News

The Australian flagge ferry newbuilding 'Spirit of Tasmania V*, 48000 gt (IMO: (IMO 9936599)) broke lose from its moorings in the storm Lyly from the construction pier of the Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC), in Rauma on the evening of Nov 1. The ship ran aground on the embankment after drifting away from its berth in hurricane force winds. The presence of the 'Leo', and two barges between the vessel and the quayside prevented serious damage to the ship, but jammed the tug. The weather conditions at Rauma at the time of the casualty included wind speeds of up to 65 knots. The ship was later refloated and towed back to its berth to undergo investigations regarding bottom damage.

arrived Chittagong Anchorage 03.11.24

Beached at Alang 01.11.24

on Nov 1 at 4.20 a.m.  the chemical tanker 'Southern Puma' (IMO: 9792008), en route from Antwerp to Bilbao, was in collision with the 'Louisa Bolten', en route from Avonmouth to Aliaga, about 20 nautucal miles from Punta Europa (Lat. 36.0279 Lng. -4.9585) . The 'Southern Puma' informed Salvamento Marítimo that it had suffered damage to one side, while the 'Louisa Bolten' had suffered damage to the bow. Both ships still could navigate safely and there were no personal injuries. After the collision, the SAR vessels 'Luz de Mar', 'Salvamar Denébola 'and Salvamar Atria', as well as a helicopter and a plane, have been deployed by Salvamento Marítimo to inspect the accident area and take samples. During the morning hours, with daylight, the helicopter ‘Helimer 220’ flew over the area and detected a stain coming from the ‘Southern Puma’ that was not very large and from which the ‘Salvamar Denébola’ took samples to deliver them to the Maritime Authority of Algeciras. The same vessel later transferred an inspector from the Maritime Authority to the area and it was expected that another surveillance flight would be carried out on the afternoon to inspect the site . So far there is no evidence that either of the two ships was carrying a dangerous cargo in terms of pollution, although the authorities were waiting to determine the characteristics of the spill. The 'Louisa Bolten' had an ETA at Aliaga as of Nov 6 and resumed sailing at around 11 a.m. UTC. The tanker was ordered to remain at the accident site. The association Verdemar Ecologistas en Acción has asked the Maritime Authority to identify the effects on the sea of ​​the spill of 600 tons of paraffin in the Strait. The environmental group has indicated that the 'Southern Puma' was loaded with paraffin that it planned to unload at the dock of the Moeve facilities (the new name of Cepsa) in San Roque (Cádiz).

Princess Cruises had to cancel a second cruise of the 'Regal Princess' due to technical repairs of the vessel in Galveston. After recently cancelling the ship’s Oct. 27, 2024, sailing, the company announced on Oct 30, that the Nov. 3 departure was not going ahead either, as the technicians have been unable to complete essential repairs. After repositioning from Northern Europe, the 'Regal Princess' was scheduled to offer a cruise to the Western Caribbean. Departing from Galveston, the seven-night cruise featured visits to Cozumel and Costa Maya as well as Roatán. Affected guests will receive a full refund of all money paid to Princess and, as a gesture of goodwill, a 25 % future cruise credit (FCC)), which can be used for new bookings made by May 31, 2025, and sailing by May 31, 2026. Guests who used Princess’ EZair program saw their flights automatically cancelled before receiving a full refund. Passengers who made independent travel arrangements were encouraged to contact their airline provider or travel advisor directly for assistance. Princess will reimburse guests’ air change fees up to $200 per person.

