Hot Port News from GAC
14-Jan-2021
ANNUAL TARIFF INCREASE FOR CRUDE OIL & GAS TANKERS
Zueitina, Libya
VESSELS AT ANCHOR IN PORT
Singapore
MARINE SITE INVESTIGATION AT YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA ISLAND
Hong Kong
MARINE SITE INVESTIGATION AT HIGH ISLAND, SAI KUNG
Hong Kong
EXEMPTION OF VAT ON AGENCY FEES
Bangladesh
MARINE SITE INVESTIGATION IN TUNG CHUNG WAN
Hong Kong
GULF OF GUINEA RECORDS HIGHEST EVER NUMBER OF CREW KIDNAPPED IN 2020
Worldwide
UPDATED HEALTH PROTOCOL FOR TRAVELERS
Indonesia
NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENT: CREWING UPDATE
United Kingdom
Annual tariff increase for crude oil & gas tankers
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Zueitina, Libya
Towage and pilotage tariffs for crude oil and gas tankers calling at the port of Zueitina have increased by 5% with effect from 3 January 2021.
CRUDE OIL TANKERS
The first 30,000 MT of the DWT will be charged (100,121.600 LYD) and thereafter calculated at (384.000 LYD) per 100 tons.
GAS CONDENSATION TANKERS
(41.600 LYD) per 1 ton and a maximum charge for tanker (77,017.600 LYD).
Costs are adjusted by the new currency exchange rate stated by the Central Bank of Libya.
(For information about operations in Libya, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Arroban International Shipping Company – GAC network agent
Vessels at anchor in port
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Singapore
Pursuant to Regulation 9(2) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations, (Cap 170A, Rg 7, 2000 Rev Ed), the owner, agent, master or person-in-charge of a vessel at anchor must at all times have on board the vessel a sufficient number of men:
(a) capable of veering cable and keeping anchor lights burning; and
(b) for taking appropriate action in case of an emergency.
In the interest of ensuring navigational safety, the master or person-in-charge of every vessel at anchor in port are also advised:
(a) to ensure that a safe anchor watch is maintained;
(b) to constantly monitor his vessel’s and other anchored vessels’ positions for signs of anchor dragging, allision or of any risk of grounding;
(c) to keep the vessel’s engines on short notice and in a state of readiness for immediate use, in case of emergencies;
(d) to monitor for signs of adverse weather and tidal conditions developing;
(e) to ensure sufficient scope of anchor cable is paid out according to the prevailing circumstances and conditions;
(f) to ensure that there is sufficient swinging room for his vessel, while maintaining a safe distance from other vessels at all times;
(g) to maintain a continuous listening watch on the designated VHF channels for the respective sector where the vessel is anchored; and
(h) that the master remains responsible for the safety of his vessel at anchor and shall undertake all necessary measures to that effect, without undue delay. The master shall not hesitate to call for pilot assistance if warranted by the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
Vessels under active employment or undergoing repairs must have their full operational crew onboard. In all other cases, the Port Master requires, pursuant to Regulation 9(3) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port) Regulations (Cap 170A, Rg 7, 2000 Rev Ed), that at least half the number of officers, engineers and crew (or watchmen/security guards) or the minimum manning must be onboard at all times.
The master or person-in-charge of every vessel at anchor in port shall maintain a continuous navigational watch and comply with the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watch Keeping (STCW) Code Chapter VIII Section A-VIII/2 Part 3-1 S/No. 51.
In addition, master or person-in-charge of every vessel at anchor in port shall also be guided by the IMO Circular STCW.7/Circ.14 – “Guidance for Masters on keeping a Safe Anchor Watch”.
(For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.03 of 2021 dated 13 January 2021
Marine site investigation at Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Hong Kong
For approximately 2 months, marine site investigation works involving drilling of boreholes will be carried out in the following locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22° 13.609’ N 114° 06.571’ E
(B) 22° 13.597’ N 114° 06.579’ E
(C) 22° 13.589’ N 114° 06.559’ E
The works will be carried out by one jack-up barge and one work boat. One tugboat 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 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. 10/2021
Marine site investigation at High Island, Sai Kung
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Hong Kong
For approximately 2 months, marine site investigation works involving drilling of boreholes will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22° 20.990’ N 114° 21.192’ E
(B) 22° 20.990’ N 114° 21.216’ E
(C) 22° 20.982’ N 114° 21.216’ E
(D) 22° 20.982’ N 114° 21.192’ E
The works will be carried out by one jack-up barge and one work boat. One tugboat 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 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 area 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. 11/2021
Exemption of VAT on agency fees
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has ruled that, unless amended by Parliament, 15% VAT cannot be imposed on ship agency fees in foreign currency from abroad.
(For information about operations in Bangladesh, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: Uni-global – GAC network agent
Marine site investigation in Tung Chung Wan
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Hong Kong
For approximately 4 months, marine site investigation works involving drilling of boreholes will be carried out in the following locations (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22° 17.113’N 113° 56.081’E
(B) 22° 17.089’N 113° 56.073’E
The works will be carried out by one jack-up platform. One tugboat and one work boat will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 30 metres around the platform will be established. Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the four corners of the jack-up platform to indicate its position.
