Hot Port News from GAC
17-Mar-2021
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CROSS BAY LINK, MARINE WORKS AT JUNK BAY
Hong Kong
DRAFT ADJUSTMENT FOR NEOPANAMAX LOCKS
Panama Canal, Panama
AMENDED PORT DUES & PILOTAGE TARIFFS
Krishnapatnam, India
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS
Philippines
PORT CLOSED BY BAD WEATHER
Shuaiba, Kuwait
DISCHARGE OF SHIP GENERATED WASTE
India
Construction of the Cross Bay Link, marine works at Junk Bay
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Hong Kong
For approximately 18 months, marine works involving construction of piers and viaducts will be carried out within the following Works Areas:
WORKS AREA 1
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22° 17.732’ N 114° 15.462’ E
(B) 22° 17.646’ N 114° 15.655’ E
(C) 22° 17.578’ N 114° 15.622’ E
(D) 22° 17.657’ N 114° 15.425’ E
WORKS AREA 2
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (E) to (K) and the adjacent shoreline:
(E) 22° 17.513’ N 114° 16.017’ E
(F) 22° 17.488’ N 114° 16.017’ E
(G) 22° 17.487’ N 114° 15.847’ E
(H) 22° 17.556’ N 114° 15.675’ E
(I) 22° 17.624’ N 114° 15.708’ E
(J) 22° 17.571’ N 114° 15.863’ E
(K) 22° 17.561’ N 114° 16.003’ E
The works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including dumb lighters and special purpose vessel. Tugboats and work boats will provide assistance. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 50 metres around each lighter will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the lighters.
A channel with a width of about 100 meters will be provided between the two Works Areas. The channel will be marked by lateral light buoys. The particulars of the buoys are as follows:
I) Red lateral light buoys at co-ordinates (B) and (C):
- Shape : Pillar
- Colour : Red
- Top Mark : Can
- Light Characteristics : Q.R
- Radar Reflector : Fitted
II) Green lateral light buoys at co-ordinates (H)and (I):
- Shape : Pillar
- Colour : Green
- Top Mark : Cone
- Light Characteristics : Q.G
- Radar Reflector : Fitted
Silt curtains extending from the sea surface to the seabed will be established within the works areas. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt curtains.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 2200 hours daily. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works areas 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.52/2021
Draft adjustment for Neopanamax Locks
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Panama Canal, Panama
Based on the present and projected level of Gatun Lake for the upcoming weeks, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announces that effective April 13, 2021, the maximum authorized draft allowed for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be 14.78 m (48.5 feet) TFW.
Vessels arriving with drafts over 14.78 m (48.5 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit past April 13, 2021, depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of transit. Otherwise, vessels will be required to trim or off-load cargo in order to be allowed to transit.
For further reference on future Gatun Lake level estimates, please refer to the following link: https://apps.pancanal.com/t/TI/views/GatunH2OIndicators/GatunWaterLevel?:isGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&:embed=y
The ACP continues to monitor the level of Gatun Lake in order to announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.
(For information about operations in Panama, contact GAC Panama at operations.panama@gac.com)
Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No. A-17-2021 dated 15 March 2021
Amended port dues & pilotage tariffs
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Krishnapatnam, India
Adani Ports & Logistics have published tariff amendments for port dues and pilotage at Krishnapatnam, to come into effect on 1 April.
For further details of the amended tariffs, as well as information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com
Temporary suspension of international arrivals
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Philippines
In light of efforts to prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 variants from other countries and a further rise in cases, the Philippines will limit the number of inbound international passengers/arrivals to 1,500 per day, and temporarily suspend the entry of foreign nationals and returning overseas Filipinos from 20 March to 21 April.
Exemptions will be made for:
Holders of 9(c) visas
Medical repatriation and their escort(s) duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
Distressed ROFs duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs
Emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases approved by the NTF COVID-19.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com
Port closed by bad weather
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Shuaiba, Kuwait
Vessel movements at Shuaiba port were suspended at 1930 hours yesterday (16 March) due to strong winds and high sea swell. The port remains closed since then.
For further updates and information about operations in Kuwait, contact GAC Kuwait at kuwait@gac.com
Discharge of ship generated waste
Wednesday, March 17, 2021, India
No vessel (Indian or Foreign flag) that comes to a port or place including anchorages in India is permitted to discharge any waste from onboard such ships, without express permission of the Director-General of Shipping unless the said vessel has come to the loading/unloading or passenger embarkation/disembarkation or offshore operations or towing operation or repairs in a repair yard, as the case may be.
With the exception that ships operating offshore for a long period of time are permitted to discharge only MARPOL Annex V operational waste to other vessels operating offshore (and not from any other vessels passing through the area) and returning back to the port subject to such vessels having a garbage management plan reviewed by any RO indicating the procedure for such collection, storage, segregation, taking into account availability of safe storage space and discharge to port approved vendor of shore reception facilities and also for submission of such activities on Swachh Sagar Portal.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Extract from Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, DGS Order No.12 of 2021 dated 17 March 2021
