Hot Port News from GAC
18-Feb-2021
LOCK KEEPERS’ & PORT WORKERS’ STRIKE ENDED
Saint-Nazaire, France
CONSTRUCTION & UPGRADING OF BARGE JETTY
Singapore
TRANSIT RESERVATION AND OMS FEES MODIFICATION
Panama Canal, Panama
Lock keepers’ & port workers’ strike ended
Thursday, February 18, 2021, Saint-Nazaire, France
Local lock keepers and port workers at Saint-Nazaire have this afternoon (18 February) ended their strike.
Work has resumed as normal at all terminals.
(For information about operations in France, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at hub.ae@gac.com)
Source: SEA-Invest Shipping Agency – GAC network agent
Construction & upgrading of barge jetty
Thursday, February 18, 2021, Singapore
From 22 February to 15 April, construction upgrading work will be carried out at the existing barge jetty at Pulau Sebarok.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.011 of 2021, the work will be conducted from 0800 to 1900 daily – including Sundays & Public Holiday – within the working area bounded by the following coordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
1) 01°12·460’N / 103°47·4655’E
2) 01°12·502’N / 103°47·445’E
3) 01°12·5135’N / 103°47·475’E
4) 01°12·475’N / 103°47·495’E
A crane barge assisted by the tugs, will be used for the construction and upgrading of concrete works and installation of jetty structural elements. A safety boat 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 work area;
b) Maintain a proper lookout;
c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 68 (West Control);
and
e) Communicate with West Control for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
Transit reservation and OMS fees modification
Thursday, February 18, 2021, Panama Canal, Panama
The Panama Canal announced that it will modify its transit reservation fees and other maritime services (OMS) in order to better respond to evolving market changes and manage its capacity in the face of growing demand.
Going into effect on April 15, changes to the transit reservation system fees are as follows:
BOOKING RESERVATION SLOTS:
Panamax Locks
Regulars: (less than 27.74 m (91 feet) in beam): $10,500
Supers: (Length overall (LOA) less than 274.32 m (900 feet) and a maximum beam of 32.61 m (107 feet)): $40,000
Supers: (Vessels with a LOA between 274.32 m (900 feet) and 294.44 m (966 feet), and a maximum beam of 32.61 m (107 feet)): $50,000
Neopanamax Locks
Vessels with beam less than 42.67 m (140 feet) (including Panamax Plus vessels): $70,000
Vessels with beam equal to or greater than 42.67 m (140 feet): $85,000
STANDARD AUCTION SLOTS:
The base or initial amounts for slots awarded through the regular auction process will be as follows:
For regular vessels, the base or initial amount will remain at $15,000
For supers, the base or initial amount will be $55,000
For Neopanamax vessels (including Panamax Plus) the base or initial amount will be $93,500
SPECIAL AUCTION SLOTS:
An additional slot for the Neopanamax locks will be offered through a special auction process. The dates and conditions under which this slot may be offered will depend on several variables, including vessel mix and other factors. The base or initial amount for the slots awarded through the special auction process will be $100,000.
As part of this continuous improvement process, these changes will help simplify the current structure and seek to reflect the value of the services provided by the waterway, including the reservation system, which ensures the certainty of transit on a given date.
The transit reservation system is an optional service offered by the Panama Canal that gives customers the possibility to transit on a specific date through the payment of an additional fee, thus guaranteeing transit. The rising demand for these slots has prompted the Canal to reflect the value of this service in tariffs to meet current demand and supply.
Also going into effect on April 15, the Panama Canal will modify other maritime services (OMS) provided by the waterway, including the transit related services fees for tugboats, line handlers and locomotives, as well as complementary services, such as vessel inspection, safety & security charge and Panama Canal Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (PCSOPEP) charges, among others.
(For further details, as well as information about operations in Panama, contact GAC Panama at operations.panama@gac.com)
Source: Panama Canal Authority (www.pancanal.com) press release dated 17 February 2021
