Hot Port News from GAC
18-Dec-2020
MARINE SITE INVESTIGATION AT YI O, LANTAU ISLAND
Hong Kong
OPENING HOURS OF CENTRAL MARINE OFFICE
Hong Kong
CIRCULARS RELATED TO DRY BULK CARRIERS, CONTAINER SHIPS & CRUDE OIL TANKERS
Suez Canal, Egypt
REMOVAL OF MANDATORY QUARANTINE
India
WAIVER OF MARITIME SERVICES PORT CHARGES FOR SHIPS TAKING BUNKER SUPPLY AT OUTER ANCHORAGE
Cochin, India
MARITIME SERVICES CHARGES RATE REVISED
Cochin, India
2020 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS ARRANGEMENT
Takoradi, Ghana
REVISION OF LNG LOADING PORT CHARGES
Qalhat, Oman
NEW CREW CHANGE PROCEDURE
Brazil
CONTAINER SHIP GROUNDED DURING TRANSIT
Suez Canal, Egypt
Marine site investigation at Yi O, Lantau Island
Friday, December 18, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 3 months, marine site investigation works involving drilling of boreholes will be carried out in the following locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22° 14.253’N 113° 51.061’E
(B) 22° 14.253’N 113° 51.068’E
(C) 22° 14.237’N 113° 51.094’E
(D) 22° 14.225’N 113° 51.113’E
(E) 22° 14.222’N 113° 51.119’E
The works will be carried out by one jack-up barge. One tugboat and one work boat will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 20 metres around the barge will be established. Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the four corners of the jack-up barge to indicate its position.
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 stay in the works location outside 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.
(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.179/2020
Opening Hours of Central Marine Office
Friday, December 18, 2020, Hong Kong
The Central Marine Office (“CMO”), located at 3/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, will open from 0900 hours to 1100 hours on 25 December 2020 (Friday) for processing arrival and port clearance of all vessels.
For enquiries, please call the Officer-in-charge of CMO at 2852 3082.
(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.173/2020
Circulars related to dry bulk carriers, container ships & crude oil tankers
Friday, December 18, 2020, Suez Canal, Egypt
The Suez Canal Authority has decided that Circular No.3/2017 concerning Dry Bulk Vessels operating between Republic of South Africa ports and ports north of the Mediterranean Sea (including Black Sea ports), shall remain in force until 30 June 2021 after amending (para 2 of “Article One”) to read as follows:
QUOTE…
Laden or ballast “Dry Bulk” vessels coming from (or heading to) Republic of South Africa ports shall be granted the following rebate percentages:
1) 45% in case the vessel is heading to (or coming from) Iskenderun port (Turkey) or its western ports till Marmaris port (Turkey).
2) 55% in case the vessel is heading to (or coming from) northern and western ports of Marmaris port (including Black Sea ports) till Gibraltar port.
This periodical is applicable to “Dry Bulk” vessels (laden or ballast) sailing from “origin ports” from 1 January 2021 till the 30 June 2021.
…UNQUOTE.
Suez Canal Authority has also decided that circular (3/2020) and its amending periodicals issued on 30 April 2020, 15 June 2020 and 27 September 2020, concerning container ships coming from ports in the North West of Europe (and Tangier port) till Algeciras port and heading to (Port Klang) and its Eastern ports at South East of Asia and the Far East, shall remain in force until 31 March 2021. The last permissible sailing date from port of origin is 31 March 2021.
Further, the Authority has decided that circular no. 03/2016 and its amending periodicals issued on 12 November 2019 and 27 September 2020, concerning VLCCs (of DWT more than 250,000 tons) that transit the Suez Canal after discharging part of their cargo in “SUMED” pipeline on their round trip coming from the Arabian Gulf, heading to the American Gulf or the Caribbean zone, shall remain in force till 30 June 2021. The last permissible date for VLCCs to transit the Suez Canal is 30 June 2021.
For further details and information about operations in the Suez Canal, contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com
Removal of mandatory quarantine
Friday, December 18, 2020, India
The Directorate General of Shipping had issued instructions to all major and minor ports for dealing with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Para 12 to 16 of the said order provided instructions with regards to vessels arriving from ports of infected countries identified for mandatory quarantine and travel ban by the Health &Family Welfare (MoHFW), Govt. of India before 14 days of departure from the infected port.
Representation have been received from stakeholder to review the DGS Order 04 of 2020 to remove the mandatory quarantine period of 14 days, so that the vessels are not required to wait for their berthing turn.
In view of the difficulties expressed by the stakeholders, it has been decided that the mandatory quarantine period of 14 days mentioned at Para 13 of the DGS Order 04 of 2020 shall not be insisted. Further, if any of the crew member of vessels that have not completed 14 days from the last port of call are required to disembark from the vessel, the following would be complied with in addition to the requirements specified in the Standard Operating Procedures [SOP] issued by this Directorate from time to time;
The shipping companies or their agents shall make arrangements for RT-PCR testing of all such crew disembarking from such vessels in coordination with concerned port & health authorities.
Such crew member shall test negative by RT-PCR for COVID-I9 before disembarking from the ship.
Such crew member shall agree to self-monitor their health and report to relevant authorities if suffering from any sign, or symptoms suggestive of COVID.
Such crew member shall comply with the laid down guidelines on physical distancing, hand hygiene and use of masks.
Such crew member shall minimize their contact with the general public.
All other provisions of the said DGS Order No. 04 of 2020 will continue to be applicable.
