Hot Port News from GAC
01-Dec-2020
SHORE LEAVE FOR CREW WORKING ONBOARD VESSELS
Singapore
MARINE SOIL INVESTIGATION WORKS OFF MARINA EAST
Singapore
ANCHORING OF VESSELS AT TUAS VIEW EXTENSION OFF AVLCC
Singapore
2018 AMENDMENTS TO THE MARITIME LABOUR CONVENTION, 2006
Singapore
CURFEWS IN TURKEY
Turkey
PORT TARIFFS FOR 2021 / 2022
South Africa
COVID-19 – OMAN PORT UPDATES
Oman
SHORE LEAVE FOR CREW ONBOARD VESSELS IN SINGAPORE
Singapore
Shore leave for Crew working onboard vessels
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore has developed a framework for the lifting of Not-to-Land (NTL) status and granting of shore leave for crew working onboard visiting vessels (i.e. vessels in shipyards and pleasure craft) in the Port of Singapore.
Vessels which have been in port for at least 14 days are eligible to apply for the lifting of NTL and granting of shore leave.
The clearance process will involve all vessel crew undergoing cohort isolation1 for up to 14 days and the crew are required to take 2 negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests during this period. Vessels in port for at least 2 months will be given priority for lifting of NTL and granting of shore leave.
The owner/operator/agent of the vessel can submit the application via FormSG (https://form.gov.sg/5fbb1ccef5bd7600115acd13) from 01 Dec 2020. Please refer to ANNEX A for further details.
Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to shoreleave@mpa.gov.sg.
(For details and more information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.43 of 2020 dated 30 November 2020
Marine soil investigation works off Marina East
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Singapore
With effect from 01 Dec 2020 to 28 Feb 2021, marine soil investigation works will be conducted off Marina East at the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1° 17.570’N / 103°53.797’E
1°17.543’N / 103°53.838’E
1° 17.516’N / 103° 53.817’E
1° 17.488’N / 103° 53.858’E
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.094 of 2020 dated 1 December 2020, the works are being conducted 24 hours daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays.
Crafts involved in the operations will display the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
Soil investigation works will be carried out by means of marine drilling using a jackup barge. Tugboats will be used to shift the barge into position to carry out the work. The safety zone is a circular area of 30m radius centred at the location of the barge.
A safety boat will be deployed to warn other crafts about the works.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
a) Keep well clear and not enter the working area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 (East Control); and
e) Communicate with East Control for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Anchoring of Vessels at Tuas View Extension off AVLCC
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Singapore
With effect from 01 Dec 2020 to 1 May 2021, Bulk carriers will be anchoring and discharging sand at the break bulking slots at Tuas View Extension. The arrival and departure movements of bulk carriers will take place during daylight hours.
Works will be conducted off AVLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier Anchorage) at the following coordinates with a 225m radius (WGS 84 Datum):
Point ATWJ1: 1°13.172’N / 103°37.765’E
Point ATWJ2: 1°13.421’N / 103°38.460’E
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.093 of 2020 dated 1 December 2020, the works are being conducted 24 hours daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays.
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 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
2018 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore’s Shipping Circular No.18 of 2020 dated 30 November 2020 highlights the 2018 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). The Merchant Shipping (Amendments) Act 2020 implements the 2018 amendments of the MLC, 2006 and will enter into force on 26 December 2020.
The 2018 amendments to the MLC, 2006 enhance employment protection for seafarers held in captivity, where, in the unfortunate event, the seafarer(s) is held captive on or off a ship as a result of an act of piracy or armed robbery against the ship. During the period of captivity, the seafarer’s employment agreement (SEA) shall continue to have effect, regardless of whether the date fixed for the expiry of the Seafarers Employment Agreement (SEA) has passed or either party to the SEA has given notice to suspend or terminate it. Further, a captive seafarer’s wages and other entitlements under the SEA must continue to be paid during the period of captivity, until the day the seafarer is released and duly repatriated, or if the seafarer dies while in captivity, until the date of the seafarer’s death. The seafarer’s employer is also obligated to repatriate the seafarer upon release from captivity.
Review of SEA
MPA will not be revising the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Part I. However, shipowners are to review their policies, procedures and SEAs and any applicable collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance with the 2018 amendments.
Recognized Organizations (ROs) will be confirming compliance with the new requirements during their MLC inspections on or after 26 December 2020.
