End of December 2007 release of the Distance Tables (Build 1.0.6.108) is now available for users of our PortToPort software and Online Distance Tables.

Latest News items are now available as an RSS Feed.

Access to Terschelling Routeing

Amendments have been made to the Tables to allow controlled use of the Terschelling Routeing to those vessels not constrained to use the Mandatory Route for Tankers from North Hinder to the German Bight. (See the latest edition of IMO ‘Ships’ Routeing’)

Two Routeing Points have been established in the two traffic lanes Off Vlieland which are used to control access into the Terschelling Route. These Routeing Points are NOT closed by default and are also linked to the ENV/NAV/Routeing control as there are regulations that apply to their use.

Users wishing to obtain distances between Southern North Sea ports and German North Sea ports or Baltic port via the Terschellinger or Off Vlieland routeing should turn off ENV/NAV/Routeing and then select the appropriate Advanced routeing point to obtain the desired routeing.

NB. Tanker based users should amend their default routeing to ensure that the Terschellinger routing points are NOT enabled.

Navigation in the Baltic West of Gotland

The transit routes used through the Baltic use the Deepwater Route off Gotland as the default route for a vessel of 13.0m draft as the separation scheme off Gotland has a draft restriction of 12.0m. Navigation to the west of Gotland is allowed by opening the Routeing Point ‘West of Gotland’ in the Advanced Routeing area.

The Web based distance tables have been altered to expose these routeing points. The PC based software already had the West of Gotland routing point and the latest release of the tables exposes the Terschellinger routing points.

On the 1^st of July 2007 a number of new Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS’s) have been introduced and others modified. Some 40,000 distances in the tables have changed as a result of this. The vast majority of significant changes relate to changes in routing offshore of northern Norway.

Norway

A new offshore separation scheme around the northern Norwegian coast from Vardo to Rost has been introduced. In general the scheme has moved routes around the coast much further offshore to distances varying between 25’ and 40’. This has resulted in an increase to many of the distances to northern Norwegian ports and Russian ports to the East of Norway. Increases in distances range from 6’ to 50’ for international voyages, the further north and east the destination port is the greater the change.

We understand that for voyages between Norwegian ports, ships may use an inshore route in addition to the Indreleia routes. The Norwegian ports in the tables that are covered by the Inshore and Indreleia routes are:-

Bodo, Glomfjord, Hammerfest Harstad, Honningsvaag, Kirkenes, Mo-i-rana, Namsos, Narvik, Svolvaer and Tromso.

In this release of the tables, we have not implemented the Inshore or Indreleia routes, for the moment all routes between these ports use the new offshore routeing scheme. In the next few days we will be releasing a temporary matrix of distances between these Norwegian ports using both the inshore and Indreleia routes. The next release of the tables will include these routes with more Routeing points around the coast of Norway to allow sufficient control to obtain the desired routeing.

Deep water/Laden Tanker route west of the Hebrides

Some minor adjustments have been made to this route, no significant change to distances.

Routes through the Minches

Some minor adjustments have been made to routeing in this area, no significant change to distances.

Approaches to the Thames Estuary (UK)

A new routeing scheme located around the Sunk has been introduced effecting routes to and from Thames estuary ports and Harwich. In general distances have increased by 2-5’

Southern Central North Sea (UK)

The southern end of the TSS off Botney gorund and Botney cut has been extended. Routes that either transit the Dover Strait or originate in the southern part of the North Sea that are destined for the north east coast of the UK, the Orkney Islands and Pentland Firth are increased by 1-2’. Routes to the south are unchanged.

Northern Adriatic.

A revised routeing scheme has been introduced. Distances to ports located in the north western area of the Adriatic increased by up to 15’. Distances between some ports in this area are reduced by up to 10’.

Mediterranean off Tunis.

The routeing schemes off Iles Cani and Cap Bon have been moved further offshore. Distances for routes transiting this area are generally increased by 3 or 4 miles. Distances transiting the new scheme approaching and departing ports in Tunisia and the western ports in Libya are generally increased by between 3 and 20 miles. Distances to La Goulette, which lies within the scheme, are reduced by up to 10’ when approaching from the West.

Other TSS’s have changed but have no significant impact on distances.

Other changes in this release

Approaches to Aabenraa

Approach route adjusted for the port position which has been moved to the area in the bearth complex. Distances to and from Aabenraa increased by 2’

Approaches to Girrasol

Terminal approach adjusted, distances to the south reduced by 2 to 3’

North coast of Australia

Routes adjusted to ensure compliance with the 25’ rule for tankers. Distances to ports in the Gulf of Carpenteria and those transiting the Torres Strait from or to ports on the western coast of Australia increased

Happy New Year to all our subscribers past, present and future.

The latest release of the Distance Tables has been made today.