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Updated maximum authorized draft for transiting vessels
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, Panama Canal, Panama

As a result of the amount of rainfall in the Panama Canal watershed during the past week, the Panama Canal Authority has postponed the effective date of the sixth draft update a published in Advisory to Shipping A-13-2019. Therefore, the maximum authorized draft of 13.11 m (43.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW) for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks and 11.73 m (38.5 feet) TFW for vessels transiting the Panamax locks will become effective June 12, 2019, instead of May 28, 2019.

The maximum authorized draft allowed of 13.41 meters (44.0 feet) TFW for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks and 12.04 m (39.5 feet) TFW for vessels transiting the Panamax locks, as published in Advisory to Shipping No. A-10-2019, will continue to be in effect until June 12, 2019.

We will continue to monitor the level of Gatun Lake and announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.

(For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC Panama at [email protected])

Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory To Shipping No.A-15-2019 dated 21 May 2019

Fire fighting tug in STS areas
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, Suez Canal, Egypt

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has taken steps to regulate navigation traffic and safety in STS areas in Gulf of Suez and Port Said Northern area.

As stated in its Circular No.05/2019, a first class firefighting tug will be put on standby inside its base in accordance with dues stipulated.

Fire fighting tug dues shall be as follows:

  1. A lump sum of USD 12,000 shall be collected in consideration for 24-hours or less STS operation.
  2. A lump sum of USD 18,000 shall be collected in consideration for 24-30 hours STS operation.
  3. A lump sum of USD 24,000 shall be collected in consideration for 30-48hours STS operation.
  4. A lump sum of USD 30,000 shall be collected in consideration for over 48-72 hours STS operation.
  5. A lump sum of USD 12,000 shall be collected in consideration for every day or part of day if more than 72 hours STS operation.

The local agent shall submit the required tugs operation requisition as well as a notice to the SCA to hire the necessary fire fighting tugs working during STS operation 24 hours prior to operation of berthing and casting-off.

Oil tankers affiliated to Egyptian GPC shall be exempted from fire fighting tugs contribution to relieve the burden on the country’s local production, provided that the local agent shall submit all required documents confirming shipment delivery to Egyptian GPC within one month in order to refund the sum deducted from agent account to cover fire fighting tugs.

If the local agent or vessel’s master requests tugs or pilot to assist in mooring operations, the SCA hour-based dues system shall be applied as per the Suez Canal tariff and based on (tug horsepower (tensile strength), as well as hours needed for tugs before or after working hours), provided that operation requisition for tugs needed to assist in berthing and casting-off operation is submitted by the agent.

If the local agent or vessel’s master requests tugs or pilot to assist in mooring operations and then the requisition is cancelled by either one of them through a written notice or via a wireless message, additional dues of USD shall be imposed.

The local agent shall provide Yokohama Fenders before commencing operation.

Vessel’s master shall undertake to immediately inform SCA port office via VHF of any oil spill or fire on board. Master undertakes to take the necessary measures to deal with the accident till SCA assistance arrived.

The SCA shall take all necessary measures to combat oil pollution caused by a vessel provided that the vessel itself shall bear the costs thereof.

STS operations (berthing and casting-off) shall take place as per port weather conditions.

For information about operations in the Suez Canal contact GAC Egypt at [email protected]

 

Source: GAC

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