On the evening of April 30, officers of the Port Authority of Igoumenitsa arrested a 37-year-old Greek national, in violation of articles 169 (Disobedience) and 292 (Obstruction of Transport) of the Criminal Code. The co-driver and owner of a refrigerated truck repeatedly failed to comply with the instructions of the port authorities to leave the 'Alkinoos' together with his vehicle, as he lacked tickets. This resulted in the ship's departure being prevented. Ultimately, the truck was removed from the ship, with the assistance of another professional driver, who drove it to a safe location. The fery finally sailed with 295 passengers 1.40 hours delayed. The truck was initially loaded onto the ship by a 63-year-old local driver, who during the incident felt unwell and was transported to the Emergency Department of Igoumenitsa and then to the General Hospital of Filiates, for further examinations and hospitalization, from where he was released and arrested at noon. A preliminary investigation was being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Igoumenitsa.
News
ZAZA
The former 'Moby Zaza' has been sold but will not be scrapped. It is in fact destined to be used as a floating hotel in a large port in the Far East. At the end of March, a public notice from the Port Authority of Livorno announced that the ship would leave the fleet controlled by the Onorato family. Now in fact the ship no longer flies the Italian flag but has been registered in San Marino, taking the name 'Zaza' and becoming the property of the company Dragon 1 Pte Ltd. The technical management has been entrusted to the Genoese company Venture Ship Management Europe Srl, the former Crystal Pool sold at the beginning of 2024 and now controlled by the Wah Kwong group of Hong Kong). The 'Moby Zaza' had joined the Moby fleet ten years ago and in recent months had served between Corsica (Porto Vecchio) and Sardinia (Golfo Aranci) as a replacement for the Giraglia, which had suffered a breakdown. On Dec 18, 2024, it was the victim of a blackout on board that had induced the crew to ask for the intervention of tugs to bring it back to the port of Olbia. In addition to this ship, the 'Moby Drea' should also soon be leaving Onorato's fleet.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth International Port is set to welcome 150,000 cruise passengers each year following the completion of its multimillion-pound berth extension project, which has just been started in collaboration with construction firm Knights Brown. The renovation will include levelling out the cruise berth and building an additional dolphin. As a result, ships up to 255 metres in length will be able to safely and conveniently berth at the port.
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.
CONSCIENCE
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international NGO accused Malta on May 4 of impeding access to the 'Conscience' which was bombed by two drones two days before. Malta denied the claim, saying the crew had refused assistance. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said that Israel, which has blockaded Gaza in its war against Palestinian Hamas militants, was to blame for the incident. The 'Conscience', operated by the coalition, suffered damage to its front section including a loss of power when hit just outside Maltese territorial waters in the southern Mediterranean- It had been waiting to take on board 30 peace activists from around the world before trying to sail to Gaza to deliver food and medicines. Volunteers from 13 countries who tried to reach the ship from Malta on April 30 and May 1, were intercepted by the Maltese military, which had forced them back to Malta under threat of arrest. Maltese authorities had also prevented the ship from putting into port to repair the damage and get help for four people aboard whohad suffered cuts and burns in the drone attack. Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta was continuing to offer assistance to the ship, but that Malta’s security needed to be safeguarded. He said the ship’s captain was continuing to refuse to allow a surveyor and Malta police on board. Once it was verified that the ship’s cargo was solely humanitarian, Malta would facilitate repairs so that it could continue its voyage to Gaza. Report with photo: https://gcaptain.com/ngo-says-malta-blocking-access-to-gaza-bound-aid-ship-hit-by-drones/
LISBON
On May 5, 2025, the 'Lisbon' was detained in Livorno with 13 deficiencies, three of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Life saving Appliances - Lifejackets incl provision and disposition Not as required 2) Emergency systems - Emergency fire pumps and its pipes Not properly maintained 3) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on May 7 and left the port en route to Sulina with an ETA as of May 13. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
Turku
Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku has cut the first piece of steel for Costa Cruises’ second LNG-powered ship, which will be named Costa Toscana and be delivered in October 2021. Using its new plasma cutter line, Meyer Turku marked the start of the ship production project during a traditional ceremony at its yard in Turku. Once complete, Costa Toscana will have dual-fuel hybrid engines and onboard LNG tanks to enable her to operate using LNG in port and at sea.
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.
BIJOU DU RHONE
On May 10, 2025, at approximately 1:30 a.m. LT, the 'Bijou Du Rhône' , with 127 German passengers and 39 crew members on board, collided with a barge on the Rhône river near the commune of Sablons, about 50 kilometers south of Lyon. No injuries were reported among the people onboard. The impact caused a significant hole in the ship’s hull above the waterline, but did not pose an immediate risk of sinking. The barge also suffered damage. Emergency services responded quickly and were still on site at 8:00 a.m. to disembark the passengers and transport them to their destination by bus. An evacuation of the 39 crew members took place on Ma 11. The 'Bijou Du Rhône' was banned from sailing for inspection and safety assessments. Report with photo: https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2025/05/10/un-bateau-de-127-passagers-et-une-barge-entrent-en-collision-au-sud-de-lyon
OCMIS ADVENTURE
On April 16, 2025, the ' Ocmis Adventure' was detained in Algeciras with 15 deficiencies, 11 of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Structural conditions - Ballast, fuel and other tanks Holed 2) Safety of navigation - Charts Not updated 3) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Missing 4) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound-signals Inoperative 5) Radio communications - Operation of GMDSS equipment Lack of familiarity 6) Radio communications - Reserve source of energy Inoperative 7) Labour conditions - Insulation Inoperative 8)) Labour conditions - Galley, handlingroom (maintenance) Not hygienic 9) Fire safety - Ready availability of fire fighting equipment Inoperative 10) Other - Other (Solas operational) Other 11) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on April 30 and left the port en route to Ceuta, where it arrived on May 2. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
Manila
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) recently took delivery of another new quay crane (QC) and eight new hybrid rubber-tired gantries (RTGs) for its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), establishing the terminal as having the largest fleet of modern container-handling equipment in the Philippines with 18 QCs and 58 RTGs. Manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. (ZPMC), the QC is part of the five from ICTSI’s 2018 USD80-million capacity improvement program package. With a reach of up to 16 rows across twin, the new QC can service the largest feeder vessels calling the Philippines. It will be deployed at Berth 3.
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.