Please be advise that we have received the following information from GASSCO A/S:

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In accordance with authority regulations, the Karsto Gas Plant is installing new NGL metering stations.

One of the existing two propane metering stations will be removed approximately 1. July 2010.

The remaining propane metering station has the following restrictions:

• Minimum start-up rate is 300 m3/hr.　 Consequently small vessels may not be accepted in this period.
• Loading of coolant gas will be difficult due to this restriction o­n the loading rate.
• It will not be possible to load two propane vessels simultaneously in this period.

The restricted period will last from 1.July 2010 to approximately 15.November 2010.

This will be planned for the July lifting programme.

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The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) has submitted a proposal relevant to alterations in the coastal dues, Pilot Exemption Certificate regulations etc.

The consequences of the new proposal will most probably be that coasters transporting dry cargo and passengers will benefit from the alterations whereas international traffic, and in particular tankers and lpg/lng ships will be charged higher fees.

The main issues for tankers calling in the Province of Rogaland (including Kårstø, Karmøy, Stavanger, Sauda etc.) will be:

1. Pilot is compulsory; Even if the Master is in possession of a valid pilot exemption certificate, sailing without a pilot cannot be granted if a vessel is loaded with liquid product with a flashpoint below 23 deg.c (oil,gas etc.).
2. Double hull oil tankers are granted a deduction in the fees (as per today)
3. Tankers of 30.000 grt and above arriving in ballast, which are not calling a port for loading, are granted permission to embark / disembark the pilot in Kvitsøy boarding ground no.2. This will exempt the vessel from the costs of boarding / disembarking pilot by helicopter.
4. A safety fee (as per today) for Kvitsoy VTS will be charged for all ships calling in the region. The fee is nok 0,99 pr grt for ships calling at Kårstø, and nok 0,27 pr grt for vessels calling other ports.

As a comment to the proposal (whish has been presented to the NCA) we have concluded as follows :

1. Remove embarking /disembarking of pilot by helicopter for all vessels of 30.000 grt and above, which do not carry dangerous or polluting cargo (incl. tankers in ballast).
2. Remove the VTS fee for vessels calling all other ports in our region, but Kårstø Gas terminal.
3. Warrant a dimidiating of the coastal fee for vessels calling for docking or repairs.
4. Refuse deductions in the remote parts of Norway (which is considered to be a part of a regional policy) at the expense of other shipping groups and other parts of the country.
5. Avoid too high requirements to obtain a pilot exemption certificate, when the navigator has regularly sailed in the waters for years.
6. Refuse imposition of new and increased coastal fees in those cases where a vessel has sailed within Norwegian coastal waters of more than 5 days.