Global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services GAC Group on Friday (28 August) published guidelines for obtaining approval for Hotwork and Bunker permits that has been revised by the Port Authority of New South Wales due to Covid-19: 

Due to COVID-19, the port officer does not attend vessels. The Port Authority of New South Wales has issued revised guidelines for processing the approval of Hotwork and Bunker permits. The following procedure will be in place until the port officer is allowed to go back onboard vessels to physically inspect the hotwork and bunker operations:

1. Agent submits permit in CPorts.
2. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) email a link to the permit to [email protected] and agents responsible for the vessel. In the email the agent is advised to obtain photographs and forward to the port officer (PO), with copy to VTS, for approval prior to the permit being approved by VTS in CPorts.
3. When the PO obtains photos from an agent or contractor and finds them acceptable for approval, he will advise VTS to approve in CPorts.
4. VTS operator approves permit in CPorts.
5. A dissemination is then automatically forwarded to the VTS operator who approved the permit and the agent responsible with a copy of the permit in an attachment. This dissemination should then be forwarded to the POs for their information.
6. VTS to save pictures in Hotwork/Bunker Photos folder under VTS inbox (newly created)
7. When bunkering is complete, PO advises VTS of completed time so CPorts can be updated as complete.

The original notice from GAC Group can be viewed here. 

Photo credit: Port Authority of New South Wales / Nicholas Leonard
Published: 1 September, 2020