MARINE WORKS AT TSEUNG KWAN O Hong Kong |
POST TC DEBBIE STATUS UPDATE Queensland, Australia |
NEW VESSEL REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR WESTBOUND TRAFFIC Kiel Canal, Germany |
Marine works at Tseung Kwan O |
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Hong Kong |
For approximately 20 months, marine works involving dredging operation and seawall construction will be carried out within the area bounded by straight line joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (J) and the adjacent shorelines: (A) 22 deg. 18.078’N / 114 deg. 15.439’E (B) 22 deg. 18.075’N / 114 deg. 15.439’E (C) 22 deg. 18.062’N / 114 deg. 15.454’E (D) 22 deg. 18.025’N / 114 deg. 15.416’E (E) 22 deg. 17.808’N / 114 deg. 15.412’E (F) 22 deg. 17.781’N / 114 deg. 15.383’E (G) 22 deg. 17.773’N / 114 deg. 15.345’E (H) 22 deg. 17.786’N / 114 deg. 15.287’E (I) 22 deg. 17.813’N / 114 deg. 15.255’E (J) 22 deg. 17.827’N / 114 deg. 15.255’EThe works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including one dredger, two hopper barges, five dumb lighters, two tugboats and two work boats. 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 the dredger, barges and lighters will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the dredger, barges and lighters. 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. 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. Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work. Vessels engaged in the works 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 works area. (For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com) Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No. 51 of 2017 dated 3 April 2017 |
Post TC Debbie status update |
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Queensland, Australia |
Weather conditions are continuing to improve for the region following Tropical Cyclone Debbie last week. Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal: No vessels alongside. The port has now re-opened and the terminal is expecting to berth one vessel tomorrow. The terminal is only using one berth until further notice due to constraints shore side. Hay Point Coal Terminal: No vessels alongside. The port has now re-opened, but all berthing of vessels is postponed until further notice. 24 vessels have arrived and are waiting to berth/cargo. Gladstone: Commercial shipping movements were suspended by the Gladstone Regional Harbor Master on 30 March however the Port of Gladstone was not closed at any time. Severe weather resulting from Ex-TC Debbie has affected the region with very heavy rain leading to localised flash flooding throughout the district. Coal terminals in Gladstone have experienced some minor localised flooding however we understand all inloading and outloading systems are unaffected and operations are continuing as normal. It is understood that one or more shippers may have declared Force Majeure as a result of damage to the rail network servicing their mines. There may be further disruptions to coal supply from the mines due to the flooding and related issues. Flood alerts have been issued and are current for the region. According to national news reports, Blackwater Rail System will be up and running by the end of the week, Moura rail system will be out for “a couple of weeks”, Newlands will be out for 2-3 weeks, and Goonyella is worst affected with delays of five weeks expected. Coal mines: Peabody have claimed force majeure at mines Millenium, Moorvale, North Goonyella and Coppabella which export from DBCT. Rio Tinto have claimed force majeure at Hail Creek mine which export from DBCT. For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com |
New vessel reporting requirement for westbound traffic |
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, Kiel Canal, Germany |
With immediate effect, all westbound vessels entering German territorial waters must report their position two hours before arrival at Kiel Lighthouse to Kiel-Traffic VHF Ch.67.
(For information about operations in Germany contact GAC the GAC UK Hub Agency Centre at hub.gb@gac.com) Source: Sartori & Berger, Germany – GAC agent |