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Beached at Alang 05.10.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160575485100036&set=gm.10163479335523943&idorvanity=6884293942

The ' Joseph Tezanos' offloaded 176 kgs of seized cocaine and transferred custody of two smugglers to DEA Special Agents in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, on Sep 29. The interdiction was the result of multi-agency efforts in support of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force, while the seized cocaine is estimated to have a wholesale value of $4.3 million. The apprehended smugglers were U.S. citizens, who were facing federal prosecution in Puerto Rico on criminal charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of imprisonment for life. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Helena B. Daniel and Max Pérez-Bouret, Chief of the Transnational Organized Crime Section were prosecuting the case. On the morning of Sep 28, a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft had detected a suspicious 22-foot sport-craft vessel in international waters navigating towards Rincón, Puerto Rico. Coast Guard watchstanders in Sector San Juan diverted the 'Joseph Tezanos' to the scene, which stopped the vessel. Once alongside, the crew located 142 brick-sized packages of suspected contraband inside the vessel, which tested positive for cocaine. The two persons onboard the vessel were arrested. Report with photo: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3923080/coast-guard-offloads-43-million-in-seized-cocaine-transfers-2-smugglers-to-dea/

On Oct 4, 2024, a passenger had to be medevaced from the “Volcán de Timanfaya”, when the ship, which temporarily was covering the Málaga-Melilla route of the Armas Trasmediterránea Group, was 23 nautical miles west of Alborán. At 02:43 a.m. the ship's notification was received by Salvamento Marítimo, and the CCS Almería mobilized the Helimer 205 SAR helicopter, which proceeded to evacuate him and transferred him to the airport of the capital of Almería.

The head of Amnesty International, Slovenia, Natasa Posel, has requested the governments of Slovenia, Montenegro, and Portugal not to allow the 'Kathrin' to dock in their ports as it was believed to be carrying explosives to Israel. The Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, recently had confirmed that the ship was transporting explosive material for transport to Israel. The Namibian government also previously affirmed that the cargo on board was destined to Israel. AIS data indicated that the ship is currently headed to Bari with an ETA as of Oct 5. On Aug 25, the Namibian authorities had refused entry to the vessel in its ports. The Namibian Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab issued directives, which ended up revoking the vessel's previously obtained permission to dock. The decision came shortly after authorities confirmed that the ship was transporting cargo of 60 containers of TNT and eight containers of RDX hexogen explosives. Posel declared the cargo to be deadly, posing a great risk that it would be used in the ongoing offensive in Gaza. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Occupied Palestinian Territories, has identified the explosive cargo as key components in bombs deployed by Israel against Palestine and has called for an arms embargo against Israel. She further emphasized that the transfer of any military equipment could violate international conventions in the current scenario. Amnesty International also cited Common Article 1 of the Geneva Convention and stated that all countries must uphold their legal obligations by not facilitating actions that could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The 'Kathrin', believed to be carrying explosives intended for Israel, plans to unload part of its cargo in the port of Koper after previously stopping in Montenegro, it was reported on Oct 3. The ship, which departed from Vietnam in mid-July, is carrying eight containers of the explosive hexogen and 60 containers of TNT. According to Slovenia’s Maritime Administration, the vessel’s cargo is also destined for Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, though concerns surrounding the shipment have drawn international attention. Jadran Klinec, director of Slovenia's Maritime Administration, confirmed that the shipowner intends to change the vessel’s flag. However, the process of transferring the ship from the Portuguese registry to another country has not yet been completed. Due to the situation, officials have not been able to provide a precise date for the ship's expected arrival in Koper. The country's authorities have refused to allow the entry into the port of Bar, prompting the vessel to consider docking at the port of Ploce. Currently, the 'Kathrin' has taken down the Portuguese flag and remains in international waters in the southern Adriatic Sea, near Croatian territorial waters by the island of Lastovo. Amnesty International issued a warning on Oct 1, urging both Slovenia and Montenegro to deny the MV Kathrin entry, expressing concern that the ship’s cargo could contribute to potential war crimes, given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The 'Kathrin' was previously prevented from docking in Namibia in August for similar reasons. Slovenia’s Maritime Administration announced that it will not prevent the ship from entering Koper if the appropriate arrival notice is submitted.