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June 12, 2020 - 10:00 LT - Bulk carrier STELLAR BANNER, by decision of P&I, shipowners and Brazilian authorities, decided to sink the ship, about 150 km from the coast of Maranhao State (Brazilian coast) with about 1500 meters depth. About 250.000 mt of iron ore remained on board.

The heads of the maritime, labour and aviation organizations of the United Nations have issued a plea for urgent action on crew changes and for keyworker designation so that sea and air workers can be relieved and repatriated in a safe way during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a joint statement (CL.4204/Add.18), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) advised that from the middle of June 2020, around 150,000 seafarers a month will require international flights to ensure crew changeovers can take place. Half of these seafarers need to be repatriated home by aircraft, the other half will be joining ships. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, large numbers of seafarers, as well as crews of fishing vessels, have had to extend their service on board ships after many months at sea, unable to be replaced or repatriated after long tours of duty. This is unsustainable, both for the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and the safe operation of maritime trade. "For humanitarian reasons – and the need to comply with international safety and employment regulations – crew changes cannot be postponed indefinitely," the statement said. "We are seeking the support of Governments to facilitate crew changes, operations essential to maintain the global cargo supply chains and operations related to humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights." During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, travel is being curtailed to prevent spread of the disease. Some ports and airports remain closed due to travel restrictions, with ships and aircraft denied entry, and/or have introduced restrictive measures for foreign nationals travelling to or from the country. As a result, seafarers around the world are stranded onboard ships, unable to be repatriated home or replaced by relief crews The three Organizations urge "key worker" designation for seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, offshore energy sector personnel, aviation personnel, air cargo supply chain personnel, and service provider personnel at airports and ports, regardless of nationality. Governments are urged to exempt these personnel from travel restrictions, to ensure crew changes can be carried out and that they have access to emergency medical treatment and, if necessary, to facilitate emergency repatriation. The joint statement says Governments and relevant national and local authorities should implement already-agreed guidance, issued by ICAO, IMO, ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO), including on keyworker designation. This includes permitting seafarers, marine personnel, fishers and offshore energy sector personnel to disembark and embark ships in port and transit through their territory (i.e. to an airport) for the purpose of crew changes and repatriation; and implementing appropriate approval and screening protocols. Earlier this month, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim endorsed a series of protocols developed by a broad cross-section of global maritime industry associations to ensure that ship crew changes can take place safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 80% of global trade by volume is moved by maritime transport, which is the lifeblood of the global economy, and is dependent on the two million seafarers who operate the world's merchant ships. Air transport carried about 4.5 billion passengers in 2019, according to preliminary ICAO figures, while airfreight represents 35% of the value of goods shipped in all modes combined. The total number of licensed aviation professionals, which include pilots, air traffic controllers and licensed maintenance technicians, was 887,000 in 2019, according to ICAO personnel statistics and forecasts. Download ICAO/IMO/ILO joint statement The joint statement was signed by Fang Liu, Secretary General International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); Kitack Lim, Secretary-General International Maritime Organization (IMO); and Guy Ryder, Director-General International Labour Organization (ILO). The statement can be downloaded here - CL.4204/Add.18 A Joint Statement on designation of seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, offshore energy sector personnel, aviation personnel, air cargo supply chain personnel, and service provider personnel at airports and ports as key workers, and on facilitation of crew changes in ports and airports in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A global petition aiming to draw the attention of the general public to the problems of over 150 000 seafarers that cannot leave or cannot joint ship crews due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative belongs to the International Marittime Organization (IMO) Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for Bulgaria Capt. Andriyan Evtimov. The purpose is to have the document signed online by at least the same number of people as that of the blocked by the COVID-19 seafarers, and then send it to the IMO member-state governments with an appeal for immediate and urgent measures to facilitate the movement of seafaring personnel. Currently, only a few countries permit crewmember exchange in their ports, which has a direct negative impact on seafarers’ wellbeing, on the safety of navigation and the global supply chains. The petition, which can be accessed at www.seafarersmatter.com, draws to the attention of the governments that the maritime industry is the backbone of world trade and any continuation of the restrictive measures currently in place against the seafarers would lead to detrimental effect for the global economy. More than 90% of world trade takes place by sea and the seafarers are those who constantly and in personal deprivation carry out their mission ensuring the operation of the supply chains, including such for medical supplies to combat the pandemic. You can access the petition online at www.seafarersmatter.com

