Beached at Alang 04.05.24
News
MSC ARIES
On May 3 the Iran has released the 25 crew members of the 'MSC Aries', while the vessel remains under judicial detention. The Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that Iran still maintained control of the vessel. The release of the crew was deemed a humanitarian gesture, allowing them to return to their respective countries along with the ship’s captain. Iran’s foreign ministry previously stated that the 'MSC Aries' was seized for violating maritime laws and alleged ties to Israel. The vessel was leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, partially owned by the Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
Swinoujscie
The first cargo of liquified natural gas under the long-term contract between PGNiG and US LNG provider Cheniere Energy arrived at the President Lech Kaczyński LNG Terminal in Świnoujście. The long-term contract, which was signed in November of 2018, will total approximately 39 bcm of natural gas over the 24 year period of the agreement. The official reception ceremony of the first delivery at the LNG terminal in Świnoujście included representatives of the government of the Republic of Poland, local authorities, as well as executives from PGNiG and Cheniere Energy.
Tanger-Med
The Tanger Med port has emerged as the biggest port in Africa in terms of container capacity, surpassing Africa’s bigger ports like Durban (South Africa) and Mombasa (Kenya). The Tanger Med port now connects Morocco to 77 countries and 186 ports around the world. The Tanger Med II has two new container terminals – TC3 and TC4 – with an additional 6 million container capacity. The TC3, which is operated by Morocco’s main port operator Marsa Maroc, has a capacity of 1 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units). The TC4, which is operated by the Netherlands-based APM Terminals, has a capacity of 5 million TEUs. According to the Tanger Med Port Authority, with its new terminals, Tanger Med port will have a capacity of processing 9 million containers, 7 million passengers, 1 million vehicles and 700,000 trucks. Thanks to its extensions, Tanger Med port has now become the largest port in the Mediterranean region, surpassing some of the region’s top ports like Algeciras (Spain), Valencia (Spain) and Gioia (Italy). The port is located 40 kilometers east of the Moroccan town of Tangier, which is a gateway to both Europe and Africa. “Our aim is to develop an effective port platform integrated with transshipment activities, imports and exports,” Tanger Med Port Authority said on its website. The Tanger Med port has become vital for Morocco’s economy as it handled 317 billion Moroccan dirhams (US$33.14 billion) worth of exports and imports in 2018. It processed an overall tonnage of 52.24 tonnes last year.
RHONE FRENCH WARSHIP
On April 30, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. On the morning, a boat requested assistance off the coast of Audinghen, and the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the 'Minck', which rescued two people. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French rescue services and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais. On the evening, the CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the BSAM 'Rhône' to assist a boat in difficulty off the coast of Sangatte, which picked up a family of five people including three children. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people picked up by the 'Rhône' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais.
Fos-sur-Mer
The French port of Marseille Fos plans to spend over US$22 million to reduce air emissions by extending its shoreside electrical connections to every ferry, cruise ship and repair quay in the eastern harbour. The port has also introduced speed restrictions to reduce industrial air pollution. Already available on the Corsica ferry quays, the shore power network will be expanded in two phases to cover North Africa ferry quays and the ship repair hub by 2022 and the cruise terminal between 2022 and 2025. The zero-emissions investment, which is supported by national and regional government, recognises the need to maintain the port’s economic value while improving the city’s waterside air quality.
Singapore
Phase one of the new Jurong Port Tank Terminals (JPTT) was officially opened on Monday (July 29), with Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat saying it will allow Singapore to strengthen its position as one of the world’s top bunkering ports for low-sulphur fuels. The $200 million, 16ha petrochemical terminal is a joint venture between port operator Jurong Port and German firm Oiltanking with 252,000 cubic m of clean petroleum storage capacity. From January next year, the International Maritime Organisation will prohibit ships from using fuels containing more than 0.5 per cent sulphur.
DALI
The Unified Command on May 1 has recovered the body of another missing victim at the Key Bridge incident site on May 1. The victim was identified as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, 49, of Glen Burnie, Maryland. AFter the Unified Command salvage teams had located one of the missing construction vehicles, it promptly notified the Maryland Department of State Police. Maryland State Police investigators along with officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI responded to the scene and recovered the body of the construction worker inside a red truck. Assistance was also provided by the Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team and Crime Scene Unit. Salvage crews within the Key Bridge Unified Command were preparing for the removal of the piece of bridge lying on top of the 'Dali'. The operation required careful handling of roadbed material, crushed containers, and bridge fragments currently resting on the bow. The salvage teams were meticulously preparing for the refloat of the DALI, ensuring all aspects of the wreckage impacts are thoroughly evaluated and addressed. Teams have strategically removed 182 containers from the vessel to facilitate the removal of the piece of steel structure, referred to as “section four.” Report with photos and video: https://www.keybridgeresponse2024.com/post/update-18-multimedia-release-key-bridge-unified-command-prepares-for-removal-of-bridge-piece-on-top
MINCK
On April 30, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. On the morning, a boat requested assistance off the coast of Audinghen, and the CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the 'Minck', which rescued two people. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French rescue services and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais. On the evening, the CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the BSAM 'Rhône' to assist a boat in difficulty off the coast of Sangatte, which picked up a family of five people including three children. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people picked up by the 'Rhône' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais.
Dubrovnik
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the City of Dubrovnik have partnered to introduce sustainable tourism management practices that will preserve the Croatian city’s cultural heritage. CLIA president and CEO Kelly Craighead and Dubrovnik’s Mayor Mato Franković signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which outlines plans to make Dubrovnik a model of sustainable tourism for the Adriatic region. All plans focus on investment, collaboration and best practices that will benefit both Dubrovnik’s residents and visitors. “Today’s agreement validates the work we have already done with Mayor Franković and formalises the cruise industry’s continued commitment to the City of Dubrovnik and its people,” said Craighead.
Sihanoukville
Congestion at Cambodia’s top port is creating supply chain disruptions. In a note to clients German containerline Hapag-Lloyd noted that terminal productivity at Sihanoukville port has deteriorated due to port and yard congestion. Feeder services and turnaround times are affected and feeder space is tight. In an effort for medium term improvement of this situation, the port is building an extended yard for additional storage space. “Before the new container yard is completed, port congestion may persist,” Hapag-Lloyd warned.