The 'Ben-my-Chree' has returned to Douglas early on Nov 1, 2024, after unsuccessful trials at Scottish ports. The vessel, primarily used as a backup to the 'Manxman', had been undergoing berthing trials with the ferry operator CalMac to assess its suitability for service on the Arran route. CalMac confirmed that the trials at the ports of Troon and Brodick proved unsatisfactory. The Ben-my-Chree had carried out berthing trials at the new ferry terminal in Liverpool before heading to Scotland. During trials in Troon and Brodick on Oct 31, while the vessel managed to berth at Brodick, it was reportedly at the edge of its operational safety limits. It would require ‘completely benign conditions’ for the ferry to berth reliably, leading to the decision not to proceed with chartering the ferry for the Arran route. The 'Ben-My-Chree'’s trials came amid challenges for CalMac, whose fleet has been under strain since the 'Caledonian Isles', the main ferry for Arran, went out of service in February. It is not expected back until mid-November. CalMac has also chartered the catamaran 'Alfred' to maintain services on the Arran route at a significant monthly cost, estimated by BBC Scotland to be £1 million. Meanwhile, the long-awaited 'Glen Sannox', under construction at the Ferguson shipyard on the Clyde, was initially scheduled for handover two weeks ago but is now not expected to enter service until January.

On Oct 31, the 'Yu Zhou Qi Hang' has finally run aground northwest of Cape Yehliu, after battling severe weather after a patrol boat of Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) had rescued all 17 crew members from the vessel, which was carrying a ship-to-shore container crane and two gantry grab unloaders, en route from Keelung to Zhangzhou, and brought ashore in Keelung. The vessel originally departed from the Port of Ganjingzi in early October, which serves the Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co (DHHI), the former Dalian Crane Works. It was carrying one STS container crane for the Port of Keelung and two gantry grab unloaders., which were destined for the new Aluminium Smelter in Kalimantan Industrial Park in Indonesia, which is being developed by Adaro and was scheduled to come online in Q3 2024. The ship became beset by rough seas brought on by Typhoon Kong-rey a few hours into the voyage. After it grounded on rocks and became partially submerged, the container crane collapsed across the vessel and onto the shore. The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) classified the event as a major marine occurrence, prompting an investigation. On the afternoon of Nov 1, work was due to start on syphoning fuel from the vessel, which had on board 37 tonnes of diesel, 247 tonnes of heavy oil, and 6,280 litres of lubricating oil at the time of the grounding. The Ocean Affairs Council estimated it would take two to three days to finish, There was only a limited risk of an oil leak, but an emergency relief team was standing by in case of fuel leaks. During the typhoon on Oct31, four oil containment fences were set up in the area. They were intended to protect the fishing ports of Dongao, Yehliu and Guikong and the No. 2 nuclear power station from pollution. Report with photo and video: https://gcaptain.com/huge-crane-laden-ship-wrecks-in-taiwan-just-weeks-after-taking-out-port-cranes/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGRXY5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVqFLwoAEtehmTyy0ygVELGXF5t1JBFka9P2cbDk9K0RGeossK3dxDM5wg_aem_msR2URuECyTYWMltM-FdfQ https://taiwannews.com.tw/news/5962285 https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20241101-taiwan-races-to-remove-oil-from-grounded-chinese-ship

arrived Chittagong Anchorage 02.11.24

Sold to Alang Breakers

arrived Esbjerg Scrapyard 13.10.24

On Nov 1, 2024, at 4.20 a.m.  the 'Southern Puma', en route from Antwerp to Bilbao, was in collision with the bulk carrier 'Louisa Bolten' (IMO: 9406049), en route from Avonmouth to Aliaga, about 20 nautucal miles from Punta Europa (Lat. 36.0279 Lng. -4.9585) . The 'Southern Puma' informed Salvamento Marítimo that it had suffered damage to one side, while the 'Louisa Bolten' had suffered damage to the bow. Both ships still could navigate safely and there were no personal injuries. After the collision, the SAR vessels 'Luz de Mar', 'Salvamar Denébola 'and Salvamar Atria', as well as a helicopter and a plane, have been deployed by Salvamento Marítimo to inspect the accident area and take samples. During the morning hours, with daylight, the helicopter ‘Helimer 220’ flew over the area and detected a stain coming from the ‘Southern Puma’ that was not very large and from which the ‘Salvamar Denébola’ took samples to deliver them to the Maritime Authority of Algeciras. The same vessel later transferred an inspector from the Maritime Authority to the area and it was expected that another surveillance flight would be carried out on the afternoon to inspect the site . So far there is no evidence that either of the two ships was carrying a dangerous cargo in terms of pollution, although the authorities were waiting to determine the characteristics of the spill. The 'Louisa Bolten' had an ETA at Aliaga as of Nov 6 and resumed sailing at around 11 a.m. UTC. The tanker was ordered to remain at the accident site. The association Verdemar Ecologistas en Acción has asked the Maritime Authority to identify the effects on the sea of ​​the spill of 600 tons of paraffin in the Strait. The environmental group has indicated that the 'Southern Puma' was loaded with paraffin that it planned to unload at the dock of the Moeve facilities (the new name of Cepsa) in San Roque (Cádiz).

