Disruption to main GAC 24×7 Helpdesk line: temporary number announced
COUNTRY: Worldwide
A temporary contact number has been made available for GAC’s 24×7 Helpdesk, after a local landline outage disrupted the main line to the round-the-clock service at +971-4-881 4457.
Until service is fully restored to the main line, the GAC 24×7 Helpdesk is contactable at +971-4-805 9772.
The service is also available through the mobile line +971-50-656 3102 or by email at 24×7@gac.com
High winds close port
March 05, 2015, United States, Freeport, Texas
As per reports from Freeport this morning (5 March), the port is closed due to high winds.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Dredging at container terminals
March 05, 2015, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For approximately 4 months, dredging operations will be carried out [at Kwai Tsing Container Terminals 1, 2, 4, 5 & 7] in the following areas:
AREA 1:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (E) and the adjacent shoreline:-
(A) 22 deg. 19.816’N / 114 deg. 07.992’E
(B) 22 deg. 19.790’N / 114 deg. 08.000’E
(C) 22 deg. 19.668’N / 114 deg. 07.584’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.694’N / 114 deg. 07.575’E
(E) 22 deg. 19.703’N / 114 deg. 07.603’E
AREA 2:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (F) to (K) and the adjacent shoreline:-
(F) 22 deg. 20.281’N / 114 deg. 07.759’E
(G) 22 deg. 20.218’N / 114 deg. 07.565’E
(H) 22 deg. 20.300’N / 114 deg. 07.538’E
(I) 22 deg. 20.253’N / 114 deg. 07.385’E
(J) 22 deg. 20.438’N / 114 deg. 07.323’E
(K) 22 deg. 20.446’N / 114 deg. 07.350’E
AREA 3:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (L) to (P) and the adjacent shoreline:-
(L) 22 deg. 20.609’N / 114 deg. 07.295’E
(M) 22 deg. 20.601’N / 114 deg. 07.268’E
(N) 22 deg. 20.884’N / 114 deg. 07.170’E
(O) 22 deg. 20.816’N / 114 deg. 06.936’E
(P) 22 deg. 20.842’N / 114 deg. 06.928’E
The works will be carried out by a grab dredger. Two tug boats, four hopper barges and one motor survey boat will assist in the works. 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 grab dredger will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the grab dredger.
The hours of works will be round-the-clock.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
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.35 of 2015
New Canal toll structure proposal
March 05, 2015, Panama, Panama Canal
The Panama Canal Authority held on February 27 a public hearing on its proposal for a new toll structure.
The new structure will apply to the existing Canal, as well as to the new lane of traffic when the expansion begins operations in 2016. The new locks will allow shipping lines ot transit the Canal with larger vessel, providing greater economies of scale. The expansion will open new global shipping routes and allow the transit of non-traditional commodities through the waterway, such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)….
….Comments made during the hearing, as well as those provided in writing to the ACP, will be analyzed and given due consideration prior to submitting a final proposal for approval by the Canal Board of Director and the Cabinet Council. The adjustments for all market segments, except for the new Intra Maritime Cluster Segment, are scheduled to take effect in April of 2016.
The last tolls modification went into effect in 2012-2013 for dry bulk vessels, tankers, chemical carriers, gas carriers, vehicle carrier/roll-on/roll-off, general cargo and other vessel types. Container, reefer and passenger vessel tolls have remained unchanged since 2011.
The proposed restructuring calls for each segment to be priced based on different units of measurement, while aligning with customers’ needs and requests, and modifying pricing for all Canal segments. For instance, containers will be measured and priced on TEUs; dry bulkers will be based on deadweight tonnage capacity and metric tons of cargo; passenger vessels will be based on berths; LNG vessels will be based on cubic meters; and tankers will be measured and priced based on Panama Canal tons and metric tons.
For details: http:www.pancanal.com/peajes/
(For information about operations in Panama contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com)
Source: Panama Canal Authority Monthly Canal Operations Summary – February 2015
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