Ports & destinations

Puerto Vallarta to start re-opening on May 18

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 17 May 2020 17 May 2020

The city of Puerto Vallarta will start its reopening process on May 18h as the State of Jalisco enters Phase 0 of its COVID-19 recovery plan on Monday, May 18. Phase 0 will last at least 15 days and allow for the gradual return of some economic activities. It is the first step in preparing protocols for the next phases of the plan. During this time, social distancing, and the use of face masks outside the home will remain mandatory. Stores, public roads, and businesses previously deemed non-essential that are linked to supply chains are allowed to operate at 50 percent of capacity. Select businesses that do not generate crowds and adhere to social distancing guidelines will also be permitted to open.

Beaches, public spaces, shopping malls, bars, and nightclubs will remain closed. Restaurants and cafes that commit to applying established sanitation and safety protocols may operate at 50 percent of their capacity.

Hotel services such as access to swimming pools, bars, gyms, beach clubs, and private beaches remain suspended at this time. Cleaning, sanitizing, and disease prevention measures are in place at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, the cruise port, on public transportation, in supermarkets, and in government offices which are providing limited services. Local authorities are working closely with the travel sector to progressively implement updated protocols to support the transition to the next phase of recovery.

“Tourism is a very important industry in our state, and we are looking forward to welcoming back international visitors when the time is right,” said German Ralis, Minister of Tourism of the State of Jalisco. “However, we remain very cautious with our plans for re-opening Jalisco, including popular tourism destinations like Puerto Vallarta, to ensure that the safest and cleanest conditions await guests upon their return.”

Throughout Phase 0, the government will continue to monitor the number of new cases identified and the ability to isolate and provide contact tracing for individuals who test positive, in order to determine when the state can proceed to the next phase of opening. More information will be available it the coming weeks.

Galveston Wharves, Corps ink agreement on channel deepening project

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 12 May 2020 12 May 2020

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will complete engineering and design resulting in a set of plans and specification ready for solicitation to deepen the last 2,571 feet the Galveston Ship Channel to 46 feet under a design agreement signed with the Galveston Wharves today. If Federal construction funding is received, channel dredging could initiate as early as 2021.

“Deepening and expanding the western portion of the channel will allow us to accommodate larger cargo ships, which will bring regional economic benefits, as well as more port revenues and jobs,” said Galveston Wharves CEO and Port Director Rodger Rees.

The Corps estimates an average annual benefit of $1.6 million from the $13.4 million Galveston Harbor Channel Extension project. The 25-percent local match of approximately $3.3 million will be funded equally by the Galveston Wharves and Texas International Terminals.

“The Design Agreement is significant in that it permits Galveston District to initiate the design for this critical important project. Design was initiated on May 5, 2020,” said Dionicio (Dee) Gonzales, Project Manager for USACE - Galveston District.

The Corps will continue to maintain the federally owned 3.8-mile-long channel, which currently has a depth of 46 feet and an additional 2,571 feet at a depth of 41-feet.

Rees added, “This project supports our recently adopted Strategic Master Plan, which includes expanding cargo operations on the western end of the port. We greatly value our strong partnership with the Corps and their support.”

Norway provides new guidance on holiday and leisure travel

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 17 May 2020 17 May 2020

Norwegian health authorities issued updated guidance on May 15 on holiday and leisure travel in Norway. The new guidance will help to make travelling in Norway this summer a safe experience. Also on May 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended its own travel advice, continuing to caution against non-essential travel to all countries. As it stands, this advice will remain in effect until 20 August. By 15 June, however, consideration will be given to amending the travel advice as it pertains to the Nordic countries. By 20 July, consideration will be given to amending it for certain other nearby European countries.

New cruise facility for the Port of Valencia

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 03 May 2020 03 May 2020

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has put out to tender the administrative concession for the construction and operation of the new public passenger terminal of the port of Valencia. This infrastructure will be located in a total area of approximately 100,000 m2 located between the Poniente Pier and the Espigón del Turia Pier, in the area previously occupied by the Unión Naval de Levante. The concession will be granted for a term of 35 years, extendable up to a maximum of 50 years. The deadline for submitting an offer ends on April 17.