The Department of Shipping (DoS) has asked the shipping lines not to realise container detention charge on import and export shipments during the lockdown period, spurred by COVID-19 outbreak. The shipping lines are also advised not to impose any new or additional charges until May 5 when the 41-day shutdowns end. The department issued the advisory on Wednesday, which sparked resentment among the shipping agents in the country. Usually, containers get free time for 14 days after the common landing date and thereafter charged between $5 and $10 per day as detention charge until the importers return those to the port or off-docks. Associate director of Transmarine Logistics Ltd, the local agent of Yang Ming Line, Mohammad Ahsanuzzaman told the FE on Thursday most shipping lines operate their fleet on a leasing basis and pay for the rental daily. Due to the prolonged congestions at the Chittagong port, the containers now have to stay for 15 days at the outer anchorage and at berth, compared with a minimum of three to four days in recent past, he said. During the shutdown period, the containers are lying at the Chittagong port for several weeks when the designated free days expire. "The shipping lines will have to pay container rent besides the opportunity cost, but now the shipping department is asking us not to charge detention fee on importers, which is a mere cost recovery for the liners. This is not acceptable at all when you consider the impact of COVID-19 has on us," he said. "Shipping lines will incur huge financial losses if the order is implemented," said Mr Ahsanuzzaman. Chairman of the Bangladesh Shipping Agents Association (BSAA) Ahsanul Huq Chowdhury told the FE on Thursday vessels are staying at the outer anchorage and berth for weeks and counting millions of taka as demurrage. Deptt order angers shipping agentsA few days back, shipping agents had requested the government to waive some charges like port dues, pilotage fees, berthing and unbreathing tariffs, quay gantry crane, loading or discharging the container, storage charges, container and non-CPA equipment, and store rent for containers at off-docks. "The government paid no heed to our appeal rather issued an order not to realise the detention charge," Mr Chowdhury said. He said the department issued the advisory in line with the measures taken in Indian ports. But the reality is there is no such congestions in Indian ports and vessels there enter and leave in time while at the Chittagong port an additional two weeks are required in ship handling, he said. After the shipping department's advisory, he wrote that the imposition or waiver of detention charge of containers depends on foreign principals. "The principals may not consider the waiving of the container detention charge unless the government waives or reduces port tariffs for vessels," he noted. AIS station, Chittagong

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Port of Itaqui - At the Itaqui Port Complex, ANVISA (Health Authority), made the quarantine flexible for 7 (seven) days. The rule is as follows: 1 - Crew members must stay in a fit hotel single room (each one), for 7 (seven) days before the ship's arrival and must be evaluated daily by a doctor regarding temperature control and general health conditions, who will make a report to ANVISA at the end of the 7 (seven) days. 2 - ANVISA will give consent for boarding and Immigration will do embark / disembark procedures. Note: Immigration will not authorize embark / disembark of seafarers without ANVISA's approval. 3 - According to the last virtual meeting with the board of FENAMAR (Federation of Shipping Agencies in Brazil), a visit to ANVISA will be organized in Brasília in order to clarify and give definition of procedures for changing crew members (seafares). 4 – VALE (iron ore terminal – PDM) in São Luís, only will authorizes disembark of crew members in case of medical assistance. The crew is being exchanged at anchorage by helicopter or speedboat via public port access (EMAP). Any questions please feel free to ask. By Noel Magioli - GAC Logistic

