Hot Port News from GAC
20-Oct-2020
NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CREW TRANSFERS
Western Australia, Australia
OBSTRUCTION UPDATE 2
Beaumont, United States
APT BERTH, PIPELINE & TANK OUTAGES
Immingham, United Kingdom
WATER TRANSPORT WORKERS’ INDEFINITE STRIKE
Bangladesh
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DRAFT
Mumbai, India
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING IN FORCE
Manila, Philippines
New directions for crew transfers
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Western Australia, Australia
Western Australian Police Force has advised new directions now in force related to the maritime industry and crew transfers.
Quarantine (Closing the Border) Directions Approval for Maritime Crew (No 4) issued under Section 27(r) came into effect at midnight last night (19 October) and affects ALL PLANNED CREW TRANSFERS.
All previous crew transfers that have been approved and are planned to occur after last night are now rejected and will be re-considered in line with the new directions.
A maritime crew member can only disembark from an affected vessel:
at a Perth Port
at a port other than a Perth Port if, as soon as possible (within 8 hours) after they disembark the vessel they board a charter flight to Perth airport
at any port to undertake port activities
at any port to transfer to another vessel in the port
When the crew member disembarks an affected vessel or charter flight in Perth they must:
if the flight out of Australia leaves within 8 hours of disembarking the affected vessel in Perth or the arrival of the charter flight, travel directly to Perth airport for their flight out of Australia;
or
if the flight out of Australia does not leave within 8 hours of disembarking the affected vessel in Perth or the arrival of the charter flight, travel directly to a relevant place, which may include a quarantine centre or an approved crew hotel, and remain there while they wait for their flight out of Australia.
A crew member who is ordinarily resident in Australia may, in addition to the above, disembark a vessel in a Perth Port and go directly to a quarantine centre for 14 days. Or, if they disembark in a port other than a Perth Port, as soon as possible after they disembark the vessel, board a charter flight to an airport in the Perth metropolitan region and then go directly to a quarantine centre where they will undergo 14 days’ quarantine.
There are no real changes affecting persons flying into Western Australia to become crew members. Upon arrival in Perth, they will go to either a Crew Hotel (Interstate Travellers) or a Quarantine Centre (International).
A crew member disembarking at a port that is not a Perth Port, and leaving Perth on a flight within 8 hrs (arriving by vessel) can take a private chartered vehicle to a nearby regional airport and must take a private chartered flight to Perth to meet a flight leaving Australia.
A crew Mmember disembarking at a port that is not a Perth Port, and leaving Perth on a flight more than 8 hours later (arriving by vessel):
– can take a private chartered vehicle to a regional airport
– must take a private chartered flight to Perth
– will be transported directly to a Quarantine Centre
– can leave the Quarantine Centre to meet a flight leaving Australia
Any crew member who disembarks in a port other than Perth will not be allowed to board a commercial flight.
To disembark, a non-Australian resident must have a ticket or other confirmed booking for a flight to a destination outside of Australia.
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
Obstruction update 2
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Beaumont, United States
The large semi-submersible rig JASMINIA remains stationary in the Sabine Bank Channel near gated buoys 17 and 18.
The new maximum draft is 36’06”, set after reviewing surveys and information gained during the vessel transits during the past days.
For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com
APT berth, pipeline & tank outages
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Immingham, United Kingdom
APT has advised that no shipping/barges can be handled on nominated berths in Immingham until the end of the year, unless otherwise indicated.
By working closely with the refineries, APT will always try to minimise the disruption that berth, line and tank maintenance outages cause. However, without being allowed to carry out planned and routine maintenance, unplanned and long-term outages are possible.
The planned outages are as follows:
IOT Berth 1
– 0800 on 3 November to 1700 on 4 November, for structure repairs & painting
– 0800 on 16 November to 1700 on 17 November, for structure repairs & painting and ABP mooring equipment maintenance
– 0800 on 1 December to 1700 on 2 December, for structure repairs & painting
– 0800 on 15 December to 1700 16 December, for structure repairs & painting and ABP mooring equipment maintenance
IOT Berth 2
– 0800 on 29 October to 1800 on 30 October, for structure repairs, painting, various hot works and ABP mooring equipment maintenance
– 0800 to 1700 on 24 November, for ABP mooring equipment maintenance
– 0800 to 1700 on 11 December, for ABP mooring equipment maintenance
IOT Berth 3
– 0800 to 1700 on 26 November, for redundant pipework removal, ABP mooring equipment maintenance
– 0800 on 23 November to 1700 on 27 November, for ABP Berth front dive inspection (up to 5 days required)
– 0800 to 1700 on 17 December, for redundant pipework removal and ABP mooring equipment maintenance
Finger Pier
– 0800 to 1700 on 28 October, for ABP/APT various hot work
– 0800 to 1700 on 25 November, for ABP/APT Various hot work
– 0800 to 1700 on 18 December, for ABP/APT Various hot work
South Killingholme Jetty (SKJ)
To allow continued use, and until further notice, regular inspections of the white oil loading arm must be carried out. The berth needs to be unoccupied to allow crane barge access. Where possible, natural opportunities will be taken – inspection periods are therefore not shown below.