In accordance with the tender specifications, the new terminal will be used to serve cruise traffic, regular lines with the Balearic Islands and Algeria as well as ro-ro traffic. For this, the new terminal must have at least four berths, allowing at least one of them the berth of a cruise of 360 meters in length and another berth of at least 250 meters in length. All berths must be equipped with a power supply network for ships. The terminal must be able to accommodate two cruise ships on the same day, one in the base port regime and the other in transit, and two ferry / ro-pax ships.

A secure and accessible terminal

Given its characteristics, the new terminal must guarantee the independent operation of cruise passengers and passengers of regular lines. Likewise, the specifications include a building for the reception of passengers with an entrance hall, luggage storage area, security control equipped with X-rays and metal detection arches, space for customs and for the bodies and security forces of the State. With regard to the terminal’s own services, the specifications provide that, at a minimum, it provides space for sanitation, waiting area, gateways for access from the boarding passage to the ship and vice versa with security cameras, wi-fi , tourist office, public toilets area, crew rest room and check-in area for cruise lines. Optionally, the concessionaire may provide other services such as office for the PAV, area for large groups, warehouses, VIP area, catering area, commercial area, vending, ATMs, vehicle rental areas or prayer room. The design of the terminal must guarantee accessibility for people with reduced mobility.

With regard to the outside area, the terminal must have a short-stay parking area with at least 100 seats, bus station area and collective transport with at least 10 seats, taxi rank. Likewise, it will have a waiting area for international regular line tickets for Operation Paso del Estrecho with 600 parking spaces, children’s recreational area and restaurant and services area. The new terminal will have two independent accesses: that of heavy vehicles that will arrive through the South Access and that of light vehicles that will enter the terminal through the access provided by the citizen.

Buildings of historical value

The ordination of the new terminal must respect the four elements of the former shipyard of the Naval Union of Levante cataloged by the Demetrio Ribes Chair as pieces of artistic historical value. Specifically, it is the water tank, the construction stage of ships, 2 cranes that can be placed in another location and sub-A of the ship III. In the latter case, the PAV will undertake the rehabilitation of the structure, facade and roofs of this building while the concessionaire will take care of the rest of the reform for its adaptation to the new intended use, respecting the architecture of the ship and the west facade of the same. It will be a historic and emblematic building of the Maritime València that will continue to serve the city and citizens – more than a hundred years after its construction – now, with the most modern environmental technologies.

Environmental plan

In addition to the business plan, the sheet must submit an ambitious environmental plan that must include the commitment to adopt an ecological and sustainable management system, participation in joint initiatives promoted by the PAV as well as an environmental impact assessment study. As stated in the specifications, all berths must be equipped with a power supply network to the docked ships; and all roofs and roofs of existing buildings must be designed for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels. Likewise, bidders must submit a Corporate Social Responsibility (RSC) plan for the new public passenger terminal.

Award criteria

For the award of the offer, the specifications establish 45 points for the economic offer and 55 points for the business plan. Specifically, for the award of the points related to the business plan, 15 points will be awarded for the operation of the terminal valuing the operating procedures and the organization of the terminal, the organization of the concession scope, the basic project and the integration of Sub-Ship A of Ship 3. On the other hand, the general business strategy and the CSR plan will be valued with 5 points, respectively. In the case of the CSR plan, the corporate governance strategy will be taken into account, as well as measures of gender equality, family conciliation and universal accessibility conditions. For its part, the Environmental Plan provided by bidders will allow up to 20 points. Of these, 7 points will be awarded for measures to reduce equivalent CO2 emissions and / or energy consumption in machinery, equipment and facilities of the terminal; another 7 points will be awarded to the proposal with a higher percentage of energy use from renewable sources; and the remaining 6 will be awarded to the proposal with a higher percentage of machinery and electrical equipment or that work with alternative fuels not derived from petroleum. Finally, the rate offer will be valued with 10 points.