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.
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OHSHU MARU
The Philippines authorities have seized the Oushu Maru' after loitering for two weeks. On May 1, the Philippines Custom Intelligence and Investigation Service, the Philippines Navy, the Philippines Coast Guard, and the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency boarded the vessel. On the suspicion of drug smuggling, they searched it. However, no illegal goods were discovered on the vessel, and all the paperwork was found in order. Later the Captain of the ship informed the Philippines authorities stating that the vessel was bound for the Port of Kunuura, but the charterer of the vessel ordered to delay the vessel's arrival in port. Following this, on May 3, the Philippines authorities issued a seizure warrant and detention of the vessel. The authorities asserted that a review of the Vessel Tracking System indicated the ship's AIS transmission was turned off when it was in Malaysia. The authorities also alleged the vessel was in a dark operating mood without a signal for more than 24 hours before entering the Philippines. The Philippines Bureau of Customs has ordered the vessel to anchor on the northern side of Mindanao, where it will be continued to be monitored by Navy and Coast Guards. On May 11, it anchored in pos. 08° 36.88' N 124° 44.68' E.
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.
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
MSC VITTORIA
On May 9, 2024, Houthi militants continued targeting the MSC Mediterranean Shipping company vessels, asserting them as ‘Israeli Ships’. The militants claimed to have attacked the 'MSC Gina', 'MSC Diego' and the 'MSC Vittoria'. However, a statement of the Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree did not provide any details nor any of the international security agencies have confirmed the attack. The military tracking operations have also not identified any new attacks on vessels or received information from ships operating in that region. The last report provided by UKMTO about the explosion near a merchant vessel came on May 7, when missiles were launched from Yemen that might have targeted the 'MSC Gina', which had departed from Sri Lanka, amd the 'MSC Diego', which had sailed from Oman, in the Gulf of Oman. Currently both vessels were providing extra assistance in the region to Djibouti. The Houthis had also claimed to have fired twice on the 'MSC Vittoria' in the Indian Ocean and laer in the Arabian Sea. This attack was also not recognized by the military tracking operation nor any information was received from the vessel.
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
GUARDAMAR CALIOPE
On May 10 a distress call by telephone was issued by a boat 50 nautical miles away from Lanzarote. The merchant ships 'World Prize' and 'Kalahari Express' thereuppon diverted, each one sighting a different boat. The RCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas mobilized the 'Guardamar Calíope', which rescues 68 people on board the first and 61 on the second boat. All 129 migrants were disembarked at Arrecife. Report with photos: https://twitter.com/salvamentogob/status/1789201851474198674
MSC DIEGO
On May 9, 2024, Houthi militants continued targeting the MSC Mediterranean Shipping company vessels, asserting them as ‘Israeli Ships’. The militants claimed to have attacked the 'MSC Gina', 'MSC Diego' and the 'MSC Vittoria'. However, a statement of the Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree did not provide any details nor any of the international security agencies have confirmed the attack. The military tracking operations have also not identified any new attacks on vessels or received information from ships operating in that region. The last report provided by UKMTO about the explosion near a merchant vessel came on May 7, when missiles were launched from Yemen that might have targeted the 'MSC Gina', which had departed from Sri Lanka, amd the 'MSC Diego', which had sailed from Oman, in the Gulf of Oman. Currently both vessels were providing extra assistance in the region to Djibouti. The Houthis had also claimed to have fired twice on the 'MSC Vittoria' in the Indian Ocean and laer in the Arabian Sea. This attack was also not recognized by the military tracking operation nor any information was received from the vessel.