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The Panama Canal has commemorated the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of its expanded Canal.

In its Monthly Canal Operations Summary for June 2017, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) states that over the past 12 months, the Expanded Canal’s performance has exceeded nearly all expectations, as global trade routes have been redrawn and its positive impact has been felt around the world.

Notable milestones include:

• More than 1,500 Neopanamax vessels have transited the new locks. Containerships represent approximately 46.8% of traffic through the Expanded Canal, followed by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, which represent approximately 34.2% and 9.4%, respectively. Other segments such as bulk carriers, tankers, car carriers, and passenger vessels have also transited the new locks.
• Panama Canal tonnage has increased by 22.2% when comparing fiscal year 2016 to fiscal year 2017.
• On average, 5.9 vessels transited the Expanded Canal per day, surpassing original forecasts of two to three daily transits for the first year of operation.
• The ACP has welcomed 15 new liner services to transit the Expanded Locks, as shipping lines continue to reroute their services to take advantage of the economies of scale offered by the Expanded Canal.

For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com

For approximately one month, fender repairing and replacement works will be carried out at the seawall of Western Wholesale Food Market within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 17.418’N / 114 deg. 08.336’E
(B) 22 deg. 17.470’N / 114 deg. 08.320’E
(C) 22 deg. 17.492’N / 114 deg. 08.409’E
(D) 22 deg. 17.440’N / 114 deg. 08.424’E

The works will be carried out by one derrick lighter. One tugboat will provide assistance.

A working area of approximately 15 metres will be established around the derrick lighter. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the derrick 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.

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.98 οf 2017

The passage area within the limits of Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter has been re-arranged with effect from 6 July 2017 because of marine works associated with the construction of the Central – Wanchai Bypass Tunnel.

According to the Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.99 οf 2017, the Director of Marine has set aside an area as the passage area in Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter. The plan is available for inspection on request to the Director of Marine and it can also be inspected on the Department’s website: http://www.mardep.gov.hk/en/pub_services/ocean/lpf_tshelter.html

For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping,hongkong@gac.com