Hot Port News from GAC
27-May-2021
MARINE WORKS IN WAN CHAI BASIN
Hong Kong
YAAS WEAKENING
Bangladesh
PORT RECOVERY AFTER CYCLONE
Pipavav, India
CREW CHANGES UPDATE
Oman
Marine works in Wan Chai Basin
Thursday, May 27, 2021, Hong Kong
For approximately three months, marine works involving demolition of existing seawall and construction of harbour steps will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (B) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22° 17.025’N / 114° 10.834’E
(B) 22° 16.965’N / 114° 10.857’E
The works will be carried out by one derrick lighter. One tugboat will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 15 metres around the lighter will be established. Yellow flashing buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the lighter.
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 area outside the hours of work.
A silt curtain, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established within the works area. 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 curtain.
Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during 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 and keep clear of the works area at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the area.
(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.89/2021
Yaas weakening
Thursday, May 27, 2021, Bangladesh
Cyclonic Storm Yaas [has] weakened into a deep depression over North Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand (near Lat 22.7 deg. N & Long 85.5 deg. E) at 06am today (27 May). It is likely to move north-northwestwards further and weaken gradually. Steep pressure gradient persists over North Bay and coastal areas of Bangladesh. Sea will remain rough.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazaar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number Three (R) Three.
The districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 50-60kph in gusts/squalls.
Under the influence of steep pressure gradient and the full moon phase, the low-lying areas of the districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram are likely to be inundated by 02-02 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice.
(For information about operations in Bangladesh, contact GAC-Uniglobal Bangladesh at gac-uniglobal.bd@gac.com)
Source: Bangladesh Meteorological Department Warning Message dated 27 May 2021
Port recovery after cyclone
Thursday, May 27, 2021, Pipavav, India
Cyclone Tauktae impacted Pipavav port adversely and has halted our operations temporarily. The loss of power supply and communication channels are still a challenge. We are trying our best to restore this on priority.
Find below the update on our restoration work at the port:
All our efforts are directed to initiate the port operations as soon as possible. Partial Marine Operations of Container will commence from 1 June at 00:001 hours.
Partial Non-Container operations resumed with effect from 26 May. Emails and System availability has been restored successfully.
All laden export reefers in container yard were powered using backup generators and temperature being maintained since the evening of 18 May.
Indian Railways has lifted the rail restriction at the port with effect from 24 May and rail container operation have commenced since Saturday 22 May. Fertiliser rake loading has commenced from 25 May.
Bathometric survey and the grid power survey is going on and is expected to conclude this week.
Powerpack with the capacity of 11 megawatt reached the port on 24th May and have been deployed from 27 May which will be able to power 3 QC cranes for container vessels and one Portal harbour crane for dry bulk vessel operations.
The main grid power supply is still a challenge and the Company continues to follow up with GETCO the power supply company for early resumption of power.
GPPL is endeavouring to restore all operations to normal at the earliest possible.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: APM Terminals Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited Customer Advisory dated 27 May 2021
Crew changes update
Thursday, May 27, 2021, Oman
Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority has advised that the period of pre-travel negative COVID-19 PCR test has been amended for long international flights (not less than 8 hours including transit) to be conducted within 96 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival in Oman.
The requirement for a negative COVID-19 PCR test for shorter flights is remaining to be conducted within 72 hours.
Omani Citizens who are tested positive after recovering from Covid-19 are allowed to travel to the Sultanate if providing proof that they have completed the prescribed quarantine period before taking the COVID-19 PCR test prior to departure to Oman.
Crew changes are permitted at Muscat, Port Sultan Qaboos anchorage/port is permitted on case-to-case basis. When planning a crew change at Muscat please provide us with the below documents/ information to approach the authorities to obtain necessary permission.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) PERMIT
ETA of vessel to Muscat
Vessel Particulars
Joining and leaving crew (2 separate crew lists only with joiners/ leavers)
Copies of e-tickets for both joiners /leavers
Last port & next port of call details.
Permit can take 3-4 working days excluding Friday/Saturday weekend.
SEA CREW VISA (FOR SHIP’S CREW)
Passport copy – Proper scan with minimum 6 months’ validity (for both joiners/leavers). For Indian nationals, we require the passport family details page. For Sri Lankan nationals, we require the passport page no 4& 5 (alterations and observation pages).
Seaman’s book copy – Proper scan and must state the designation/rank (for both joiners/leavers).
Photograph – Recent and in colour. Must not be the same photo as in the passport and must be in civilian clothing.
Visa issuance process can take 3-4 working days (excluding Friday/Saturday being the local weekend).
The situation is dynamic, and restrictions can come overnight.
Crew must arrive in the country and hotel quarantine until PCR results are available. PCR test results will be available within 24 hours. Once PCR test results are available (Negative) crew can join the vessel.
For off-signers, authorities prefer the crew to be directly transferred from vessel to airport. Alternatively, hotel can be arranged after obtaining necessary approvals.
PCR test for off signers can be arranged upon disembarkation and process will take 24-48 hrs to receive the results and travel certificate.
All direct flights from the United Kingdom (UK) are banned, except cargo flights, as is entry of passengers arriving from or in transit through the UK within the past 14 days.
There is also a ban on travellers arriving from or who have passed through India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and passengers during the 14 days prior to the request for entry.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Oman, contact GAC Oman at muscat@gac.com
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