The plan to promote tourism on the beachfront in Visakhapatnam by converting the 'Maa' into a floating restaurant still remained on hold. Though the State government had declared an allotment of Rs 10 crore for the project, it was yet to take some shape due to procedural wrangle in getting clearance from environmental point of view. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) had also tied up with Shore & Ship Resorts Private Repair Ltd. to make necessary alterations within the vessel at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. Green activists said that the continuation of the ship just close to Tenneti Park, a popular venue for the localities and tourists in the city, was an environmental risk. The State government explored various options to make the ship fit by redesigning to convert it into a restaurant as part of an effort to promote beach tourism. However, delay in getting clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, clearance under the Coastal Regular Zone (CRZ) guidelines and other authorities turned the project jinxed. Report with photo: https://www.bizzbuzz.news/national/bid-to-convert-abandoned-bdesh-ship-into-floating-restaurant-turns-jinxed-1317293
News
DOGGERBANK
On May 6, 2024, the 'Doggerbank' recovered a double decker which had emergency landed off Büsum following a motor damage. At 10.20 a.m. the pilot had reported technical trouble between Heligoland and Büsum before going down on the water. The crew of the cutter saved the pilot and pulled the downed aircraft out of the water with its fishing gear. It was transported to Büsum then. Also the lifeboat "Theodor Storm“ attended, but the rescue operation had already been completed successfully. Reports with photo and video: https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/news/nach-notlandung-fischer-retten-flugzeugbesatzung-aus-der-nordsee-li.2218762 https://segelreporter.com/panorama/big-picture-tiefflieger-auf-der-nordsee-fischer-finden-flugzeug/
Yaizu
Yaizu Port is one of the leading fishing ports in Japan. In August 2022, the VesselTracker AIS receiving station opened at Yaizu Port.
Chittagong
A fire at a container depot in the town of Sitakunda about 40 km from Chittagong led to a chemical explosion in containers that killed at least 49 and injured more than 300 people on June 4, 2022. Among those killed in the blast that could be heard several miles away were several firefighters. Dozens of dead were scattered among the burnt-out containers and many of the wounded were in critical condition after the huge explosion in the depot containing about 4,000 containers. Hundreds of firefighters, police and volunteers quickly arrived at the depot as the fire broke out around 6 p.m. LT. The extinguishing work had started when the violent explosion threw parts from containers and people into the air. At least five firefighters were killed and even more injured. Many were still missing on June 5. The container depot serves as a staging post for the goods - primarily clothing - to be exported via Chittagong, and contained millions of dollars worth of clothing that was to be passed on to businesses in Western countries. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLiyBU7RKIc&feature=emb_title
USAV MATAMOROS
On May 26, 2024, the USAV 'Matamoros' assisted in refloating a landing craft 'LCM 8558' that had grounded on the Ashdod shore on March 25. The landing craft had been working with the US-built floating pier off the coast. It was beached while assisting a US army tug that was helping move the floating pier from an area off the Gaza coast to near Ashdod due to adverse weather conditions with high swells of about 1.5 meters that emerged on May 23 and May 24, while winds gusted to some 20 knots, which necessitated moving the pier. The floating pier has been helping deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. It was constructed after a decision in early March to deploy the unique US Army capability. The Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability was deployed beginning in mid-March with several vessels sailing from Fort Eustis across the Atlantic via Crete to the coast of Gaza. It began operations in mid-May. On the evening of Maya 23, several vessels involved with moving the pier broke free from their moorings. The tug was beached on Ashdod Beach, a hundred meters north of a lifeguard stand near an area called Beersheba Beach. The 'LCM 8558' tried to help the tug, but became stranded on the beach near the tug with the low tide. It had to be dug out with a front-loader. The US had been trying to free the LCM and the tug since May 25. The USAV 'Matamoros' arrived on the afternoon. It connected a rope to the LCM. On May 26 by midday the LCM was ready to be pulled off. The tide remained an issue because the low tide was around 6 p.m. Around 9 p.m. the LCM was pulled off the beach, with the hope that it would remain free of the sand. The goal was then to pull the tug off the beach. Then, the vessels will all be united with the floating pier and likely return to the coast of Gaza so humanitarian aid can be delivered again. The Israel Navy assisted in the efforts to free the ships. Report with photos: https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-803750
MEIN SCHIFF 1
On May 26, 2024, there was a minor incident on an excursion in Helsinki, which could be booked by passengers of the 'Mein Schiff 1'. On the way back from a boat trip that was part of the excursion, the captain of the boat made an announcement that the engines had broken down. All participants were stuck on the ship until another boat arrived, and the technicians were supposed to repair the damage immediately so that the tourists could continue their journey. Despite the exchange of a part, the problem was not solved, and the other ship sailed away again. This was followed by another announcement from the captain that another boat would arrive shortly. to take them back ashore, where a hop on hop off bus was already waiting to transfer the guests of the 'Mein Schiff 1' back to the cruise terminal. The passengers of the cruise ship were able to reach the 'Mein Schiff 1' on time again despite the delaying incident.