In addition, measures prescribed by MoHFW, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, World Health Organization, International Maritime Organization and this Directorate shall continue to be complied with as applicable.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Director General of Shipping DGS Order No.35 of 2020 dated 17 December 2020
Waiver of Maritime Services port charges for ships taking bunker supply at outer anchorage
Friday, December 18, 2020, Cochin, India
Port charges for vessels calling at anchorage for Maritime Services such as crew change, bunkering, ship stores, ship repairs etc. have been implemented in Cochin port w.e.f. 15.10.2020 vide Trade Circulars dated 05.10.2020 and 10.12.2020 subject to approval of Tariff Authority for Major Ports.
The Board of Trustees of Cochin has resolved to approve the waiver of Port Charges for ships taking bunker supply at the outer anchorage of Cochin Port. This waiver would also apply if the ships avail of multiple services at the anchorage provided the vessel also takes bunker supply at Cochin Port during that call.
This waiver would apply for a period one year with effect from 26.11.2020.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Cochin Port Trust Trade Circular dated 17 December 2020
Maritime services charges rate revised
Friday, December 18, 2020, Cochin, India
Kindly refer to the Trade Circular dated 05.10.2020 informing the trade about the introduction of Port Charges w.e.f. 15.10.2020 for vessels calling at outer anchorage for maritime services such as crew change, bunkering, ship stores, ship repairs etc. at a rate of Rs. 5500 /- per hour or part thereof (irrespective of the size/category of the vessel) on ad-hoc basis.
As per the directions of the Tariff Authority for Major Ports, the above rate has now been revised and separate rates have been fixed for Coastal and Foreign vessels as per the coastal concession policy of the Government with the approval of the COPT Board. The revised rates are given below:
Port Charges for vessels calling at outer anchorage for maritime services such as crew change, bunkering, ship stores, ship repairs etc.
Charges for vessels calling at outer anchorage for maritime services:
- Coastal vessels: Rs. 3,300.00 per hour or part
- Foreign vessels: USD 73.3 per hour part thereof
Note:-
i. The charges will apply from the time of letting go of anchor to anchor aweigh and in the case of the ships not anchoring, it will apply from the time the vessel arrives at the designated position to the time it completes the service.
ii. This charge is in addition to the anchorage charges & tug hire charges which are separately notified in the Scale of Rates.
Accordingly, in supersession of the earlier circular dated 05.10.2020, the above revised ad-hoc charges will be applicable with effect from 26.11.2020 and are subject to approval of the Tariff Authority for Major Ports.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Cochin Port Trust Trade Circular dated 10 December 2020
2020 Christmas holidays arrangement
Friday, December 18, 2020, Takoradi, Ghana
The Port of Takoradi shall be closed to traffic from 0600 hours on Friday 25 December 202O to 0500 hours on Saturday 26 December 2020.
Consequently, there shall be no vessel movement (berthing and sailing) or cargo handling activity in the port during the specified period, except in emergency.
Vessel movements and stevedoring operations shall resume at 0600 hours and 0700 hours respectively on Saturday 26 December 2020.
All licensed port operators whose facilities/offices are located within and around the port are advised to ensure that ADEQUATE SAFETY, FIRE PREVENTION / PROTECTION & SECURITY MEASURES are maintained during the period. All air conditioners and electrical gadgets, not in use, shall be switched off.
Frequent fire patrols / rounds MUST be carried out by standby men on duty.
Appropriate permits, such as for HOT WORKS, shall be obtained prior to commencement of any work from the Director of Port’s outfit and monitored by the Port Fire & Safety Department.
(For information about operations in Ghana, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Port of Takoradi, Notice No.HM.1557/Vol.9/432 dated 17 December 2O2O
Revision of LNG loading port charges
Friday, December 18, 2020, Qalhat, Oman
Port charges for loading LNG tankers loading at Qalhat, Oman, with effect from 1 January, 2021, will be USD 117,482.
The payment due date for port charges invoices will be on the 8th Banking Day after receipt of invoice, as per the SPA. In case of delay in payment, interest charges will be calculated and invoiced as per the SPA.
For information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
New crew change procedure
Friday, December 18, 2020, Brazil
The Brazilian Authorities have published new instructions/procedures for the arrivals coming into the country from abroad.
From 30 December, all the arrivals, Brazilian or foreign, should present the following documentation to the airline responsible for the flight before boarding:
Document proving laboratory tests (RT-PCR) for infection by SARS-CoV-2, with a negative / non-reactive result, performed 72 hours prior to boarding time;
Present the Health Declaration filled out (printed or digitally) with the agreement on the sanitary measures that must be complied with during the period in the country.
In cases of non-compliance with the new procedure, the Immigration or health authority may prevent the entry into national territory.
For information about operations in Brazil. Contact GAC Brazil at brazil@gac.com
Container ship grounded during transit
Friday, December 18, 2020, Suez Canal, Egypt
A 199,744 DWT container ship ran aground at 85km of the Suez Canal at about 11.30 hours local time today (18 December) while transiting in southern direction, en route from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.
The vessel was number 7 in the southbound convoy with a total of 31 vessels. The six vessels ahead of it were not affected, but the 24 behind it were detained.
The northbound convoy was unaffected and continued its transit.
Two Suez Canal tugs were engaged immediately to refloat the ship.
No damages or pollution has been reported as yet.
For information about operations in the Suez Canal, contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com
