The icebeaking tug CG 'Bristol Bay' (MMSI: 366999978) has failed to open a fairway for the 'Manitoulin' to enable the ship the further transit to the winter lay up in Saarnia, Ontaria. The 'Neah-Bay' (MMSI: 366999981) of the USCG and the buoy layer CCG „Samuel Risley“ (IMO: 8322442) were now deployed to get the ship freed.
News
MAERSK SALTORO
The 'Maersk Saltoro' broke down on Jan 13, 2025 ( Lat. 6.4326 Lng. 161.8149'), en route from San Antonio in Chile to Nansha. The ship was supposed to arrive in the port of destination on Jan 19, but is currently stationary in Micronesia. The ship has, among other things, 1,300 containers with fresh Chilean cherries on board, cherries that were supposed to be on the table for Chinese New Year on Jan 29. Now the cherries risk going bad before they reach Chinese consumers, with major losses as a result. Maersk confirmed that problems have arisen with the ship and that everything was being done to have it repaired as quickly as possible. A special team is ready to speak to customers who are concerned about their goods on board the 'Maersk Saltoro', which was still NUC on Jan 26 in pos. 02° 14' N 155° 17' E.
OMBO
On Jan 25, 2025, the 'Ombo' has been taken out of service due to a grounding incident at the entranced to the Eids Soudn during a storm on Jan 24 at 9.45 p.m. The cause was a strong gust of wind. There were four passengers and a crew of eight on board, but there were no injuries. The ferry docked without any problems, and the two cars on board drove ashore. The ship, howevver, must be repaired in a shipyard. Divers inspected the ship's hull. The operator Norled inserted the 'Hella' at 1:30 p.m. from Halsnøy. Calls at Eidssund were cancelled until further notice, The 'Ombo' sailed to Stavanger on Jan 26, after it had received permission from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate.
KHATANGA
The 'Khatanga', which has been docked and deteriorating in Gdynia for over six years after failing a Port State inspection, broke lose on Jan 12, 2025. The inspection had uncovered serious structural issues and crew competency concerns, forcing the vessel into indefinite limbo. Abandoned by its owners, the Murmansk Shipping Company, after their 2020 bankruptcy, the tanker has been left to rot without so much as a skeleton crew to keep it afloat. The situation came to a head during recent winter storms when the tanker broke loose from its moorings twice, on Dec 15, 2024, and then on Jan12 – prompting frantic efforts to secure it. The Seaport Authority has been fighting a legal battle to seize the ship, citing years of unpaid port fees racked up by its absentee owners. Adding the Murmansk Shipping Company to international sanctions lists is one potential move, which would allow Polish authorities to take control of the vessel. Brokers have even listed the 'Khatanga' for sale.
EVENTIN
The 'Eventin' is remaining in German custody. The authorities will not let the ship sail until the safety on board complies with international regulations. At the same time, the German customs service has seized the ship's cargo of 99,000 tons of Russian oil, on the grounds that the cargo is a violation of the international embargo against the export of Russian oil. According to the German authorities, in this context, it does not matter why the tanker is in German waters. The captain had requested permission to continue sailing, as the ship's engines have now been repaired and power is back on board.