Authorities in Hawaii were investigating claims that the 'Celebrity Edge' had sailed too close to shore when passing Hawaii’s protected Na Pali coast, en route from Honolulu to Vancouver. It allegedly came within 1,000 feet of Kauai’s north shore last week. Local laws prohibit ships with more than 50 passengers from sailing within 3,000 feet of the island’s coast. Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) was aware of these incidents and an investigation was continuing. The DLNR has also consulted with the US Coast Guard and Department of was aware on the matter. The 'Celebrity Edge' has since left Hawaii and was heading for Vancouver, where it is due to arrive on May 11, 2024.
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HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN
On May 11 at around 6:45 a.m. Dutch time, the Zr.Ms. 'Karel Doorman' was the first of a group of ships to enter the Suez Canal, on its way to the Red Sea. The logistics support ship previously suffered from technical problems that forced the Suez Canal passage to be postponed. On May 6, the ship was scheduled to exchange the Mediterranean Sea for the Red Sea to join the EU mission Aspides. That did not happen after problems with the Goalkeepers occurred for a relatively long time after departure. The rapid-fire guns responsible for proximity defense against rapidly incoming targets suffered from malfunctions. Due to the nature of the mission and the high threat, no risks were taken and the deployment was postponed for a while. Experts were flown in from the Netherlands to support the technicians on board. After repairs, the ship went back to sea for tests on May 7.
Chittagong
The trial transshipment of goods from India to its northeast, via the sea route, started on Tuesday after four containers bound for the region were unloaded from a merchant vessel at Bangladesh's Chittagong port, officials said on Tuesday. India and Bangladesh had signed an MOU for goods for northeast India transiting via Bangladesh's ports - a small but significant opening up of both Bangladesh's ports under the broader economic relationship between the two countries. Chittagong Port Authority Secretary Md Omar Faruk told on Tuesday: "The first ship under the trial run of transshipment of Indian goods to its northeastern states through Bangladesh arrived at Chattogram (Chittagong) port on Tuesday morning. "MV Shejyoti, carrying back to Chattogam 4 TEUs (20-feet equivalent unit) with 221 containers full of transhipment goods from India's Haldia port, reached the NCT-1 Berth, the outer anchorage of Chattogram port at around 1.25 a.m. But as night navigation is restricted in the port, that is why we started the navigation at morning," he said. MV Shejyoti had left the Syama Prasad Mukherjee port of Kolkata on July 17. Handling of the containers was completed before midnight and the container trailers started for Akhaura with an escort provided by Bangladesh's customs security. Shipping agent sources said the four containers under the trial transshipment contain iron rods and pulses. Those will head to Agartala through the Akhaura Land Port. The consignment of rods will be brought to West Tripura's Jirania from Agartala, while the pulses will go to Assam's Karimganj. Habibur Rahman of Mango Lines, the agent for the merchant vessel, had said that offloading may begin also on Tuesday after completing the formalities. Indian transshipment goods would enjoy a 28-day free-stay after offloading at the port as per the international transshipment agreement. Bangladesh will earn 254 takas from the scanning of each container loaded with transshipment goods. Bangladeshi importers also pay the same charge. Similarly, 30 takas document processing fee for each consignment of Indian goods will be levied, the same amount charged on Bangladeshi importers. Joint Commissioner of the Customs House S.M. Shamsuzzaman said the transshipped goods will have to pay police 50 takas per tonne as escort charge to reach the Indian border in Tripura from the port by road. Usually a 20 feet container carries a maximum of 30 tons of goods. According to this estimation, Bangladesh will realise around 1, 500 takas as escort charge for accompanying goods of a container to the border. Akhaura Customs Officer Harunur Rashid said they have taken necessary preparations for the transportation of the Indian goods, under the trial run. India is transporting goods to its northeastern states, using Bangladeshi ports, as per the agreement on "The Use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement of Goods to and from India" signed between Dhaka and Delhi in 2018 and a standard operating procedure (SoP) signed in October 2019. Earlier, the Indian government used the Ashuganj river port to transport goods for the Palatana Power Plant in Tripura through the Akhaura land port. On the new chapter in connectivity with Bangladesh via container shipping, India's Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the transit route will open new opportunities for both countries. He said that it will provide an alternative and shorter route to connect the northeast region through Bangladesh, reducing distance and time taken in transportation of goods for India and is a win-win for both the economies. On the other hand, job creation, investment in the logistical sector, enhanced business services and revenue generation are advantages that will accrue to Bangladesh. Bangladeshi vessels and trucks will be utilised to move the Indian cargo, the Indian government said. India and Bangladesh have enhanced cooperation in shipping and inland water trade in recent years. Under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, in addition to the six existing Ports of Call, five more in each country have been added recently. Dredging of inland waterway routes is ongoing under an MoU, signed by the two countries on development of selected stretches of Bangladesh waterways. The trial transportation of goods to the northeastern states by road, via Bangladesh, had started earlier.
