On May 21 efforts were started to remove the 'Dali' at around 05:00 a.m. when the tide was at its peak.Between eight and 12 million tons of steel has been removed from the ship before. Divers will be making last-minute inspections below the waterline and then tugs will attempt to ease the vessel from its position, before taking the 'Dali' to the Seagirt Marine Terminal, which is approximately 2.5 miles upriver.
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DALI
Unified Command officials continued to evaluate the 'Dali' on May 16 in preparation for refloating the vessel and clearing the federal channel. They have evaluated sonar and lidar imagery but are awaiting results from a dive survey before proceeding with the plans to move the 'Dali' to the Seagirt Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore. This diver inspection was a necessary and vital step in the complicated process of reopening the Fort McHenry Federal Channel in a manner that mitigates risk to the vessel once it’s carefully refloated and moved from its current position. To permit safe diver access to the Patapsco riverbed next to the vessel, Unified Command cranes must first remove submerged and unstable wreckage from the controlled demolition. Safety also dictated the securing or removal of severely damaged containers and overhanging wreckage from the initial bridge collapse onto the deck of the 'Dali'. This process was already underway and should be complete in the days ahead. During the complex operation of refloating the 'Dali', the Unified Command will continue removing wreckage in the central part of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel. More than 365 vessels have transited the four Port of Baltimore temporary alternate channels. These transits for commercial and recreational vessels will continue during the ongoing process to refloat the M/V Dali and salvage operation to clear the federal channel. Nearly 50% of the 700-foot-wide Fort McHenry Federal Channel had already been cleared to an operational depth of 48 feet before the controlled demolition. The federal channel is expected to be fully capable of supporting all commercial vessels in and out of the Port of Baltimore to a minimum operational depth of 50 feet in the weeks ahead. The current 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott Key Bridge remains in effect and is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.
X-PRESS LHOTSE
The 'X Press Lhotse' with RMG export products on board, destined for Europe and the USA via Sri Lanka has been stuck at Chattogram port for two days due to non-payment of fines. The ship was scheduled to leave for Colombo port on May 15, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. with 1,450 TEU containers on board. Around 90% of the goods on board were ready-made garments. However, the vessel has been barred from leaving the port as it failed to pay Tk72.25 lakh in fines imposed by the Mercantile Marine Office, Chattogram, for not complying with rules at various times. The vessel had earlier transported goods from Chattogram port without obtaining a waiver certificate in violation of the Bangladesh Flag Vessels, (Protection of Interests) Act. Its shipping agent, Sea Consortium, was also fined several times in this regard. The ship, which was scheduled to reach Sri Lanka's Colombo port on May 19, was detained at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port. It was released on May 19.
BORKUM
The 'Borkum' was anchored at Cabo Tiñoso in the waters of the Region of Murcia as of May 16. She had planned to moor in Cartagena at 7 a.m., but finally gave up making a stopover and announced that it was heading to Koper with an ETA as of May 22. From there the cargo will be taken to Prague. In its containers it transports mortar shells and projectiles for use in battle tanks. This was stated by the Ministry of Transport and confirmed by the Czech Government in a document, in which it also ensures that the cargo will be for its own use. The Sumar insisted that it must be ensured that the ship's cargo does not reach Israel and they have filed a complaint with the Prosecutor's Office to block it. The transport minister reproached them for confusing the ship with the 'Marianne Danica'. Report with photo: https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/internacional/2024/05/16/exteriores-deniega-escala-buque-armas-israel-no-dara-autorizacion-ningun-barco-situacion-1734310.html
ANDREW J BARBERI
The 'Andrew J. Barberi', which retired in 2023, was put up for public surplus auction this week by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Bidding on the ferry opened at $155,000. As of May 16, 2024, no one had made an offer. The vessel has been stripped of its propulsion and navigation systems. Its eventual new owner will need to tow the ship from its berth in St. George. https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=3514658