BRAZIL'S NAVY NAVY SOCIAL COMMUNICATION CENTER NOTE TO THE PRESS Brasilia DF. On June 6, 2020. The Brazilian Navy, through the Command of the 4th Naval District (Com4ºDN), analyzed the preliminary reports of the shipowner Polaris Shipping, owner of the Merchant Ship Stellar Banner, on the structural inspections carried out by representatives of the ship's classification society, with the support of divers and a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV), pointing out that the bulk carrier must be jettisoned (sunk) in deep water, about 150 kilometers from the coast of Maranhão. For the phase of possible jettisoning, the quantities of oils and oily residues that have remained on board since reflutation must still be removed. The part of the cargo, which will remain on the Ship, does not pose risks to marine life and human life and must remain in agreement with the environmental and maritime authorities. AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply) Bear, OSRV (Oil Spill Response Vessel) Marine Water, OSV (Offshore Support Vessel) Normand Installer and Navy Patrol Ship “Guanabara” will remain on the scene to monitor the entire jettisoning process the vessel, in order to avoid possible environmental impacts. The Brazilian Navy, through Com4ºDN and the Captaincy of the Ports of Maranhão, will continue to supervise the activities together with the environmental authorities of the State of Maranhão, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources and the Secretary of State for the Environment and Natural Resources. The agencies and companies involved continue to make the maximum efforts and resources possible, in order to solve the situation, always complying with the rules and legislation in force, prioritizing the safeguarding of human life at sea, the protection of the environment and the safety of navigation. Brazilian Navy: Protecting our wealth, taking care of our people www.marinha.mil.br Contact: Press Department Navy Social Communication Center Phones: (61) 3429-1293 / 99238-9790 E-mail: press@marinha.mil.br Brazilian Navy: Protecting our wealth, taking care of our people www.marinha.mil.br

Ore carrier MV Stellar Banner (IMO 9726803) sailed last February 24th, 2020 - 15:06LT after loaded about 290.000 mt of iron ore to be discharged at Qingdao - China. During out bond to sea passage vessel grounded in a sand bank about 100 kilometers away. Vessel suffered damage to the bow after ground, she already out from the access channel to the port. The 20 crew members were safely evacuated and the ship's. Master reported fissure on the hull and adopted to aground in a sand bank and keep vessel floating. Its is owned and operated by the South Korean company Polaris. There are some tugs giving assistance.

Chittagong Port wants to construct new facility at Ananda Bazar, North Halishohor. It includes construction of breakwater for about 11km, dredging construction of a multi-purpose terminal and two container terminals. It is a project with a possible value above USD 2 Billion. After the decision of the government, PPPA communicated with ESG to nominate a suitable company for the project as a requirement of G2G PPP Policy of Bangladesh and they have nominated PSA Singapore.. Objective: To Provide a major gateway for the country's trade with the outside world Primary issue is the limiting factor in accommodating larger vessel sizes and so Chittagong Port Authority intends to construct the "Bay Terminal” to improve the quality of services and develop adequate facilities and decrease the pressure on the existing Chittagong Port. Enhance competitiveness of the country’s exports as prices of imported and exported commodities decrease as a result of shorter shipping time and lower shipping costs. Exporters would incur lower financial costs for their shipments due to the shorter processing and shipping time for their cargo.

The Mexican tank m/v ’Irmã Dulce’, 72900 dwt (IMO: 9548691), which was under construction at Estalairo Maua in Rio de Janeiro, suffered water ingress in the engine room and aft peak in the night of May 4, 2020. The stern came to rest on bthe bottom at a water depth of four to five meters. The accident was apparently caused by a leaking valve. In the afternoon of May 5 divers managed to stabilize the ship. It was the second of a series of four for Transpetro and was launched in 2014. The order for all three ships still under construction was later canceled. The Panamax had currently been 95% completed. Report with photo: https://splash247.com/near-complete-brazilian-tanker-newbuild-sinks-at-pier/ .

