News

The 'Spirit f Tasmania' (IMO: 9936587), which has been delayed in Edinburgh as the port infrastructure in its home port of Devonport is not currently fit to house the ship, has extended its lease in Edinburgh for another 30 days, after the state-owned operator TT-Line had been unable to find a third party to lease the ferry. The lease extension was significantly cheaper than the initial berthing costs for the vessel, at an average weekly cost of $23,915, plus ancillary costs. The ferry had arrived at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh on Dec 4. Both the 'Spirit of Tasmania IV' and the sister ship 'Spirit of Tasmania V', which is still under construction, are too big for the existing infrastructure of Devonport. A delay in the port upgrade meant that it was unlikely that Devonport will be able to receive them until early 2027. The Spirit of Tasmania ferries connect Tasmania with Geelong, Victoria. TT-Line Company moved its Victorian port operations for Spirit of Tasmania from Station Pier, Port Melbourne, to Corio Quay, north of Geelong in 2020.

Azerbaijan has sent a note to Eritrea regarding three Azerbaijan flagged tugs and their crews, which were detained after entering the territorial waters of the State of Eritrea on Nov 7, 2024. Each ship had six Azerbaijani sailors, with a total of 18 crew members, on board. The 'CMS Pahlavan', 'CMS Igid' and 'CMS-3', operated by the Azerbaijani branch of the company Caspian Marine Services B.V., had no choice but to enter due to deteriorating weather conditions, en route from the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi. Although prior contact was made with the port authorities of the State of Eritrea, it was not possible to provide information. After entering the 12-mile territorial waters of the State of Eritrea, the relevant authority of the State emphasized that the entry was unauthorized, and the vessels were detained. Azerbaijan sent a note to Eritrea, through the Azerbaijani embassies in Ethiopia and Russia, stating that the entry into Eritrean territorial waters did not contradict international legal norms. Relevant meetings were held at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eritrea’s embassies in Türkiye and Moscow. Efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the vessels and crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance. The Agency was also in regular contact with the Azerbaijani branch of the Caspian Marine Services B.V. company, which owns the ship. The ships are supplied with food and other necessities on time, and relevant assistance is provided for communication between the crew and their families.

Azerbaijan has sent a note to Eritrea regarding three Azerbaijan flagged tugs and their crews, which were detained after entering the territorial waters of the State of Eritrea on Nov 7, 2024. Each ship had six Azerbaijani sailors, with a total of 18 crew members, on board. The 'CMS Pahlavan', 'CMS Igid' and 'CMS-3', operated by the Azerbaijani branch of the company Caspian Marine Services B.V., had no choice but to enter due to deteriorating weather conditions, en route from the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi. Although prior contact was made with the port authorities of the State of Eritrea, it was not possible to provide information. After entering the 12-mile territorial waters of the State of Eritrea, the relevant authority of the State emphasized that the entry was unauthorized, and the vessels were detained. Azerbaijan sent a note to Eritrea, through the Azerbaijani embassies in Ethiopia and Russia, stating that the entry into Eritrean territorial waters did not contradict international legal norms. Relevant meetings were held at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eritrea’s embassies in Türkiye and Moscow. Efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the vessels and crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance. The Agency was also in regular contact with the Azerbaijani branch of the Caspian Marine Services B.V. company, which owns the ship. The ships are supplied with food and other necessities on time, and relevant assistance is provided for communication between the crew and their families.

An SAR operation was started for Dan McGilvray, 51, a passenger of the 'Norwegian Epic' who went overboard while the ship en route to the Bahamas has been abandoned. on Dec 26 2024. The 51-year-old man went overboard at approximately 3 p.m. as the 'Norwegian Epic' was sailing northbound from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, toward Great Stirrup Cay. Before, he yelled “I can’t take it anymore”, and his elderly mom had in vain tried to grab him to stop him going over. The authorities were immediately notified, and the SAR operation under the guidance and oversight of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center was started. The search was ultimately deemed unsuccessful, after which the ship was 'released by the authorities to continue its voyage, after the local Coastguard along with the ship's crew had scoured the water for the missing man but were unable to locate him. The man who went overboard was traveling with a large group, including his family. Bahamas investigators believed that McGilvray, a financial adviser from Denver, may have experienced an adverse reaction to his seizure medication before he climbed over a balcony. Before jumping, he was visibly distressed, and despite attempts to restrain him, he jumped from a balcony into the sea. The ship had departed Port Canaveral, Florida, on Dec 22 on a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage. The vessel was now being diverted to Nassau. Itreturned to the Sunshine State on Dec 28. Reports with photos: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14228815/Norwegian-cruise-ship-overboard-passenger-Bahamas.html https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/distressed-colorado-dad-dan-mcgilvray-jumped-off-cruise-ship-in-caribbean-despite-mom-trying-to-stop-him-report/ar-AA1xaPPb

Azerbaijan has sent a note to Eritrea regarding three Azerbaijan flagged tugs and their crews, which were detained after entering the territorial waters of the State of Eritrea on Nov 7, 2024. Each ship had six Azerbaijani sailors, with a total of 18 crew members, on board. The 'CMS Pahlavan', 'CMS Igid' and 'CMS-3', operated by the Azerbaijani branch of the company Caspian Marine Services B.V., had no choice but to enter due to deteriorating weather conditions, en route from the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi. Although prior contact was made with the port authorities of the State of Eritrea, it was not possible to provide information. After entering the 12-mile territorial waters of the State of Eritrea, the relevant authority of the State emphasized that the entry was unauthorized, and the vessels were detained. Azerbaijan sent a note to Eritrea, through the Azerbaijani embassies in Ethiopia and Russia, stating that the entry into Eritrean territorial waters did not contradict international legal norms. Relevant meetings were held at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eritrea’s embassies in Türkiye and Moscow. Efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the vessels and crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance. The Agency was also in regular contact with the Azerbaijani branch of the Caspian Marine Services B.V. company, which owns the ship. The ships are supplied with food and other necessities on time, and relevant assistance is provided for communication between the crew and their families.