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 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. 2/2021
Gulf of Guinea records highest ever number of crew kidnapped in 2020
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Worldwide
In 2020, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) received 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide, in comparison to 162 in 2019. The incidents included three hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 vessels boarded. The rise is attributed to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported within the Gulf of Guinea as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits.
Globally, 135 crew were kidnapped from their vessels in 2020, with the Gulf of Guinea accounting for over 95% of crew numbers kidnapped. A record 130 crew members were kidnapped in 22 separate incidents. Since 2019, the Gulf of Guinea has experienced an unprecedented rise in the number of multiple crew kidnappings. In the last quarter of 2019 alone, the Gulf of Guinea recorded 39 crew kidnapped in two separate incidents.
Incidents in the Gulf of Guinea are particularly dangerous as over 80% of attackers were armed with guns, according to the latest IMB figures. All three vessel hijackings and nine of the 11 vessels fired upon in 2020 related to this region. Crew kidnappings were reported in 25% of vessel attacks in the Gulf of Guinea – more than any other region in the world.
Once kidnapped, crew are removed from their vessel and can be held on shore until their release is negotiated. The furthest crew kidnapping in 2020 occurred almost 200 nautical miles (NM) from land with the average kidnapping incident taking place over 60NM from land, according to IMB.
The rise in kidnapping incidents further away from shorelines demonstrates the increasing capabilities of pirates in the Gulf of Guinea. Given these developments, IMB advises vessels in the region to remain at least 250 NM from the coast at all times, or until the vessel can transit to commence cargo operations at a berth or safe anchorage…
…The increase in incidents against vessels underway within the Singapore Straits has continued since Q4 2019, with 23 incidents reported for 2020. Vessels were boarded in 22 of the 23 incidents. Although considered low level – i.e aimed at armed theft from the vessel – and tend to take place in the hours of darkness, one crew was injured, another taken hostage and two threatened during these incidents. Knives were reported in at least 14 incidents.
Armed robbery reports in Indonesia remained consistent with 26 low-level incidents reported in 2020, in comparison to 25 in 2019. Vessels continue to be boarded while anchored or berthed at Indonesian ports with two crew taken hostage and two threatened in 2020. The continued efforts of the Indonesian Marine Police are credited for maintaining the reduced levels of reported incidents.
The IMB PRC received zero incidents of piracy and armed robbery in 2020 for Somalia. While there were no recorded incidents, the IMB PRC warns that Somalia pirates continue to possess the capacity to carry out attacks in the Somali basin and wider Indian Ocean…
(For information about operations around the world contact the respective GAC office. Details may be found at www.gac.com)
Source: Extracts from International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (www.icc-ccs.org) update dated 13 January 2021
Updated health protocol for travelers
Thursday, January 14, 2021, Indonesia
In light of the new strain of SARS-CoV-2, Indonesia is introducing special provisions for foreign travelers to protect its citizens from imported cases. The valid period of health protocols has been extended, to 15-25 January, and new provisions added along with monitoring, control and evaluation.
According to COVID-19 Handling Task Force Circular Letter No.2 of 2021 dated 14 January 2021, entry of foreign nationals from all countries to Indonesia is temporarily suspended.
Foreign nationals from overseas who still can enter Indonesia during the border closures are:
i. Holders of Diplomatic Stay Permit and Official Stay Permit;
ii. Holders of Temporary Stay Permit Card (KITAS) and Permanent Stay Permit Card (KITAP).
iii. Foreigners with special considerations and permission in writing from the Ministry/Institution.
International travelers who are Indonesian citizens and any foreigners entering the country, either directly or in transit, must show negative results through the RT-PCR test in the country of origin from samples taken no more than 3 x 24 hours before departure time. Upon arrival, RT-PCR re-examination will be carried out. Indonesian citizens will be required to undergo five days’ quarantine in designated quarantine accommodation provided by the government. Foreign nationals will be placed in quarantine accommodation certified by the Ministry of Health to facilitate COVID-19 quarantine accommodation, at their own expense.
If the RT-PCR re-examination on arrival produce a positive result, treatment will be carried out in the hospital. The cost will be borne by the government for Indonesian citizens but for foreigners will be at their own expense.
After the five-day quarantine period, travelers will be re-examined. If the result is negative, they will be allowed to continue their journey.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Indonesia, contact Andhika GAC Indonesia at shipping.indonesia@gac.com
Negative COVID-19 test requirement: crewing update
Thursday, January 14, 2021, United Kingdom
From 04:00 on Monday 18 January all passengers arriving to England and Scotland must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within a 72-hour period before departure to be able to board a flight and granted entry to the UK on arrival. There is currently no such requirement for Wales or Northern Ireland.
Gibraltar also requires testing, however there is a facility for testing on arrival at Gibraltar airport using its fast 1-hour service.
Marine crew travelling with a valid seaman’s book (SID) will be exempt from this. Seafarers due to work on a vessel or who need to transit the UK to join or leave a vessel should show a valid Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) and do not need to present a negative COVID-19 result test prior to departure.
Offshore oil and gas workers need to take a coronavirus test before traveling. However, if they hold a valid SID, they could be deemed as a seafarer.
Crewing departments and/or travelers are urged to check with their local travel agent or airline on exact requirements to board a flight and be granted entry into the UK. Every airport may be operating slightly differently, so although seafarers would be legally granted access into the UK with relevant SID they could still potentially be stopped from boarding their flight if they don’t have a negative test.
For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com
