HOT PORT NEWS from GAC

Cyclone weakened but forecast to strengthen again
Friday, February 22, 2019, Southern Queensland/Northern New South Wales, Australia

Tropical Cyclone Oma has weakened to Category 1 but is forecast to strengthen back to category 2 today (Friday 22 February). It is expected to continue moving in a generally south to southwesterly direction today and tomorrow, becoming slow moving to the north during Saturday and remaining offshore through the weekend and early next week.

Abnormally high tides and dangerous surf conditions are expected along the southern Queensland coast over the next few days and into early next week. Seas and swell are already increasing well ahead of the approach of Oma with dangerous surf about the east coast extending from far northern New South Wales northwards to Seventeen Seventy, just north of Bundaberg. Beach erosion is likely to continue with the hazardous marine conditions.

A Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds, abnormally high tides and dangerous surf is current, as well as a Hazardous Surf Warning.

Gale force winds, with gusts greater than 90km/hr, are expected to develop along exposed coastal areas of southern Queensland today well ahead of Oma. Gale force winds are also possible about elevated terrain near the New South Wales border. Gales may extend into coastal parts of far northern New South Wales tomorrow.

GLADSTONE:
A cyclone watch has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for the Gladstone Region from Bundaberg to Double Island Point. The Southern Gladstone Region from Round Hill to Double Islands Point has now moved to BLUE ALERT STATUS with effect from 1600 local time Thursday 21 February 2019 (211600K FEB 19). Mariners, marine organisations and other interested parties in the Southern Gladstone Region should consult the Gladstone Region Extreme Weather Contingency Plan (https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/maritime-safety-extreme-weather-contingency-plans/resource/aa6cfe06-c22b-4c82-93a0-e5e0828d42f6 ). The Cyclone Watch is expected to expand to include the remainder of the Gladstone Region in the coming days.
At this time, it is business as usual for ports in the region, although a cruise ship visit to Kingfisher Bay in the Maryborough Pilotage Area today and one to Gladstone tomorrow have been cancelled as a precaution. Measures are in place as follows:
– Vessels at anchor to bring their main engines to standby, ballast down and be prepared to depart the anchorage at immediate notice.
– Vessels at berth are to run additional mooring lines and maintain a continuous watch on mooring lines.
– Vessels at berth are to be ready to cease cargo operations and depart the Port with little notice.
– Vessels directed to depart the Port and Anchorages are to ensure they proceed to sea and not remain within the confines of the Great Barrier Reef.

BRISBANE:
The port of Brisbane is experiencing severe weather conditions from the developing cyclone Oma. The Harbour Pilot’s suspended embarkations and disembarkation at the PBG at 19.28 hours local time last night (21 February) due to unsafe wind and swell conditions. Pilotage remains suspended due to unsafe conditions this morning.
The suspended pilotage service for vessels and expected strong winds over the weekend could create increased delay to vessels berthing prospects due to working through the backlog of vessels once pilotage in/out of the port is resumed.
For details and updates, as well as information about operations at Australian ports, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

Silt curtains at north-eastern corner of New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter
Friday, February 22, 2019, Hong Kong

For approximately 16 months, silt curtains [are] established 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. 18.984’N / 114 deg. 09.573’E
(B) 22 deg. 18.979’N / 114 deg. 09.559’E
(C) 22 deg. 18.998’N / 114 deg. 09.551’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.010’N / 114 deg. 09.556’E
The silt curtains [are] established near the outlet of the Cherry Street box culvert at north-eastern corner of New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, with two ends fixed on vertical seawall, to intercept general floating refuse from the culvert.
Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights [are] laid along the surface of the silt curtains to mark the extent of the silt curtains.
Diving operations [are being] carried out from a work boat from time to time during the laying, inspection and maintenance operations.
Vessel engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep clear of the silt curtains at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working around the silt curtains.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong, contact GAC Hong Kong at [email protected])
Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.33 of 2019

Temporary withdrawal of weather buoy southwest of Sha Chau
Friday, February 22, 2019, Hong Kong

The weather buoy “Weather 11” at the following position (WGS 84 Datum) [has been] temporarily withdrawn with effect from 20 February 2019:
22 deg. 19.760’N / 113 deg. 52.390’E.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong, contact GAC Hong Kong at [email protected])
Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.34 of 2019

Container growth pushes throughput to a new high
Friday, February 22, 2019, Rotterdam, Netherlands

At 469.0 million tonnes, the port of Rotterdam’s total throughput volume ended up slightly higher in 2018 than in 2017, which was itself a record year (467.4 million tonnes).

Container transhipment was the engine of growth again, with a 4.5% increase in tonnage. Measured in TEUs, the standard unit for containers, the increase was 5.7% and the annual total was 14.5 million TEUs – also a record. This strengthens the position of Europe’s largest container port in this strategically important market segment.

Significant underlying shifts were observable in the goods segments. Whereas container transhipment continued to grow at a healthy pace, that of crude oil, mineral oil products and agribulk fell. Throughput of LNG (+163.6%) and biomass (+31.6%) saw a further spectacular rises last year…

(For information about operations in Rotterdam contact GAC Netherlands at [email protected])

Source: Extract from Port of Rotterdam (www.portofrotterdam.com) press release

 

Source: GAC