On May 9, 2024, Houthi militants continued targeting the MSC Mediterranean Shipping company vessels, asserting them as ‘Israeli Ships’. The militants claimed to have attacked the 'MSC Gina', 'MSC Diego' and the 'MSC Vittoria'. However, a statement of the Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree did not provide any details nor any of the international security agencies have confirmed the attack. The military tracking operations have also not identified any new attacks on vessels or received information from ships operating in that region. The last report provided by UKMTO about the explosion near a merchant vessel came on May 7, when missiles were launched from Yemen that might have targeted the 'MSC Gina', which had departed from Sri Lanka, amd the 'MSC Diego', which had sailed from Oman, in the Gulf of Oman. Currently both vessels were providing extra assistance in the region to Djibouti. The Houthis had also claimed to have fired twice on the 'MSC Vittoria' in the Indian Ocean and laer in the Arabian Sea. This attack was also not recognized by the military tracking operation nor any information was received from the vessel.
News
DALI
On May 9 the Key Bridge Unified Command prepared to use small charges for controlled demolition of portion of bridge that were lying across the 'Dali'. Using precision cuts made with small charges was regarded as the safest and swiftest method to remove the bridge piece from on top of the vessel, whic is an industry-standard tool in controlled demolition that will break the span into smaller pieces, which will allow the work of refloating the vessel and removing it from the federal channel. The operation was initially scheduled to take place on May 11, sometime after 5:30 p.m. local time (EDT). US Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Ronald Hodges told CNN on May 10 the controlled demolition will not happen on May 11 due to the adverse weather forecast. The Key Bridge Response Unified Command will determine if there’s an opportunity for the demolition to take place on May 12. Photos: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/post/update-23-photo-release-key-bridge-unified-command-prepares-to-use-small-charges-for-controlled-dem
Yaizu
Yaizu Port is one of the leading fishing ports in Japan. In August 2022, the VesselTracker AIS receiving station opened at Yaizu Port.
Chittagong
A fire at a container depot in the town of Sitakunda about 40 km from Chittagong led to a chemical explosion in containers that killed at least 49 and injured more than 300 people on June 4, 2022. Among those killed in the blast that could be heard several miles away were several firefighters. Dozens of dead were scattered among the burnt-out containers and many of the wounded were in critical condition after the huge explosion in the depot containing about 4,000 containers. Hundreds of firefighters, police and volunteers quickly arrived at the depot as the fire broke out around 6 p.m. LT. The extinguishing work had started when the violent explosion threw parts from containers and people into the air. At least five firefighters were killed and even more injured. Many were still missing on June 5. The container depot serves as a staging post for the goods - primarily clothing - to be exported via Chittagong, and contained millions of dollars worth of clothing that was to be passed on to businesses in Western countries. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLiyBU7RKIc&feature=emb_title
MSC GINA
On May 9, 2024, Houthi militants continued targeting the MSC Mediterranean Shipping company vessels, asserting them as ‘Israeli Ships’. The militants claimed to have attacked the 'MSC Gina', 'MSC Diego' and the 'MSC Vittoria'. However, a statement of the Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree did not provide any details nor any of the international security agencies have confirmed the attack. The military tracking operations have also not identified any new attacks on vessels or received information from ships operating in that region. The last report provided by UKMTO about the explosion near a merchant vessel came on May 7, when missiles were launched from Yemen that might have targeted the 'MSC Gina', which had departed from Sri Lanka, amd the 'MSC Diego', which had sailed from Oman, in the Gulf of Oman. Currently both vessels were providing extra assistance in the region to Djibouti. The Houthis had also claimed to have fired twice on the 'MSC Vittoria' in the Indian Ocean and laer in the Arabian Sea. This attack was also not recognized by the military tracking operation nor any information was received from the vessel.
KRITI RUBY
The chief engineer and 2nd engineer of the 'Kriti Ruby' admitted to charges over a discharge of oily waste near a New Jersey petroleum terminal in 2022 and concealing the pollution by falsifying records. Konstantinos Atsalis, 57, the chief engineer, pleaded guilty before the U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas in Newark, N.J., federal court to an information charging him with two counts of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, including falsifying the vessel’s oil record book. Sonny Bosito, 54, the 2nd engineer, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships. Atsalis admitted that the vessel’s crew had knowingly bypassed required pollution prevention equipment by discharging oily waste from the vessel’s engine room through its sewage system into the sea, including near a petroleum offloading facility in Sewaren on the Arthur Kill waterway between New Jersey and Staten Island in September 2022. Atsalis also admitted that he falsified the vessel’s oil record book, a required log regularly inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard, by failing to record the discharge and that he directed crew members to hide equipment used to conduct transfers of oily waste from the engine room bilge wells to the sewage tank before the Coast Guard boarded the vessel. Bosito admitted concealing the discharge of oily waste into the sea through the vessel’s sewage system by causing a false oil record book to be presented to the U.S. Coast Guard during its inspection of the vessel. Bosito admitted directing crew members to hide equipment used to conduct transfers from the bilge wells to the sewage tank before the Coast Guard’s inspection. The charges to which Atsalis and Bosito pleaded guilty each carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing for both defendants is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2024.
