The Houthis claimed to have attacked the U.S. aircraft carrier 'Dwight D. Eisenhower' (MMSI: 368962000), the destroyer USS 'Gravely' (MMSI: 369970634) as well as the 'Abliani' (IMO:9693068), 'Maina' (IMO: 9699892) and 'Al Oraiq' (IMO: 9360790) in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean on June 1, 2024, after USCENTCOM and U.K. armed forces carried out strikes against 13 Houthis controlled areas in Yemen on May 30. The 'Eisenhower' was attacked by several missiles and drones. The 'Abliani' was sailing in the Red Sea, en route from Le Havre to Suez. The Houthi also claimed to have attacked the 'Maina' (IMO: 9699892) twice in the Red Sea and then in the Arabian Sea, while en route from Ust Luga to Krishnapatnam, and also the 'Al Oraiq' (IMO: 9360790) in the Indian Ocean, en route from Ras Laffan to Chioggia. On June 2, The U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) announced that on June 1, their forces destroyed one uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in the southern Red Sea, and identified two other UAS that crashed into the Red Sea. No casualties were reported. USCENTCOM forces have also destroyed two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) in the southern Red Sea. The ASBM was launched in the direction of USS Gravely but was destroyed by USCENTCOM.
News
NIKITIS
On June 1, 2024, at noon, the Central Port Authority of Kavala was informed that the 'Nikitis' allided with the wharf, causing abrasions above the waterline on the starboard bow side of the ship, while performing a scheduled route from the port of Prinos in Thassos to the port of Kavala, with 30 passengers and two vehicles on board. No injuries were reported from the incident and no marine pollution was observed. The Port Authority of Kavala banned the ship from sailing until a certificate of seaworthiness was presented by the monitoring classification society.
Beirut
The Port of Beirut (PoB) resumed partial operations on Aug 10 with the first two container ships berthing in the container terminal after the explosion which killed at least 160 persons, injured thousands and made hundred thousands homeless. Out of 16 cranes at the container terminal, 12 were currently operational. The port was gradually resuming operations to ensure the supply of all kinds of goods to citizens. Bassem Al Kaissi, the new Director of the PoB, said that the container terminal will be fully operational by Aug 14. Al Kaissi said that 420 containers were unloaded on Aug 10. The container terminal storage area has been cleaned up and restored to its state before the blast. The container terminal represents 80 percent of the overall cargo movement at the PoB. It is located one kilometer away from the blast epicenter. Container vessels can dock at quay number 16. Shipping movement at the PoB had already plunged by 75 percent due to the economic crisis and has reached 15 percent following the blast. Customs have opened offices in the PoB’s warehouse number 14 which was partially damaged. The customs have become able to carry out the inspection of merchandise- Customs duties are being temporarily paid at the Rafic Hariri International Airport. Tthe PoB is now handling only full containers as groupage consignment requires warehouses which don’t exist now. Amer Al Kaissi said groupage, which represents 15 percent of shipments at the PoB, will be diverted to the Port of Tripoli until the rebuilding of warehouses at the PoB is completed. The first two containerships to berth at the PoB after the blast were the 'Electra' (Gezairi Transport) and the 'Nicolas Delmas' (CMA CGM). The 'Electra', which was carrying 400 containers, was diverted to Tripoli where there was a license to operate but the company insisted to unload it in Beirut when it was told that the PoB has resumed operation. The CMA CGM Group and CEVA Logistics said they are fully operational and ensuring business continuity to serve their customers. The Group has redeployed its employees in its two back-up sites in Beirut Digital District and reinforced its presence in Tripoli. Part of CMA CGM’s vessels has been temporarily directed to Tripoli. Few shipping companies are authorized to operate in other ports such as Tripoli or Saida. BCTC, the Customs and the PoB’s authorities did their best to handle the clearing formalities despite the difficult working conditions. The general cargo area was fully operational on Aug 12 both for imports and exports. This includes wheat and other grains as well as construction steel bars. The cost of rebuilding the port is estimated at around $1 billion.
NORTH STAR
The 'Tacoma' was sidelined in Tacoma on May 24, 2024, due to mechanical issues which requiered repairs. The ship missed its scheduled May 28 call because of the problem. It is expected to miss June 4 too and then return on June 11. The TOTE Maritime Alaska worked with other shipping companies to find alternative means to get the 'North Star' freight to Alaska, such as by truck and barge. TOTE worked with Matson, the port’s other key cargo shipper, to move some of the freight. It was also filling extra space on the m/v 'Midnight Sun', which is still calling on Alaska. Priority was given to critical items such as perishable groceries, including produce and milk.
NAVIN HAWK
In the afternoon hours of May 31, 2024, the MRCC of the Greek Coast Guard was informed about a migrand boat in a difficult position29 nautucal miles south of Gavdos with 37 people on board. The 'Navin Hawk', en route from Damietta to Rouen, diverted to the position and picked up the castaways, who were then transferred onto a patrol boat and safely transported to the Tigani port of Paleochora and from there to a temporary storage area in the port of Souda. A preliminary investigation was being carried out by the Central Port Authority of Chania, while the boat was seized.
WILSON
Beached at Chittagong 22.05.24 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=947442227173323&set=a.518272956756921
Kiel
The PORT OF KIEL has redesigned the port apron in Ostuferhafen, which is the freight and logistics centre on the fjord. Where once stood a grain silo, there is now an expanded pre-stacking and stand-by area of three hectares for trucks, trailers and pas-senger cars.The State Premier of Schleswig- Holstein, Daniel Günther, visited the Ostufer-hafen on 12th August to hand over the grant notice coming from the State Programme Economy for 5.44 million Euros: The project to redesign the port apron included dismantling three hall areas of the former grain silo, excavation and road works as well as drainage, lighting and security measures and the connection of the area to the infrastructure. Through the new and generous port apron it has been possible to merge formerly separated pre-stacking areas, shorten distances and gain more space for trucks, busses, trailers and passenger cars. Furthermore, IT solutions have been developed to accelerate the handling processes at the gate, which also allow truck drivers to reduce personal contact.Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director at the PORT OF KIEL: “Even under the current circumstances the Ostuferhafen operates in a reliable and safe way. The port of Kiel has proven its systemic importance regarding the transshipment of cross-border freight transport.”In the first seven months of the year 2.1 million tons of cargo have been tran-shipped via the Ostuferhafen (+ 1 %). Additional volumes have been transported by the ferries of the DFDS shipping company to the Baltic States or they have been delivered by the SCA-RoRo-freighters from Scandinavia. Not only general cargo and forest products are unloaded resp. transhipped in Ostuferhafen but also project and heavy cargo, scrap metal and agricul-tural products. The integrated passenger terminal to handle cruise vessels emphasizes the universal character of this port part.