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The current pandemic moment has caused the Brazilian federal government and the state governments to carry out coordinated actions, in order to avoid restrictions to cargo circulation during lockdown. Following the understanding of the G20 and the IMO/UN, the Federal Government declared shipping to be fundamental to the country's supply chain and the economy not to collapse; Updates In the beginning of this month, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published the Informative Note 02/2020, providing a better interpretation on the rules regarding crew change, and relaxing the restrictions on repatriation processes. In this Informative Note, ANVISA expressly states that do not apply anymore the terms of the Technical Note 86/2020, by which the repatriation of seafarers depended on the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The necessity of such approval became obsolete since the Ministries of Justice, Health and Infrastructure signed Ordenance 225/2020, which, making reference to the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (1958), establishes a safety protocol and relaxed the process for the crewmembers repatriation. The Federal Police and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) still need to be contacted and provided with information on the situation of the crewmembers who are to be disembarked for repatriation. The entry of foreigners remains generally prohibited in Brazil, both by air and water. The exceptions to the seafarers exist only because cargo transportation/shipping sector is regarded as an essential service for supplying cities and the IMO had complained on the situation of seafares who could not leave their vessels even when their contracts had expired, because the shipping company could not change the crewmembers, as the seafarers could not enter brazilian territory. Even so, the measures adopted due to COVID-19 continue to impact the routine of many ports in the North and Northeast of Brazil, as the restriction of the circulation of people and vehicles have side effects in the functioning of the delicated port logistics. The air network continues to be severely restricted and with low demand, which ends up impacting the port / shipping sector, specifically the pilotage in the north of the country and the transport of surveyors / experts / crew and other professionals to more remote port areas. Santana (AP) - Reinforced controls by Health Authorities, as daily updates on crew members temperatures before free pratique granted. - Immigration working from home office and all clearance will be done by electronic system. No papers are required. - Crewmembers are not authorized to come alongside unless otherwise requested by local Authorities. - Ports and terminals on skeleton staff - All entrance clearances, boarding access to the vessels is highly suggested to be avoided and will be deeply checked by authorities, if not necessary it will not be granted. - Due to issues in the aviation sector, pilots are struggling to reach the city in time, with some sailing maneuverers having been delayed. Upon suggestion of the pilot companies, charter flights are being used as an alternative, with the shipping companies paying for all the costs, until the situation is normalized. Santarém (PA) - Reinforced controls by Health Authorities, as daily updates on crewmembers temperatures before free pratique granted - Immigration working from home office and all clearance will be done by electronic system. No papers are required. - Crewmembers are not authorized to come alongside unless otherwise requested by local Authorities. - All entrance clearances, boarding access to the vessels is highly suggested to be avoided and will be deeply checked by authorities, if not necessary it will not be granted - Ports and terminals on skeleton staff - Due to issues in the aviation sector, pilots are struggling to reach the city in time, with some sailing maneuverers having been delayed. Upon suggestion of the pilot companies, charter flights are being used as an alternative, with the shipping companies paying for all the costs, until the situation is normalized. Municipal administration decrees curfew (except for essential activities) to take effect as of April 09. lFor these essential activities, workers must be wearing their company's uniform or name tag, to identify themselves and inform the authorities their line of work, be it in the port or while aboard the vessels. Vila do Conde (PA) - Reinforced controls by Health Authorities, as per National standards - Ports operations working with reduced staff due to risk of virus contamination, however without affecting any loading or discharge operation - Crewmembers are not authorized to come alongside unless otherwise requested by local Authorities. Itacoatiara (MA) Because of the rainy seasons and the lack of flights due to COVID-19, all night shift manoeuvres will be previously analysed by a Port Operations Specialist, taking into account the following conditions before approving the manoeuvres: river current ; amount of cargo and weather and crew. Reinforced controls by Health Authorities, as daily updates on the crewmembers body temperature are required. Temperature measurement period to be confirmed. Hermasa Terminal is minimizing the stay of their workers on vessel's deck, leading to the following changes: - No availability of hand trimming. Loading plans must be adjusted considering it. - Shifting of shiploader between holds will be done from shore side and shifts among the far end holds must be avoided at night time - Mooring will be performed by shore side only, assisted by photos sent thru the agency - Due to issues in the aviation sector, pilots are struggling to reach the city in time, with some sailing maneuverers having been delayed. Upon suggestion of the pilot companies, charter flights are being used as an alternative, with the shipping companies paying for all the costs, until the situation is normalized. ITAQUI/ ALUMAR / PDM (MA) São Luís, state capital with three ports, is reopening. After the lockdowns on the capital and other cities were lifted on May 18th, With such, previous restrictions are back in place. As transport and logistics are deemed essential services, the employees can leave their homes and work normally, with general caution measures. Port complexes Located in São Luís, the Public Port of Itaqui, the Ponta da Madeira Terminal and the ALUMAR Terminal are operating normally. Cargo Movement exempted from restrictions. - Agents Port meeting, comercial visitors, workshops and training courses are suspended. - Compulsory usage of facemask and gloves within Port premises and vessels. - Crewmembers are not allowed to leave the vessel, except for medical needs. Crew change temporally suspended. MUCURIPE / PECÉM (CE) June 1st – Lockdown ends in Fortaleza. Other cities are kept under lockdown. Fortaleza, the state capital, is no longer under lockdown under lockdown, which lasted from May 8th. to May 31st. After having accomplished the transition phase, the city is under phase 1 of 4. There are barriers in the entries of some cities of the state under lockdown, but cargo transport is exempted from any restriction. Port activity remains normal both in Mucuripe (Fortaleza) and Pecém. - Many flights inbound to Fortaleza were cancelled due to the drop in the demand caused by the restrictions. - Passenger Ships are not authorized to come alongside unless otherwise requested by local Authorities. - Despite the lockdown, both Pecém and Fortaleza ports are functioning normally. AREIA BRANCA / NATAL (RN) Rio Grande do Norte (RN) has two major ports. One of them is in Natal, the capital of the state, which is under general restrictions, with stores and offices closed so that people can stay at their homes. As essential services are exempted from these measures, cargo transport/shipping is normal, with typical restrictions on gatherings and personal contact. The other port is the the Porto-Ilha, a port built for salt export in an artificial island deep sea, with a base in Areia Branca, a city which is the most important industrial pole for salt production in Brazil. Areia Branca is under lockdown as of June 12th. The lockdown shall remain until June 21st. Apart from those who work in essential activities, people can only leave their houses for medical reasons and to buy food. Cargo transport/shipping are also deemed essential activies, but it is not clear if the production of salt itself will be affected, which is unlikely as it generates much of the revenue of the municipality. - Agents Port meeting, commercial visitors, workshops and training courses are suspended. Compulsory usage of facemask and gloves within Port premises and vessels. RECIFE (PE) - Agents Port meeting, commercial visitors, workshops and training courses are suspended. Compulsory usage of facemask and gloves within Port premises and vessels. - Crewmembers are not allowed to leave the vessel, except for medical needs. Crew change temporally under restrictions. MACEIÓ (AL) - Passenger Ships are not authorized to come alongside unless otherwise requested by local Authorities. - Crew change under restrictions. TMIB (SE) - Reinforced controls by Health Authorities, as per National standards SALVADOR/COTEGIPE/ILHÉUS (BA) - Reinforced controls by Health Authorities, as per National standards - Crewmembers are not authorized to come alongside unless otherwise requested by local Authorities. - Strict policy for protective gear including face mask are also in force Source: Promare

