HOT PORT NEWS from GAC

Light dues 2020/21
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, United Kingdom

Light dues rates for 2020/21 will not change and remain at 37.5p per net registered tonne. Amounts due are rounded down to the nearest penny…

…The underlying principle to charging light dues is that the vessel is liable to pay lights unless one of the exemptions as per the Merchant Shipping Act is applicable. Traditionally, this has been quite easy to assess as the vessel has cargo to load or unload. However, there are more vessels undertaking services for example, wind farm support vessels, survey vessels and other support type vessels.

They do not always have physical cargo and often use a port as their base of operations. The reason for their arrival into port may be crew change or provisions but, as they are still engaged in their commercial activity before they arrived and will continue to do so after their departure, they are liable for the light dues charge. Otherwise, these vessel would never be charged for using the aids to navigation…

(For information about operations in the UK, contact GAC UK at [email protected])

Source: Extract from Trinity House(www.trinityhouse.co.uk) Light Dues Circular No.542

Precautions against Novel Corona Virus
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Pakistan

Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs is urging ports urging to make precautions and necessary actions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus a top priority.

Existing health facilities/hospitals at ports and other organisations may be geared up for quarantine purposes and other necessary medical coverage if a case of the virus is detected. They have been instructed to liaise centrally with the Directorate of Central Health Establishment in Islamabad.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Pakistan, contact GAC Pakistan at [email protected]

Non-availability of Harbour Mobile Crane
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Mormugao, India

The port-owned ITALGRU make Harbour Mobile Crane is under major breakdown and will not be available for operations for one and a half months or until it is repairs and re-commissioned fit for operation. Accordingly, Trade fraternity is requested to take note of this and to plan their vessel operations at Beth No.10/11.

The HMC shall be put into operation as soon as it is repairs and ready for operations.

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

Source: Mormugao Port Trust Trade Circular No.: 02/2020 TM/02/28/2020/3566

Bunker supplies at port
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Krishnapatnam Port, India

The provision of bunker fuel supplies to vessels can be carried out at the port of Krishnapatnam from yesterday (17 February).

A minimum of five working days’ notice is required for bunkering requests to be considered.

For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected]

Notification ahead of arrival of vessels from China
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, Department of Ports, has issued instructions that ship agents must inform the Health Centers at the country’s ports 24 hours before the arrival of any ship coming directly from China, and complete the Marine Health Declaration accurately with the required data.

This should be provided to the Health Monitoring Center and include:

Whether the ship was in China in the past 14 days
If any of the sailors were in China in the past 14 days
If there has been any contact by any crew member with a person suspected on being infected with the virus
Do any of the crew have symptoms of respiratory infection, such as fever with a cough or shortness of breath
For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Saudi Arabia, contact GAC Saudi Arabia at [email protected]

Requirements for shipping agents in view of COVID-19 outbreak
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Kenya

Further to the earlier circular on the requirements for compliance by Ships Agents in view of the outbreak of the COVID-19 outbreak, you now required to take note to and comply with the following:

1. That all crew lists MUST include the date and place of boarding of the crew

2. That for vessels coming with Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) that they MUST submit a separate schedule of their one (1) month ports of call.

3. All the mandatory pre-arrival notifications MUST be submitted 48 hours minimum but can be submitted earlier in view of the 14 days notice.

(For information about operations in Kenya, contact GAC’s Hub Services at [email protected])

Source: Kenyan Ministry of Health notice dated 17 February 2020

Wreck in Gibraltar Harbour
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Gibraltar

There is a wreck east of the South harbor entrance off Gibraltar Harbour in approximate position, 36 deg. 08’133N, 005 deg. 21’683W.

All vessels are instructed not to use the South Harbour entrance.

Wreck removal operations are ongoing.

If there are any queries, contact Gibraltar VTS on VHS channel 12 or by phone on (+350)20046254.

(For information about operations in Gibraltar, contact GAC Gibraltar at [email protected])

Source: Gibraltar Port Authority Local Notice to Mariners No.008 of 2020 dated 18 February 2020
Source: GAC