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.
News
YSER
On the morning of May 1, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed by the Dieppe semaphore that a migrant boat was off the coast of Dieppe ad deployed the lifeboaat 'SNS 080 - Notre Dame de Bonsecours' from the SNSM station in Dieppe, on exercise in the area, to check the situation of the boat. The SNSM launch was then relieved by the 'Yser' of the Maritime Gendarmerie, which reached the boat in difficulty on the afternoon. The 'Yser' recovered 66 castaways including women and children. They were then dropped off at the port of Dieppe where they were taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police.
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.
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.
RIDENS
In the morning of May 4, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that a migrant boat was in difficulty off the coast of Calais and depoloyed the 'Ridens' to assist. It launched a boat to reach the position and recovered the 22 castaways on board. A Dauphin helicopter was also engaged to ensure that no other person was in difficulty. The castaways were dropped off at the port of Calais where they were taken care of by the shore based rescue services and the border police. Report with photo: https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/operation-d-assistance-et-de-sauvetage-de-22-personnes-au-large-de-calais-62
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
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.
ADAMANTIOS KORAIS
In the morning hours of May 2, 2024, the Port Authority of Alexandroupoli was informed that during the mooring process of the 'Adamantios Koreis', en route from the port of Samothraki, the passenger ramp pulled the mooring cable which caused the ramp to deform and the lower plate to detach o a length of about 30 centimeters. The passengers disembarked safely, with no injuries reported. The Central Port Authority of Alexandroupoli banned the ferry from sailing until the damage was repaired. Upon presentation of a certificate of class maintenance by the monitoring classification society, it was allowed to sail to the port of Samothraki.