HOT Port News from GAC

Your daily news service from ports around the world.

In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
 * Singapore, all ports – Bunker supplier licence cancelled
 * Hong Kong, all ports – Safe Navigation in Poor Visibility
 * Australia, Port Kembla – Three-day maintenance shutdown
 * Bunker Update – MARKET PRICE UPDATE 17/12/12

DATE: December 17, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: all portsBunker supplier licence cancelled

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has cancelled G-Fuel Pte Ltd’s bunker supplier licence with effect from 15 December 2012. The cancellation of the licence follows G-Fuel Pte Ltd contravening the terms and conditions of the bunkering licence.

The company was found to have breached Clause 3 of the terms and conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Supplier) by allowing another company to use G-Fuel’s Bunker Delivery Notes to supply bunkers to the customers of that company.

With the cancellation of its bunker supplier licence, G-Fuel Pte Ltd will no longer be allowed to operate as a bunker supplier in the Port of Singapore. All bunker suppliers operating in the Port of Singapore are required to be licensed by MPA.

“All licensed bunker suppliers are required to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions of the bunkering licence and the bunker supplier’s licence is not transferable under the terms and conditions. MPA does not condone such acts and we will not hesitate to suspend or cancel the bunkering licence of any bunker supplier found to have contravened any of the terms
and conditions of the bunkering licence, ” said Capt M Segar, MPA’s Assistant Chief Executive (Operations).

In 2011, the Port of Singapore saw record bunker sales volume of 43.2 million tonnes. Singapore’s strong performance in bunker sales can be attributed to its strategic location at the crossroads of international trade and the industry structure that results in competitive bunker prices and assured quality and safety standards.

(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore news release dated 17 December 2012

DATE: December 17, 2012 COUNTRY: Hong KongPORT: all ports Safe Navigation in Poor Visibility

Masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels are hereby reminded to strictly comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 when navigating within Hong Kong waters, especially in poor visibility.

All vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters shall do so at a safe speed not exceeding the applicable speed restrictions. Extreme caution should be exercised when navigating in fog, heavy rain or restricted visibility. Appropriate sound signals shall be made in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972.

The importance of Rules 5 (Look-out), 6 (Safe speed), 7 (Risk of collision), 8 (Action to avoid collision) and 19 (Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 should be borne in mind at all times when navigating with the aid of radar in restricted visibility.

It should be noted that when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the traffic information obtained thereof is rather scanty and should be construed accordingly.

When the visibility in any part of Hong Kong waters or its approaches is reduced to less than two nautical miles, for example by fog or mist, the Vessel Traffic Centre (Call-sign “MARDEP”) will broadcast visibility reports on the major traffic routes and other water areas on V.H.F. Channels 12, 14 and 67. These will be broadcast on each hour until such time the visibility has improved to more than two nautical miles.

Masters of vessels issued with Speed Restriction Exemption Permits should strictly observe the condition stipulated on the permits regarding their validity when the prevailing visibility is less than one nautical mile.

In the event of an accident, this should be reported immediately to the Vessel Traffic Centre, either on V.H.F. (channel 12, 14 or 67) or by telephone (no. 2233 7801 or 2233 7802).

(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.172 of 2012

DATE: December 17, 2012 COUNTRY: Australia PORT: Port Kembla Three-day maintenance shutdown

There will be no vessel loading operations at Port Kembla from 0700 hours tomorrow (18 December) to 1900 hours on 20 December, due to maintenance of ship loaders and reclaimers.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com

DATE: December 17, 2012 Bunker Update: MARKET PRICE UPDATE 17/12/12

GAC Bunker Fuels Ltd Pricing Alert MARKET PRICE UPDATE 17/12/12

180 CST   380 CST   MGO       MDO

Aberdeen               0         0         0         0
Aden                   745.00    0         1, 210.00  0
Alexandria             730.00    715.00    1, 220.00  0
Amsterdam              591.00    567.00    903.00    0
Antwerp                604.00    574.00    919.00    0
Aqaba                  0         0         1, 050.00  0
Bahrain                0         0         1, 039.00  0
Barrow                 0         0         0         0
Busan                  645.00    630.00    950.00    940.00
Cape Town              662.00    0         1, 025.00  0
Colombo                755.00    690.00    1, 110.00  0
Dubai                  610.00    595.00    830.00    0
Durban                 615.00    0         1, 100.00  0
Falmouth               657.00    612.50    970.00    0
Fawley                 0         0         0         0
Felixstowe             0         0         0         0
Fujairah               640.00    603.00    1, 000.00  0
Gibraltar              684.00    652.50    964.50    0
Grangemouth            0         0         0         0
Harwich                0         0         0         0
Hong Kong              624.50    616.00    945.50    940.50
Houston                700.00    605.00    975.00    0
Immingham              0         0         0         0
Invergordon            0         0         0         0
Istanbul               631.50    606.50    966.50    0
Jeddah                 710.00    700.00    1, 130.00  0
Kaohsiung              645.00    635.00    981.00    966.00
Kuwait                 607.00    596.50    0         994.00
Leith                  0         0         0         0
Malta                  691.50    660.50    941.50    0
Mersey                 0         0         0         0
Milford Haven          0         0         0         0
Mumbai                 635.00    624.50    1, 046.50  0
New York & New Jersey  630.00    600.00    1, 015.00  0
Newport                0         0         0         0
Nigg Bay               0         0         0         0
Panama                 710.00    650.00    1, 040.00  0
Piraeus                692.50    665.50    946.50    0
Plymouth               0         0         0         0
Port Said              0         0         0         0
Qatar                  0         0         900.00    0
Ramsgate               0         0         0         0
Rio de Janeiro         613.00    589.50    1, 005.00  0
Rotterdam              599.00    575.00    911.00    0
Salalah                685.00    645.00    1, 105.00  0
Shanghai               646.00    627.50    1, 050.50  0
Sharjah                610.00    595.00    830.00    0
Sheerness              0         0         0         0
Singapore              613.00    604.00    906.00    0
St Petersburg          565.50    550.50    0         0
Suez                   0         0         1, 220.00  0
Tees                   0         0         0         0
Thames                 0         0         0         0

Present in seven locations worldwide, GAC Bunker Fuels, part of the GAC group, is a global broker and trader of marine fuels and lubricants.

The prices listed are for indication purposes only, and local offices should be approached directly for firm prices.

Middle East & Africa:bunker.ae@gac.com
Europe: bunker.gb@gac.com
Egypt &Mediterranean: bunker.eg@gac.com
Americas:bunker.us@gac.com
Asia Pacific:   bunker.sg@gac.com
Indian Subcontinent:   bunker.sl@gac.com
Contact Martyn McMahon on +971 566032534 or Martyn.mcmahon@gac.com quoting HPN for more information or
with your bunker enquiry.