News

The fire aboard the 'X-Press Pear' has become controversial amid allegations of corruption in handling compensation claims under the previous government. The island nation had a political leadership change in Sep 2024, with Anura Kumara Dissanayake elected as its new president. The new Sri Lankan government has decided to reopen the case in the wake of allegations that a $6.4bn insurance claim filed in Singapore was mishandled, in order to unearth possible lapses and to ascertain how the claim can be recovered. Abot $8m was settled by the ship’s insurer or P&I club, in multiple stages, against the massive claim. A litigation was ongoing against the feeder line in Singapore, and against its London-based insurer in a UK court. Sri Lanka has legal constraints against the carrier or its insurer in the face of “no asset base” for them in the country to underwrite the damages through potential confiscation, sources believe. Multiple sources, including those attached to the Sri Lanka Marine Environmental Protection Authority, had earlier flagged concerns about some “intentional laxity and delays” by agencies of the previous government in pursuing the claim for damages.

On Nov 5, a ferry reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez that it had observed a body adrift off the coast of Calais. The PSP 'Cormoran' was diverted to the scene, and the PSMP 'ESMP 03' of the Calais maritime gendarmerie was also deployed to carry out a search in the area. Early in the afternoon, the 'Cormoran' reported to the CROSS that it had located two bodies adrift in the sea. The two deceased persons were recovered by the PSMP boat and deposited at the quayside in Calais. The bodies were then taken care of by the maritime gendarmerie, and an investigation was opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor's office.

The 'Nissos Rhenia' is being repaired at its anchorage since Oct 31. It has activated maritime and ecological safety protocols on Nov 5. The repair works began on Oct 31.  A protocol of action was activated by the National Maritime Authority of Portugal and the Portuguese Navy, which sent the corvette NRP 'António Enes' to the area. Once on scene, the ship contacted the tanker and is currently monitoring navigation in the area, ensuring the safety of other ships in the vicinity. The repairs by a technical team are expected to last  until the end of this week, so it can continue its journey to its port of destination.

On the night of Nov 4 , the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a migrant boat was in difficulty, after having suffered an engine failure off the coast of Audresselles. The 'Minck' was deployed to the scene and assisted all 51 people on board the boat. They were then dropped off at the quayside in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they were taken care of by the departmental emergency services and the border police.

The salvage of the 'Taurus I' has entered its final stage as of Nov 5. After two months, the wreck of the ship, which suffered a fire and subsequently sank in the Buenaventura Bay in 2022, the final stage of the removal has begun. After the refloating of the vessel, the disposal was carried out, under the supervision of the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR), guaranteeing compliance with current regulations. The General Maritime Directorate, through the Port Captaincy of Buenaventura, has verified that the extraction of the wreck from a depth of, approximately 12 meters. was carried out safely. The salvage operation had started on Aug 28 and was carried out by the Colombian company Servicios Portuarios SAS (SerPort) and the international company Resolve Marine. So far, the process has progressed according to plan and without problems in the towing maneuvers. Underwater inspections, diving and evaluation activities of the vessel's condition have been carried out, as well as the verification of possible remnants of fuel and organic waste, along with an analysis of the seabed. In addition, an extraction plan was implemented that included the transfer of the vessel to a shallower area and its refloating. Following the disposal of the remains, inspections will be carried out to verify its condition and ensure that it is in optimal conditions for safe transit and anchoring in Buenaventura Bay. The General Maritime Directorate will continue to supervise maneuvers at sea to ensure that all activities are carried out safely and in strict compliance with maritime regulations, avoiding any negative impact on the marine environment.