To protect fishing stocks, the 'Rossini', actually serving as emergency accommodation for refugees in the Regensburg district, can no longer be moored near Donaustauf and returned to Bach on the Danube in the afternoon of Feb 22, 2024. The ship, which currently accommodates 180 people, was in Bach from Feb to July 2023, before moving to Donaustauf, after the ship was no longer allowed to be at the pier during the spawning season, which begins in March. A corresponding permit was therefore only granted until Feb 2024. The situation is different in Bach, where since 2009, mooring has been possible all year at the community's pier. How long the ship will stay this time is unclear. According to the district office, up to 45 asylum seekers per month are currently assigned to the Regensburg district; until recently there were 100. The department of the authority responsible for accommodating people is assuming that the numbers will increase again in the spring. However, precise forecasts are difficult.
News
GLOBAL CREST
A fine of Rs.15 million has been charged by the Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) due to the illegal careless discharge of oil from the 'Global Crest em route from Kelang to the United Arab Emirates in the Sri Lankan maritime zone on Jan 26, 2024. The Analysts of the CLS Institute of France informed the officials of the Maritime Environment Protection Authority that they had been able to confirm via satellite technology that an illegal oil discharge had been carried out on Feb 4, by the tanker, causing an oil slick with a length of 11.25 kilometers over an area of approximately 1 square kilometer. Maritime Environment Protection Authority officers investigated the ship’s route and later confirmed that it was heading towards the outer port of Colombo. Maritime Environment Protection Authority officers acted immediately and contacted the Sri Lankan agent of the ship and took the necessary steps to inspect the ship. In the night of Feb 6, a team of special officers of the Maritime Environment Protection Authority inspected it, while it was anchored about 11 nautical miles from Colombo. It was possible to confirm that the 'Global Crest' had illegally discharged oil. Later, MEPA issued a Detention Order against the ship and steps were taken to inform the Merchant Marine Secretariat, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, the Sri Lanka Port Authority and the Sri Lankan agent of the ship. According to Section 26 of the Prevention of Marine Pollution Act No. 35 of 2008, the Marine Environmental Protection Authority has the power to impose a fine of up to Rs.15 million on the responsible parties in case of such illegal oil discharge or oil spill. The 'Global Crest' was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.15 million and the amount spent to inspect the ship to the Authority. On Feb 9, after the ship had paid the fine and expenses incurred by MEPA, steps were taken to release it from the detention order. For the first time, Sri Lanka relied on satellite technology from the French company CLS to incriminate a United Arab Emirates-flagged oil tanker responsible for pollution off the Sri Lankan coast. The country signed a partnership with CLS in September to monitor its territorial waters. Report with photo: https://www.dailynews.lk/2024/02/17/admin-catagories/breaking-news/403186/mt-global-crest-fined-rs-15-mn-for-careless-oil-discharge/
CMA CGM JULES VERNE
The French shipping company CMA CGM said on Feb 20, 2024, that the 'CMA CGM Jules Verne', en route from Jeddah to Port Keelung, has transited the Red Sea, escorted by the French frigate 'Alsace', after the company suspended transits through the region earlier in February due to the maritime security situation. The French Navy on Feb 20 shot down two drones launched from Yemen towards the Red Sea. The French Navy has two frigates deployed in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The European Union on Feb 19 announced the launch of a naval operation, known as EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea against Houthi threats. The Operation ASPIDES will closely coordinate with EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the EU’s ongoing counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa and western Indian Ocean, in order to contribute to maritime security, from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Hormuz.
AL KUWAIT
The 'Al Kuwait', which was blamed for causing a foul smell engulfing Cape Town, has departed on Feb 21 at 4 a.m. UTC, en route to Umm Qasr with an ETA as of March 5. The NSPCA assessed the cattle on board the livestock vessel and described conditions as "abhorrent", including an "extreme build-up of faeces and urine". In a statement on Feb 20 , the animal welfare organisation - the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - said the cows had been on the ship for more than two weeks with many animals having no option but to rest in dams of their own excrement. The NSPCA discovered diseased and injured cattle during inspections between Feb 18 and Feb 20. Eight had to be euthanised due to their injuries, while others were found dead on board. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68355434
HDMS IVER HUITFELDT
On FEb 22, 2024, the 'Iver Huitfeldt', which is part of the US-led operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea, with the aim of protecting civilian shipping in the area against attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen, has completed its integration with the other warships in the force. The frigate started patroling the areas where the Houthi movement has previously attacked commercial traffic. The crew was ready to respond to threats against the ship and other ship traffic in the waters. Alongside the daily patrol, a large part of the crew's everyday life is about maintaining the ship and inspecting weapon systems and main machinery. The frigate is part of the American-led operation under the international maritime coalition Combined Maritime Forces, which is made up of 39 countries. The 'Iver Huitfeldt' may at a later date transfer to the new EU naval force that is being built in and around the Red Sea.