The 'Medstraum' was taken out of service in Stavanger after its battery capacity dropped to 84 percent on Jan 2, 2025. The problems arose when the shipping company increased the ship's operating time, which naturally created increased pressure on the battery packs of the Corvus Energy. Prior to the phase-out, the shipping company Fjord1 had to charge much more frequently than usual because the battery was unable to store enough energy. This led to more frequent charging and delays in the service. The battery system is designed to handle specific loads and cycles. When these parameters change significantly, as was the case with the 'Medstraum', it can lead to overload and ultimately failure. The problem has created a mood of rebellion on Vassøy and the other city islands.
News
DOLPHIN 19
On Feb 6, 2025, the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has seized the 'Dolphin 19' and the Bangladeshi oil tanker 'OT Union' on charges of illegally exchanging fuel oil, evading customs duties at the outer anchorage of Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar. The maritime law enforcement force also detained nine crews of the “OT Union” on charges of illegally supplying fuel. When the BCG’s vessel ‘Apurba Bangla’ was on regular patrol at the outer anchorage of Kutubdia, the crew saw the 'Dolphin 19' collecting fuel oil from the 'OT Union'. It trasnferred approximately 356 metric tons of fuel oil from the Bangladeshi tanker, evading the government a huge amount of revenue. An appropriate legal action of the Chittagong Port Authority is on process through the Marine Court.
GURUDEV
On Feb 8, 2024, at noon, the Port Authority of Pylos was informed by the Greek Coastguard that a 55-year-foreign crew member of the 'Gurudev' , which was situated 13 nautical miles west of the port of Pylos, required immediate hospital treatment. The man was transferred onto the tug 'Pavlos T' and was transported to the port of Pylos, where he was picked up by an ambulance and initially transported to the Pylos Health Center and then to the Kalamata General Hospital, for further treatment.
MATTHEW TT
Four men - the Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, 32; the Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, and the Dutch national 49-year-old Cumali Ozgen - have pleaded guilty to having 2.2 tonnes of cocaine for supply on board the 'Matthew' in Sep 2023. They appeared before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on Feb 6, where they were each arraigned on one of three charges against them. The guilty pleas were acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions on a full-facts basis. Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded the four defendants in custody until Feb 24, when their cases are listed for mention with a view to fixing a sentence date for next term. Eight men in total are facing a number of charges in relation to the drugs seizure. The men had applied to the non-jury Special Criminal Court on Jan 13 to have the charges against them dismissed. Two other defendants Iranian Saeid Hassani, 39, and Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, will stand trial on Feb 10 before the Special Criminal Court arising from the seizure of the cocaine. The two men were remanded in custody until then. A seventh man, Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, was previously arraigned on one of the two charges against him. Mr Lapa pleaded guilty that on dates between Sep 21 and 25, 2023, He attempted to possess cocaine for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying to another. Mr. Lapa was also facing a charge that between July 15 and Sep 23m 2023, both dates inclusive, within the state, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, that he participated in, or contributed to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members. Lapa was the only one of the accused men who did not make an application under the Criminal Procedure Act to have his case dismissed. The UK national Jamie Harbron, 31, has also pleaded guilty to an offence arising from the seizure. He will appear before the court later this year for a sentencing hearing. Mr. Harbron, of South Avenue in Billingham, pleaded guilty that on a date between Sep 21 and 25, 2023, both dates inclusive, he attempted to have cocaine in his possession for the purpose of sale or supply, an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.The 2.25 tonnes of cocaine that was seized from the 'Matthew' has an estimated value of more than €157 million.