Covid-19: Updates on crew change in Brazil The Federal Government decided to maintain, for another 30 days, the restrictions for the entry of non-resident foreigners of all nationalities. The measure came into force last Friday (22) and effectively extends the restrictions created in March, with the usual exceptions related to cargo transport and airline personal. Also, the restriction continues to not apply to foreign professionals on mission serving an international organization; foreign employees accredited to the Brazilian Government; and spouse, partner, son, father or curator of a Brazilian whose entry is authorized by the Brazilian Government or holder of a National Migration Registry. The disembarkation of crewmembers remains forbidden, unless it is for medical assistance or for connection to return to the country of origin, provided it authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and accompanied by National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the Federal Police. For the first time, it has been expressly authorized the entry and permanence of foreign seafares bearing an international seafarer's license issued under the terms of the ILO Convention, a reference to the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958. It has also been expressly mentioned that a passport indicating that the holder is a seafare will have the same legal value of an international seafarer's license, provided that the passport has been issued by a member of the aforementioned convention. Either way, the entry of the seafare must be requested by the shipping agency to the Federal Police, for the execution of specific functions on vessels and platforms. This improvement follows complains by the IMO on the situation of seafares who could not leave their vessels even when their contracts had expired, because the shipping company could not change the crewmembers, as the seafarers could not enter brazilian territory. In the past months, the IMO has been arguing to the members of the UN they should consider the shipping a essential activity, to be exempted from the rules generally placed in order to restrict international travels. Source: G1

