Issue No. 347 28 March 2008

Over age single-hull tankers barred from Fujairah anchorage
Intertanko reports that Notice to Mariners No. 108/08, issued by the Harbour Master of Fujairah, states that single-hull tankers more than 25 years of age, regardless of their GRT, will not be allowed to call at Fujairah offshore anchorage area for cargo operations. This includes oil and chemical tankers and LPG and LNG carriers carrying oil products. Intertanko also reports that with effect from 30 April 2008 the Philippines will deny entry into its ports of single-hull tankers carrying crude oil and fuel oils.

Mississippi river high stage alert
We have been advised by our correspondent in New Orleans (25 March 2008) that the Mississippi River at New Orleans is presently at 12.3ft above the Carrollton Gauge datum and rising, and on 8 April the river will peak at 16.3ft, the highest since the very active casualty year 2005. Any time the river is above 14ft there is an increase in incidences of collisions, groundings and breakaways, especially involving Panamax bulk carriers or oil tankers loaded to more than 40ft draft. Paradoxically many charterers and cargo shippers often think the greater river depths will enable them to load the vessels deeper; however, loading the vessels to drafts greater than 40ft in these conditions considerably increases the risk of incidents. Even when moored, deeply laden vessels need all their lines out and constant tug attendance to avoid breaking away. Many upriver midstream facilities such as at Mile 170 – 177 AHP (above head of passes) are especially dangerous and prone to deep draft vessels dragging anchor and breaking away. Likewise Mississippi river anchorages above Ama / St Rose (Mile 116 AHP) up to Baton Rouge are susceptible to vessels loaded to more than 40ft draft dragging anchor as long as the river stage is 14ft or above datum. The river current can run at 5 – 6mph when river depth is above 15ft above datum. River conditions can be monitored by accessing: www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/rva.shtml

Asian Gypsy Moth reminder
BIMCO reports that the high risk period for Asian Gypsy Moth introduction via ships entering into Canadian ports runs from 1 March to 15 October 2008. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently issued an update on Asian Gypsy Moth policy for 2008. This can be found on the CFIA website (see Policy Directive D-95-03 revised 16 May 2007) together with the list of high risk vessels (www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/shiplste.shtml). Please note that the list of high risk vessels is not exhaustive. As in previous years, it is the responsibility of the agent to notify the CFIA Harbour office when high risk vessels arrive and provide the appropriate paperwork prior to the high risk vessels entering Canadian waters. CFIA will then provide the agent with written confirmation that the vessel may enter. All vessels entering Canadian waters are subject to a frequency of inspection. If an Asian Gypsy Moth life stage is discovered during an inspection, the ship will be ordered removed from Canadian waters. The rejected vessel may be permitted to conduct a thorough cleaning of life stages of the gypsy moth in international waters or at least 10km away from North American shores. Once cleaning is complete the vessel may be allowed to return to Canadian waters for re-inspection. When an inspector is satisfied that there is no risk of introducing the Asian strain of gypsy moth, the vessel will be allowed to enter a Canadian port. If the life stages of the gypsy moth are found during re-inspection, the vessel will not be permitted entry to Canadian waters until the high risk period is over.

US Coast Guard Port Security Advisory 3-08
Iran is the most recent country that the US Coast Guard (USCG) has determined not to be maintaining anti-terrorism measures. As a result, conditions of entry will be imposed on vessels calling at the US having previously visited Iran, beginning on 2 April 2008. (See BNS Issue Nos. 346 and 345).

Tallies of bagged cargo at Chittagong
The BIMCO Secretariat has received information that when a vessel is discharging bagged cargo at Chittagong, Bangladesh, and a tally should be carried out, it has to be performed by a licensed tally contractor and not by an individual surveyor or a firm of surveyors or a commercial company. According to the Chittagong Port Authority Regulations, "No person or body of persons shall work as a tally contractor on or about any vessel in the port without a license from the Authority". Therefore, no individual or company is legally authorised to conduct tallies without a valid license issued by the Chittagong Port Authority. However, there are indications that unlicensed individuals or companies are offering tally services to shipowners. Owners and Masters should be aware that the results of tallies undertaken by unauthorised personnel will not be accepted by the Chittagong Port or Customs Authority or the Bangladeshi Courts.