Felixstowe
Workers at Felixstowe have decided to go on a strike for the first time since 1989. Shipping firms and union leaders have warned that the actions could heavily impact the supply chains and also leave buyers waiting for their necessary goods and other commodities. Nearly 1,900 members of the Unite at Felixstowe have walked out in a dispute regarding pay in the most recent outbreak of industrial action to hit some sectors of the economy. Workers, including machine operators, crane drivers, and stevedores will take action after voting by more than nine to one in favor of strikes. The union said that the eight-day halt is likely to have a significant impact on the port that typically handles almost 4m containers in one year from about 2,000 ships. Felixstowe handles about half of the containerized freight that enters the country and the actions could indicate that vessels have to be diverted to ports in other places in Europe or the UK. Haulage majors have warned that the strike could have a serious impact on business, while trade organizations have said that the consumers could be affected by price increases. All through Suffolk, the bill could run into millions and all over the country a lot more. It is not going to impact the food supply chains as all fresh produces are in stock, but it will impact the supply chain in terms of fences, furniture, and bits and bobs. Maersk, one of the largest container shippers in the world, has said that the strike may cause delays and force it to make changes to its vessel lineup. In the meantime, consumers may be hit with price hikes and shortages of some products. Consumer prices are already rising owing to the increases in the shipping rates experienced since the middle of 2020. Further disruptions in the UK are going to add to the cost pressures, even though the temporary unavailability of some commodities may be the first noticeable impact on the consumers.
Puerto Brisa
LBH Colombia- SHIP AGENTS We are always glad to provide our dedicated assistance as ship agents when a vessel is calling at any Colombian port or terminal. ON YOUR BEHALF, WE CONTRACT, COORDINATE AND / OR SUPERVISE FOLLOWING SERVICES: - Provision & Ship Chandler - Crew change -Medical assistance -Bilingual assistance, Interpreter / translator for all related maritime services -Ship spares & parcel deliveries -Surveys, inspector, and certificates -Local repairs and technical services Riohacha | Puerto Brisa Calle 14 G # 21A-05 Barrio Cooperativo Phone: +57 315 8984080 E-mail: opz2@lbhcolombia.com https://www.lbhcolombia.com/ __________________________________
CHRYSTAL ARCTIC
The 'Chrystal Arctic', heading west from Vadinar to Ain Sukhna on the morning of May 10, 2024, was approached by a small boat with six people on board about 100 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. The people on board were armed, and a ladder was spotted in the boat. Armed guards on board the tanker fired warning shots that were answered by the pirates. After the exchange of fire, the tanker changed course, while the boat with pirates abandoned the pursuit. A frigate from EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta was nearby in the meantime and took the pirates into custody and treated several of them for more or less serious injuries. However, it was unclear whether the injuries were from the exchange of fire.
Odessa
Russian missiles struck the port of Odessa on July 23, 2022, violating a deal signed a day earlier to curb grain exports from Black Sea ports and ease global food shortages caused by the war. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as blatant "barbarism" and that Moscow could not be trusted to implement the agreement. The Ukrainian military said that the missiles had not caused any significant damage and that preparations were underway to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports. The deal, signed by Moscow and Kyiv on July 22 and brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, has been hailed as a breakthrough after nearly five months of punitive fighting since Russia invaded its neighbor. By allowing grain exports from Black Sea ports, including Odessa, it is seen as crucial in curbing rising global food prices.
Pecem
One of the fastest growing ports in Brazil, having surpassed the mark of 22 million tons handled in 2021, Pecem Port is the newest regular member of the International Association of Ports (IAPH), a global alliance of 170 ports and 140 organizations related to the port sector. Entity of great international prestige, IAPH was founded in 1955 and currently handles more than 60% of the world's maritime trade and around 80% of the world's container traffic, through its members.