Felixstowe
Workers at Felixstowe have decided to go on a strike for the first time since 1989. Shipping firms and union leaders have warned that the actions could heavily impact the supply chains and also leave buyers waiting for their necessary goods and other commodities. Nearly 1,900 members of the Unite at Felixstowe have walked out in a dispute regarding pay in the most recent outbreak of industrial action to hit some sectors of the economy. Workers, including machine operators, crane drivers, and stevedores will take action after voting by more than nine to one in favor of strikes. The union said that the eight-day halt is likely to have a significant impact on the port that typically handles almost 4m containers in one year from about 2,000 ships. Felixstowe handles about half of the containerized freight that enters the country and the actions could indicate that vessels have to be diverted to ports in other places in Europe or the UK. Haulage majors have warned that the strike could have a serious impact on business, while trade organizations have said that the consumers could be affected by price increases. All through Suffolk, the bill could run into millions and all over the country a lot more. It is not going to impact the food supply chains as all fresh produces are in stock, but it will impact the supply chain in terms of fences, furniture, and bits and bobs. Maersk, one of the largest container shippers in the world, has said that the strike may cause delays and force it to make changes to its vessel lineup. In the meantime, consumers may be hit with price hikes and shortages of some products. Consumer prices are already rising owing to the increases in the shipping rates experienced since the middle of 2020. Further disruptions in the UK are going to add to the cost pressures, even though the temporary unavailability of some commodities may be the first noticeable impact on the consumers.
Puerto Brisa
LBH Colombia- SHIP AGENTS We are always glad to provide our dedicated assistance as ship agents when a vessel is calling at any Colombian port or terminal. ON YOUR BEHALF, WE CONTRACT, COORDINATE AND / OR SUPERVISE FOLLOWING SERVICES: - Provision & Ship Chandler - Crew change -Medical assistance -Bilingual assistance, Interpreter / translator for all related maritime services -Ship spares & parcel deliveries -Surveys, inspector, and certificates -Local repairs and technical services Riohacha | Puerto Brisa Calle 14 G # 21A-05 Barrio Cooperativo Phone: +57 315 8984080 E-mail: opz2@lbhcolombia.com https://www.lbhcolombia.com/ __________________________________
VENTURA
The 'Ventura' was met at the port of Southampton after its return on May 25 at 6 a.m. for a deep cleaning after an unconfirmed number of passengers fell ill with sickness and diarrhoea onboard during the 14-night voyage around the Canary Islands which had included stops in Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. 0.64 per cent of passengers were symptomatic on May 22, and those who were still symptomatic on arrival, disembarked later than other passengers. An enhanced sanitation of the ship was carried out on May 17 in Tenerife, however Southampton Port Health Authority assisted the vessel once it was back at port, undertaking a cleaning programme of all spaces onboard. The P&O Cruises vessel was scheduled to set sail for a seven-night cruise around Spain and Portugal later in the day, which was delayed to 11 p.m. Passengers booked on the week-long voyage have been asked to arrive four hours later than planned to make time for sanitation.
KERMORVAN
On the night of May 23, 2024, during an operation ordered by the Maritime Prefect of the Atlantic, in conjunction with the Brest public prosecutor, and guided by customs from the operational center of the national directorate customs Coastguard in Nantes, the 'Kermorvan' seized 406 kg of cocaine on board the Polish sailboat 'Le Dahu' in the Bay of Biscay. The National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations (DNRED) had detected the yacht in the Caribbean and tracked its route into the the Bay of Biscay, in liaison with OFAST, MAOC and DEA. On the evening of May 23, with the agreement of the Polish authorities, and following the relocation of the ship by a Beechcraft Customs aircraft, the crew of the 'Kermorvan' carried out an inspection of the sailboat on the basis of Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The two crew members, after setting fire to the ship in an attempt to sink it and its cargo, were taken in custody by the crew of the 'Kermorvan', and the cargo was seized. The narcotics were packed in 19 bales. The drug was handed over to OFAST under the authority of the Public Prosecutor at the Brest Judicial Court, who relinquished the case in favour of the public prosecutor's office of the Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of Rennes, now in charge of conducting the judicial investigation. Report with photo: https://www.premar-atlantique.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/saisie-de-stupefiants-sur-un-voilier-dans-le-golfe-de-gascogne
Odessa
Russian missiles struck the port of Odessa on July 23, 2022, violating a deal signed a day earlier to curb grain exports from Black Sea ports and ease global food shortages caused by the war. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as blatant "barbarism" and that Moscow could not be trusted to implement the agreement. The Ukrainian military said that the missiles had not caused any significant damage and that preparations were underway to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports. The deal, signed by Moscow and Kyiv on July 22 and brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, has been hailed as a breakthrough after nearly five months of punitive fighting since Russia invaded its neighbor. By allowing grain exports from Black Sea ports, including Odessa, it is seen as crucial in curbing rising global food prices.
Pecem
One of the fastest growing ports in Brazil, having surpassed the mark of 22 million tons handled in 2021, Pecem Port is the newest regular member of the International Association of Ports (IAPH), a global alliance of 170 ports and 140 organizations related to the port sector. Entity of great international prestige, IAPH was founded in 1955 and currently handles more than 60% of the world's maritime trade and around 80% of the world's container traffic, through its members.