MSC MERAVIGLIA
The NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement was conducting an investigation after a dead whale was found caught on the bow of the 'MSC Meraviglia' when it approached the port in Brooklyn, New York, on May 4, 2024. The roughly 44-foot-long sei whale was towed to shore at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, for a necropsy, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries spokesperson Andrea Gomez. The examination, done on May 7, found broken bones in its right flipper and evidence of tissue trauma along the right shoulder blade region. The gastrointestinal tract was full of food, as well. The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, the lead on the case, said that the whale was a mature female.
SAGAMORE
The 'Sagamore' left Larnaca to a new makeshift port off the Gaza Strip on May 9, 2024. The aim was to deliver as much aid as possible via the maritime corridor. About two months ago, US President Biden commissioned the American armed forces to build a floating pier, which was recently completed. The platform is located a few kilometers from the coast of the Gaza Strip and is intended to become a hub for humanitarian aid. There is no port in the Palestinian territory deep enough for larger cargo ships.
Beirut
A powerful explosion rocked Beirut port on Aug 4, 2020, killing and injuring dozens of people, and causing widespread damage. There was no clarity yet with regards to the cause of explosions, and what triggered it. The talk was of a firework factory which blew up. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR88CECmTso&feature=emb_title
Chittagong
A total of 12 units of fire fighters brought the fire under control The blazing fire at the Chittagong port was brought under control on Wednesday evening 15 July 2020. Meanwhile, Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has formed a five-member probe body, headed by Zafar Alam, Member (Administration and Planning) of the CPA, to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of damage. The CPA Secretary Omark Faruk confirmed the matter. “Although the fire has been brought under control, smoke is still billowing from the gutted goods,” said the Secretary, The blazing fire originated at Shed No 3 of the maritime port at around 4pm on Wednesday, according to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Control Room in Agrabad, Chittagong city. A total of 12 units of fire fighters brought the fire under control. According to the CPA, goods like foam, fabrics, machineries, papers, and soda meant for destruction were stockpiled at the No.3 shed of the port. AIS/Station/ BDCGP
MSC ARIES
Iran has released seven crew members from the 'MSC Aries'. About 17 people were still on board. The Portuguese government announced this on May 9. According to the Portuguese Foreign Ministry, Iran has released five Indians, one Filipino and one Estonian. The Estonian was the only European of the 25 crew members. One Indian citizen had also previously been released, as Iran had announced on April 18. At the end of April, Tehran had announced that the other crew members would also be released.
CARNIVAL VENEZIA
A US Air Force rescue team airlifted a passenger needing urgent medical care from the 'Carnival Venezia' on May 4, 2024. The operation involved three helicopter air-to-air refuelings to reach the vessel, which was returning to port in New York City after stops in the Bahamas and Caribbean, which was sailing about 350 nautical miles from the US mainland. Called into action from Patrick Space Force Base in Florida were two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen, the release said. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. The eight-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. The eight-hour mission covered more than 1,200 miles round trip over open ocean. Because of the distance that had to be covered, the 920th Rescue Wing had to employ the helicopter air-to-air refuelings. When the aircraft arrived, rescuers were hoisted down from the helicopters and began preparing the patient for transport. The patient and his mother were taken up into the helicopter, and he received medical attention en route to a hospital on the mainland. The cruise line worked with Air Force and US Coast Guard officials to adjust Venezia’s course to meet the helicopter. The ship continued towards New York after the airlift and arrived as scheduled on May 6. Report with photos: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/us-air-force-medical-airlift-carnival-cruise-ship/index.html