Hot Port News from GAC
01-Feb-2021
WORKS AT TUAS TERMINAL PHASE 2
Singapore
TERMINAL CLOSED
Buckeye Bahamas Hub, Bahamas
PORTS PREPARE FOR TROPICAL LOW
North West Australia, Australia
UPDATED RESTRICTIONS
Thailand
NEW CREW CHANGES GUIDELINES
Philippines
TANKER GROUNDED DURING TRANSIT
Suez Canal, Egypt
Works at Tuas Terminal Phase 2
Monday, February 1, 2021, Singapore
The working period for works at the Tuas Terminal Phase 2 has been extended. The work is now being conducted from today (1 February) to 31 July.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.007 of 2021, the works are being carried out 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01° 13.323’N / 103° 36.876’E
2) 01° 14.507’N / 103° 36.876’E
3) 01° 14.507’N / 103° 36.901’E
4) 01° 14.289’N / 103° 36.900’E
5) 01° 14.289’N / 103° 37.041’E
6) 01° 14.398’N / 103° 37.041’E
7) 01° 14.398’N / 103° 38.755’E
8) 01° 14.344’N / 103° 38.755’E
9) 01° 14.344’N / 103° 39.024’E
10) 01° 13.670’N / 103° 39.275’E
11) 01° 13.486’N / 103° 38.892’E
12) 01° 13.486’N / 103° 37.571’E
13) 01° 13.296’N / 103° 37.571’E
14) 01° 13.296’N / 103° 37.300’E
15) 01° 13.193’N / 103° 37.300’E
16) 01° 13.193’N / 103° 36.901’E
17) 01° 13.323’N / 103° 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 and not to 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 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
Terminal closed
Monday, February 1, 2021, Buckeye Bahamas Hub, Bahamas
Buckeye Bahamas Hub Terminal was closed at 22:42 hours local time last night (31 January) due to deteriorating weather conditions.
Terminal pilots will monitor weather conditions as another cold front is expected to pass. Adverse sea conditions are expected to be felt until the early morning of Wednesday 3 February.
(For information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Elnet Maritime – GAC network agency
Ports prepare for Tropical Low
Monday, February 1, 2021, North West Australia, Australia
Ports in North West Australia are bracing for Tropical Low 12U, which is overland about 150NM SSE and expected to shift westwards. If it moves offshore from the Pilbara coast, intensification to cyclone strength could be rapid. If it tracks inland with limited development, gale force winds are still possible near the Pilbara coast and heavy rainfall is very likely.
The ports of Port Hedland, Dampier, Port Walcott, Cape Preston, Varanus Island, Barrow Island, Onslow, are at Cyclone Alert Stage 3 – Clear Port.
The ports of Yampi Sound and Carnarvon are declared at ‘Prepare’ stage.
For information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Updated restrictions
Monday, February 1, 2021, Thailand
No permission to be granted at ports in Thailand for store and spare supply, crew change, ship inspection and any other activity not relating to cargo operations. Commercial flights are still not allowed.
For crew changes, on-signers crew are prohibited. The off-signing of crew is permitted, with restrictions. Off-signing arrangements can be made at Koh Sichang anchorage with 3 weeks’ lead time.
The following must be submitted to the Marine Department as follows:
- Copy of disembarking crew member’s passport
- Copy of disembarkation crew Seaman’s Book
- Ship particulars
- Crew list
- Port of Call
- Insurance coverage 100,000 USD
- Minimum Safe Manning Certificate
- Departure flight details
- Employment Contract
Documents should be submitted to the Marine Department at least 3 weeks before ship arrival.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Thailand, contact GAC Thailand at shipping.thailand@gac.com
New crew changes guidelines
Monday, February 1, 2021, Philippines
With reference to Resolution Nos.96 & 97 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), provided herewith are the guidelines on the conduct of crew changes effective 1 February 2021:
Both Filipino and foreign seafarers are allowed to disembark in any of the established crew changes hubs, notwithstanding the recorded port of calls of their ships, subject to the existing protocols of the One Stop Shop (OSS) for Seafarers.
All disembarking seafarers shall observe the following health and safety protocols:
Triaging
- Day from arrival: 0 (zero)
- Facility: OSS Triaging Facility
- UPR: BOQ
Quarantine
- Day from arrival: 0 (zero) until release of negative test result
- Facility: OSS-designated facility
- UPR: BOQ, OWWA & LMA
Testing
- Day from arrival: 6 (six)
- Facility: OSS-designated facility
- UPR: PCG & OSS-identified molecular laboratory
In this regard, seafarers and their Licensed Manning Agencies (LMA) must maintain close coordination with the OSS until the end of their quarantine period at the OWWA-designated facility.
After which, seafarers who yield a negative result from their COPVID-19 test shall be endorsed to their local government units of destination. Filipino seafarers returning to their provinces shall be strictly monitored for the remainder of their fourteen-day quarantine through their respective Barangay Health Emergency Response Team.
Other provisions under the Green Lane Program for Seafarers of the national government shall be in effect.
(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com)
Source: Philippines Department of Transportation Memorandum dated 30 January 2021
Tanker grounded during transit
Monday, February 1, 2021, Suez Canal, Egypt
A 97,220 DWT tanker ship ran aground due to engine trouble at 123 km of the Suez Canal while transiting from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, at about 13.40 hours local time today (1 February).
Suez Canal tugs were engaged to refloat the ship.
The grounded vessel was the last one in the Northbound convoy. No other vessels in the Northbound convoy were detained. However, all vessels in the southbound convoy were stopped until the Canal was cleared.
For information about operations in the Suez Canal, contact GAC Egypt at suezcanal@gac.com