Any queries regarding this circular should be directed to the Seafarers Management Department (Email: mmo@mpa.gov.sg).
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Curfews in Turkey
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Turkey
A curfew will be imposed from 1 December 2020 until further notice to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Weekdays from 9pm to 5am
Weekends from 9pm on Fridays to 5am on Monday
During the curfews, there is NO restriction on cargo operations at the Turkish ports, crew changes and flights at this stage.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Turkey, contact GAC Turkey at turkey@gac.com
Port tariffs for 2021 / 2022
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, South Africa
At a virtual meeting held on 30 November, the chairman of the Regulatory Committee of the Ports Regulator of South Africa announced the changes to the port tariffs for 2021/2022.
After considering the application and the submissions made by all of the stakeholders during the consultation period, and based on latest available data, the Ports Regulator has concluded that an appropriate overall increase in average tariffs for the financial year 2021/22 is 0%.
In particular:
Marine services and related tariffs (Sections 1-8 of the Tariff Book, excluding Section 7 that deals with cargo dues) are to increase by 5%
Container (Full) export cargo dues to decrease by 10%
Container (Full) import cargo dues to decrease by 3%
Coal export cargo dues to increase by 5%
Magnetite export cargo dues to increase by 5%; and
All other tariffs are to remain unchanged.
In addition to the 0% tariff change allowed for during the 2021/2022 tariff year, the incentive for South African flagged vessels (in its final year) is retained and will be revisited in the next tariff application process. However, specific to the 2021/22 tariff year, and aimed at reducing the cost of doing business for entrants to the port system:
All licence fees will be reduced by 30%. All licence fees (Tariff) applicable per port for the tariff year 2021/22 can be paid in equal instalments on an annual basis over the period of the license.
Whilst the Regulator requires the National Ports Authority (NPA) to develop and introduce a system to target and support the SMME licence holders, especially Historically Disadvantaged Individual (HDI) and Women owned and/or managed businesses, this Record of Decision (ROD) on the license fees shall hopefully benefit small businesses that remains a key to sustainable job creation.
A further reduction in the existing discounts to non-cargo working vessels for the 2021/22 tariff year is included in the ROD with short stay vessels taking on bunkers, water or stores receiving a 60% discount. Other vessels not engaged in cargo including vessels not engaged in cargo working for the first 30 days only; bona fide coasters; passenger vessels; and some small vessels will receive an increased discount of 35% from the 25% allowed previously. More details are available in the ROD.
For details of the new tariffs, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com
COVID-19 – Oman Port Updates
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Oman
Covid-19 guidelines pertaining to ports in Oman & Duqm have been updated as follows:
Crew changes will be permitted subject to issuance of approvals/visas from the concerned authorities which will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Embarkation/Disembarkation of security advisors, technical personnel, superintendents etc. will be permitted subject to issuance of approvals/visas from the concerned authorities which will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
All incoming vessels have to follow/adhere to Ministry of Health/Ministry of Transport/Immigration/Port authority guidelines.
Supply of provisions/stores/spares etc. can be arranged subject to prior approvals from the concerned authorities.
Disembarkation of crew under medical grounds/medical evacuation can be arranged for which permits/prior approvals from the concerned authorities must be obtained after submission of required details/history/condition of crew.
All persons travelling to Oman through airport and/or land borders will have to undergo PCR test for COVID-19. Payment of OMR 25/- (USD 66/-) per pax/per test is applicable.
For information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
Shore leave for crew onboard vessels in Singapore
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore’s Port Marine Circular No. 43 of 2020 dated 30 November 2020 announces that it has developed a framework for the lifting of Not-to-Land (NTL) status and granting of shore leave for crew working onboard visiting vessels (i.e. vessels in shipyards and pleasure craft) in the Port of Singapore.
Vessels which have been in port for at least 14 days are eligible to apply for the lifting of NTL and granting of shore leave.
The clearance process will involve all vessel crew undergoing cohort isolation* for up to 14 days and the crew are required to take 2 negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests during this period.
Vessels in port for at least 2 months will be given priority for lifting of NTL and granting of shore leave.
*In cohort isolation, all crew must remain on board with no new crew signing on or transferred to the vessel. The crew are recommended to be isolated in different rooms during the isolation period.
Queries regarding this circular should be directed to shoreleave@mpa.gov.sg
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