On Nov 1, 2024, the 'Queen of Surrey' suffered a mechanical problem, which meant that at least three morning sailings had to be cancelled. Affected were the 7:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. departures from Horseshoe Bay, and the 8:40 a.m. departure from Langdale.. The issue was affecting the vessel’s propeller. An engineering team of BC Ferries was working to address the issue. To support customers in the meantime, the operator arranged three water taxis with capacity for up to 12 passengers each, beginning with the 6:20 a.m. departure from Langdale.

The process to remove the fuel from the HMNZS 'Manawanui' is expected to start in November, the New Zealand Defence Force says. The main fuel tanks have remained intact and any small leaks were being managed and contained. The New Zealand Defence Force is actively engaged in discussion on options for fuel removal and undergoing due diligence around contract negotiations and ensuring the Samoan authorities are fully involved in this process. How long the operation will take will be dependent on external influences such as weather. The focus was on minimising any possible environmental impacts. Details on the fuel removal plan would be provided in due course, Report with photos: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/11/01/manawanui-wreck-fuel-removal-due-to-begin-this-month/

On Oct 26, 2024, a fire broke out aboard the 'Cap Lara' in the Port of Quebec. The ship had left the port of Corpus Christi on Oct 10, bound for the Valero refinery in Lévis. The crew was not injured, but the fire caused damage that required repairs. On Oct 31, tugs from the Ocean company were deployed to move the ship to Pier 22, a space usually occupied by cruise ships. An investigation has been opened by Transport Canada. Once the required repairs have been completed, the ship will be ready to set sail again. Report with photo: https://www.msn.com/fr-ca/actualites/R%C3%A9gion%20de%20Qu%C3%A9bec/un-immense-p%C3%A9trolier-immobilis%C3%A9-%C3%A0-qu%C3%A9bec-en-raison-d-un-bris/ar-AA1thZO5?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

Sold to Chittagong Breakers

Beached at Chittagong 01.11.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2189558468092503&set=pcb.10163562405653943

arrived Esbjerg Scrapyard 26.10.24

On Nov 1, 2024, the 'O Cantiño' with nine crew members on board requested towing assistane 15 nautical miles off the shore after the fishing gear had got entangled in the propeller, disabling the ship. The MRCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Finisterre mobilized the SAR vessel 'Salvamar Alioth', which took the ship in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Burela.

Sold to Breakers 28.10.24

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission on Oct 31 issued its interim report into the grounding of the 'Aratere' in June. Its full and final report is expected to be months off. Key to the grounding was a new steering system installed in the ship which could not be disengaged after a button was pushed 36 seconds past a way point, meaning the autopilot clicked on to a later way point and thought it was time to turn right. Instead, under autopilot, the vessel turned beachwards 1.28 nautical miles early, and for two minutes and six seconds the crew were unable to wrestle back of the ship from autopilot. When they did, it was too late and the ship was just seconds from land. The crew did not know they didn't know about two crucial aspects of forcing an override the autopilot: Rudder controls under the new Kronsberg steering system had to align within two degrees and the force takeover button had to be held down for five seconds. Merchant Service Guild vice-President Iain MacLeod said the issue of aligning the rudders was “known” and had happened on other vessels. The crew on the bridge were “highly trained and appropriately certified”, he said. The TAIC interim report said the bridge team were “not aware” of the two checks for override, but Kozhuppakalam and chief commissioner David Clarke said questions about how much, if any, training the crew had in the new system would come out in its final report.