Seafarers belonging to the Maritime Union were gathered outside Wellington's Centreport in the afternoon of Mar 4, 2012, to support wharfside workers who are expected to again refuse to handle the "Maersk Aberdeen" because of the Ports of Auckland strike. Unionised cargo workers refused to handle the "Maersk Aberdeen" when it came into port on MAr 2 because it had been worked by non-unionised labour in Auckland. About 60 people picketed the port on Mar 3 night during stormy conditions and another smaller picket was forming outside the port's gates Mar 4. All other vessels were being handled- The "Maersk" Aberdeen had also broken its agreement with the International Transport Workers Federation to only use ITF-approved union workers.

The "Lyubov Orlova" will not be carrying passengers again. The ship is destined for the Dominican Republic where it will be broken up. Its new owner Hussein Humayuni hopes the ship will ready to leave in mid-March. He paid $275,000 for the ship.

Strong winds and high surf made a salvage of the "Tre'Cher" after its grounding off Batz on Feb 29 impossible. The ship is stuck on the reefs that surround it. The wreck slid from its initial grounding position. The boat is sinking, surrounded by rocky peaks and will likely break up quickly if the wind continues. The six tons diesel are expected to dissipate fast.

The "Ibn Khaldoun" was seized in the port of Antwerp on Feb28, 2012, and held until MAr 3. The seizure was lifted after 115000 Euros were sent by CNAN North. The measure was justified by non-payment of debts for chartering the "Tichy" which is belonging to a Polish shipowner. The "Tichy" was chartered in 2008 by North CNAN for a period of three years. The "Ibn Khaldoun" was subject of another seizure after non-payment of claims for the chartering of the "Millennium Express" on Oct 12, 2011, in the same port. On Mar 5 the "Ibn Khaldoun" reached Hamburg.

Beached at Aliaga at 05.03.12 10.20 Uhr

A Russian fell 15 metres deep while working aboard the "Chem Prion" in Rotterdam on Mar 3, 2012. He fell into a cargo tank but survived and suffered only a wound at his leg. A special team of the fire rescue saved the man who was taken to hospital.

About ten days late, the "Costa Neoromantica" was newly baptized on Mar 2, 2012, and sailed from Savona on its first cruise with a new name. As godmothers the shipping company chose a long time passenger and the youngest crew member of the "Costa Concordia", Gabriella Gentile, - as a tribute to the fidelity of the passengers and also the performance of the crew in the sinking of the "Costa Concordia". The Costa Neoromantica was completely rebuilt in Genoa at the San Giorgio shipyard. The ship sails is aimed primarily for elder couples traveling without children who want to enjoy a quiet environment.

Two port workers died aboard the "MCL Bremen" on Feb 28, 2012. They were buried under 40 tons of tubes at the Antwerp MSC Terminal. The ship was released after the end of investigations and sailed bound for Oran on Mar 3. Belgian report with photo: www.standaard.be/...

The "Nemuna" ran aground enroute Szczecin-Tornio on Mar 2 at 6.10 p.m. in the Fårö Sound. The Swedish Coast Guard immediately dispatched the boats "KBV 001" and "KBV 045" from Slite and also sent the "KBV 046" and "KBV 285" as well as the "KBV 002" from Visby. The cargo vessel had on board 81 tons diesel fuel and 7,5 tons lubricating oil. It suffered a small leak in a ballast tank in the bow. Divers surveyed the hull on Mar 3 and found the ship resting on the bottom with its port side. A surveillance flight took place twice a day, but no spill was monitored. The Coast Guard laid out oil booms. Wind on scene was North with 12 m/sec. On Mar 4 at 11.15 a.m. the ship could be pulled off, and at 12.20 the Coast Guard ended its rescue operation. Swedish reports with photos: www.kustbevakning... www.kustbevakning... www.kustbevakning...

Maltese Grand Harbour witnessed an unusual incident yesterday when a tug boat towing the USS Mount Whitney into port backed into the St Elmo breakwater, throwing up a big wave and sustaining slight damage. The crash of the tug Pawlina took place at 12.34 p.m. The United States Navy command ship came in for routine repairs at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard. Report with photo at www.timesofmalta....