Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* United States, all ports – Ballast water: Alternative Management Systems
* United Arab Emirates, Dubai – New anchorage charges
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Marine site investigation SE of the River Trade Terminal
* Panama, Panama Canal – Locks lane outage for dredging
DATE: May 29, 2013
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: all ports
Ballast water: Alternative Management Systems
The United States Coast Guard has released a list of accepted Alternative
Management Systems (AMS) for Ballast Water Treatment. In accordance with
the California Public Resource Code and California Code of Regulations,
vessels may manage ballast water using an alternative, environmentally
sound method approved by the California State Lands Commission or the USCG
as being at least as effective as ballast water exchange, using mid-ocean
waters, in eliminating nonindigenous species.
As any USCG accepted AMS must demonstrate efficacy at least as effective as
mid-ocean exchange, used of such accepted systems for the treatment of
ballast water prior to discharge within California waters shall qualify as
being in accordance with the Public Resource Code and therefore may be used
in place of ballast water exchange.
Vessels using USCG accepted AMS in California waters must indicate the
specific system used on the Ballast Water Reporting form. Vessels
discharging ballast treated with USCG accepted AMS in California waters
must also fill out the “Ballast Water Treatment Technology Annual
Reporting” form and the “Ballast Water Treatment Supplemental Reporting”
form.
Installation or use of an USCG accepted AMS does not waive a vessel’s
requirement to meet the California Code of Regulations ballast discharge
performance standards. Vessels with such AMS in place will still be subject
to California’s Performance Standards for Ballast Water Discharges, and
once the regular goes into effect, it will be incumbent on the vessel to
comply with the discharge standards.
For further details and information about operations in the USA contact GAC
USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: May 29, 2013
COUNTRY: United Arab Emirates
PORT: Dubai
New anchorage charges
The Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) will start charging for the use of
anchorage from this Sunday (2 June 2013).
The schedule of charges is as below:
ANCHORAGE OPERATION AT DUBAI WATER
No.1
Staying at anchorage more than 5 days to 30 days – AED 100/daily
No.2
Staying at anchorage more than 30 days for vessels length up to 100 m –
AED 250/daily
No.3
Staying at anchorage more than 30 days for vessels length above 100 m up
to 200 m – AED 500/daily
No.4
Staying at anchorage more than 30 days for vessels length above 200 m –
AED 750/daily
All ships presently in the anchorages will be invoiced through the agent of
record. All new requests will include the estimated time frame and
payment. Extensions will be invoiced to the agent.
For information about operations in Dubai contact GAC Dubai at
dubai@gac.com
DATE: May 29, 2013
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Marine site investigation SE of the River Trade Terminal
For approximately 4 months, marine site investigation involving drilling of
horizontal directional coring holes will be carried out [off the South-east
of the River Trade Terminal] in the area bounded by straight lines joining
the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22 deg. 21.559’N / 113 deg. 57.170’E
(B) 22 deg. 21.518’N / 113 deg. 57.198’E
(C) 22 deg. 21.505’N / 113 deg. 57.176’E
(D) 22 deg. 21.546’N / 113 deg. 57.148’E
The works will be carried out by a drilling platform with an inclined steel
casing of approximately 50 meters extending from the platform. A guard boat
will provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 80 metres will be established around the
platform. Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the four corners of
the platform to indicate the position of the platform. Yellow marker buoys
fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the
inclined steel casing extending from the platform.
Vessel engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in
international and local regulations.
The hours of work will be round-the-clock.
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 Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.66 of 2013
dated 28 May 2013
DATE: May 29, 2013
COUNTRY: Panama
PORT: Panama Canal
Locks lane outage for dredging
The Panama Canal has confirmed a Locks Lane Outage due to dredging
operations in Miraflores locks starting at 00:01 on Saturday (1 June) and
ending at 24:00 on 8 June.
Booking Condition 2 will be in effect for this period. Delays are expected
for non-booked vessels in the range of 5 days. Transit booking application
during second period is highly recommended.
For information about operations in Panama contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at
gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.