– 0800 on 10 November to 1800 on 11 November, for preparation work for new loading arms
– 0800 on 8 December to 1700 on 10 December, for preparation work for new loading arms
Immingham Gas Jetty (full berth, LPG and white oils)
– 0800 on 26 October to 1800 on 31 October, for pipework modifications and ABP mooring equipment maintenance
– 0800 to 1700 on 23 November, for hot work repairs and ABP mooring equipment maintenance
– 0800 to 1700 on 14 December, for ABP mooring equipment maintenance
Main Transfer Line, Tank and Loading Arm Works
– 22” Fuel Oil Transfer Line ILI (In Line Inspection): Due to issues during the 22 FO line pigging, the 22” FO line remains Out of Service until further notice.
– 24” Fuel Oil transfer Line: Under road sections to be replaced (x 2) – postponed until 2021
– Tank 33 (G2/G102) OOS for full inspection & repairs – repair work expected to be completed by 24 December. G2/G102 storage capacity at APT will be reduced by 3700m³ from 12300m³ to 8600m³
– Tank 1 (CFO/RGO) full inspection & repairs – duration expected to be 4 months and after Tank 33 work complete – 2021. Fuel oil operations not expected to be affected.
– Tank 32 (K2/K77) ROSOV installation – 3 days duration, dates to be confirmed
– B3 LA3/2 to be overhauled in 2020 – removal complete – 3 days B3 outage required to return – dates to be confirmed for 2021
– SKJ Loading Arm Replacement (x 3) – Preparation work will continue to be scheduled ready for new loading arm installation in 2021
Finger Pier and Terminal Supply Lines and Custody Meters
Finger Pier loading and terminal supply lines under road replacement – programme of works to be defined. There are 18 lines that come in/out of the terminal through culverts under the road. It is not possible to thoroughly inspect these lines so there needs to be a programme of replacement. Effect on the business will be communicated as lines are taken out of service.
For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com
Water transport workers’ indefinite strike
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Bangladesh
Water transport workers in Bangladesh started an indefinite nationwide strike starting at midnight last night (19 October).
Eight organisations under Bangladesh Water Transport Workers’ Federation called the strike, in support of their 11-point demands which include: steps to stop extortion and robbery in vessels and waterways; food and sea allowance for waterways workers; setting buoys, beacons, marks and lights for safe navigation; distribution and renewal process of certificates of masters and other workers; ensuring social safety of waterways workers.
For information about operations in Bangladesh, contact GAC-Uniglobal Bangladesh at gac-uniglobal.bd@gac.com
Maximum permissible draft
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Mumbai, India
The maximum permissible draft at inner anchorage is 11.8 metres. Recently, a vessel successfully loaded cargo up to 12.7 metres (advantage of tide) which benefits the trade.
Considering above, it is decided to accept vessels beyond 11.8 metres on a case-by-case basis with prior permission, subject to production of indemnity by the party and favourable weather condition.
(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Mumbai Port Trust Circular No: DC/C-SH/2912 dated 19 October 2020
Tropical Cyclone Warning in force
Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Manila, Philippines
Due to the effect of Tropical Depression “Pepito” over the Philippines Area of Responsibility. A Tropical Cyclone Warning (Public Storm Warning Signal or PSWS) was raised over Metro Manila with Wind Signal NO.1 as of 08.00am on 20 October 2020…
…no vessel of any type or tonnage shall be allowed to sail except to take shelter as the situation may warrant, when PSWS No.1 of higher is hoisted with its point of origin…
…all movements of vessel, except to take shelter, is hereby suspended until such Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal or TCWS (PSWS) will be lifted over Metro Manila.
(For information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at philippines@gac.com)
Source: Extract from Philippines Coast Guard Sea Advisory issued at 08.00am on 20 October 2020
