is non-essential, they are subject to the general quarantine regulations ashore (ten days before entering vessel).
Information about protocols for crew changes can be found at https://www.sdir.no/en/news/news-from-the-nma/guidelines-regarding-seafarers-signing-on-and-off-ships-in-norwegian-ports/
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations, contact GAC Norway at norway@gac.com
Protocol for crew changes
Friday, October 23, 2020, Qatar
The following minor changes in the COVID-19 protocol for crew changes carried out onboard prior to calling Qatar:
RAS LAFFAN/MESAIEED/AL SHAHEEN
Should there be a recent crew change, the port may request for the swab test results taken at the time to crew change along with the captain’s declaration.
HALUL TERMINAL
All signing-on crew change must undergo 14 days’ mandatory quarantine at the crew change country prior to sign-on.
Swab tests must be conducted in the crew change country prior to calling at Qatar ports and documentary evidence should be submitted accordingly.
For information about operations in Qatar contact GAC Qatar at qatar@gac.com
Port closed and curfew extended amid continuing protests
Friday, October 23, 2020, Nigeria
Following ongoing protests and reports of a fire at the Nigerian Ports Authority HQ, Lagos port remains closed.
Meanwhile, the curfew has been extended to Port Harcourt in the Rivers State, where the port is witnessing low scale of operations. The same applies at Warri main port. A curfew has also been declared in Delta State where Warri Port is located.
Offshore terminals are not affected by the disruption and measures taken to counter it.
The protests have also reached Akwa Ibom State, prompting the Governor ordered a curfew from 9pm yesterday (23 October) until 12 pm today to see how the situation can be managed. Inshore and offshore port operations in Calabar, Qua Iboe, Antan, Yoho etc are affected.
For information about operations in Nigeria, contact GAC Nigeria at nigeria@gac.com