THE SUPER CYCLONE ‘AMPHAN’ (PRONUNCIATION: UM-PUN) (ECP: 926 HPA) OVER WEST CENTRAL BAY AND ADJOINING AREA MOVED NORTH- NORTHEASTWARDS AND NOW LIES OVER THE SAME AREA (LAT. 16.0°N, LONG. 86.7°E) AND WAS CENTRED AT 06 AM TODAY (19 MAY, 2020) ABOUT 890 KM SOUTHWEST OF CHATTOGRAM PORT, 840 KM SOUTHWEST OF COX’S BAZAR PORT, 785 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MONGLA PORT AND 775 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF PAYRA PORT. IT IS LIKELY TO MOVE IN A NORTH-NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND MAY CROSS BANGLADESH COAST BETWEEN KHULNA-CHATTOGRAM DURING LATE NIGHT 19 MAY 2020 TO AFTERNOON / EVENING 20 MAY 2020. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WIND SPEED WITHIN 90 KMS OF THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS ABOUT 225 KPH RISING TO 245 KPH IN GUSTS/ SQUALLS. SEA WILL REMAIN VERY HIGH NEAR THE CYCLONE CENTRE. MARITIME PORTS OF MONGLA AND PAYRA HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO KEEP HOISTED DANGER SIGNAL NUBMER SEVEN (R) SEVEN. COASTAL DISTRICTS OF SATKHIRA, KHULNA, BAGHERHAT, JHALOKATHI, PIROZPUR, BORGUNA, PATUAKHALI, BHOLA, BARISHAL, LAXMIPUR, CHANDPUR AND THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS WILL COME UNDER DANGER SIGNAL NUMBER SEVEN (R) SEVEN. MARITIME PORTS OF CHATTOGRAM AND COX’S BAZAR HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO KEEP HOISTED DANGER SIGNAL NUBMER SIX (R) SIX. COASTAL DISTRICTS OF NOAKHALI, FENI, CHATTOGRAM AND COX’S BAZAR THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS WILL COME UNDER DANGER SIGNAL NUMBER SIX (R) SIX. UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM “AMPHAN” AND THE NEW MOON PHASE, THE LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE COASTAL DISTRICTS OF SATKHIRA, KHULNA, BAGHERHAT, JHALOKATHI, PIROZPUR, BORGUNA, PATUAKHALI, BHOLA, BARISHAL, LAXMIPUR, CHANDPUR, NOAKHALI, FENI, CHATTOGRAM AND THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS ARE LIKELY TO BE INUNDATED BY STORM SURGE OF 4-5 FEET HEIGHT ABOVE NORMAL ASTRONOMICAL TIDE. THE COASTAL DISTRICTS OF SATKHIRA, KHULNA, BAGHERHAT, JHALOKATHI, PIROZPUR, BORGUNA, PATUAKHALI, BHOLA, BARISHAL, LAXMIPUR, CHANDPUR, NOAKHALI, FENI, CHATTOGRAM AND THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE WIND SPEED UP TO 140-160 KPH IN GUSTS/ SQUALLS WITH HEAVY TO VERY HEAVY FALLS DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE STORM. ALL FISHING BOATS AND TRAWLERS OVER NORTH BAY AND DEEP SEA HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY AND WILL REMAIN IN SHELTER TILL FURTHER NOTICE.

Currently, more than 4,000 TEUs of import containers can be unloaded every day allowing vessels to complete loading and unloading goods at a faster rate, which helps reduce the vessels' stay time at jetties. Vessels' berth occupancy time that had reached 6-7 days last month came down to 3-4 days now, port officials said. The vessels' waiting time at the outer anchorage for getting berths has also dropped to 13-14 days from 16-18 days. Subsequently, the number of vessels waiting at the outer anchorage declined to 24 yesterday though the number hovered around 36 before the steps were taken. AIS Station -BDCGP