Iran's Foreign Ministry has justified the seizure of the 'MSC Aries' with alleged violations of shipping regulations. A Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on April 15 that the ship was detained because of its disregard for international rules and a lack of a “proper reaction” to the Iranian authorities. The cargo on board worth more than $90 million. 17 of the 25 crew members are Indian. The other crew members come from Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia and Estonia. The four Filipinos among the 'MSC Aries' were expected to be released soon. The DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega was set to meet the Iranian ambassador on April 16 about the release of them. The four Filipinos were allowed by the Iranians to contact their families, and each of them spoke with their relatives for an hour. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also had similar updates from the families of the captives. The four were not hostages since it is the Iranian government that was holding them in custody. They have taken to their normal duties onboard the ship. The licensed manning agency of the four has assured adequate payment of salaries and compensation.
News
CHOKYUMARU NO.68
The 'Chokyo Maru No. 68' ran aground on rocks in the Hauraki Gulf in the early morning of April 15, 2024, with 27 crew members on board en route to Auckland for supplies. No injuries have been reported. The vessel was heading into Auckland when it got into trouble at The Noises about 3.42 a.m. There was damage to the bow of the vessel. The Police were notified at around 5.35 a.m. Two tugs of the Thomson Towboats were called to refloat the ship at around 1.30 p.m. with the high tide. But the re-floating occurred earlier than expected at 1 p.m. The ship berthed at the Bledisloe Container Terminal in Auckland on April 16 at 6 a.m. UTC for further assessments. Report with photos: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/fishing-boat-run-aground-in-the-noises-hauraki-gulf/AZUXFTNDUVG7LPU4CD7H73YAYI/
POLA PELAGIA
From March 30, 2024, until April 4, the 'Pola Pelagia' unloaded cargo in the port Bari, which was originating from the Russian port of Kavkaz. Another vessel of the same company, the 'Pola Maria', has called at Brake from April 5-6 with a cargo of 7.80 kt of grain and oilseeds from Kaliningrad. Although agricultural products are not part of the EU sanctions package, based on EU council press releases, bith ships are currently sanctioned as well as their owners, the Pola Rise LLC, by OFAC. They have been classified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, which is no longer affiliated with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Additionally, there was no information available about the P&I (Protection and Indemnity) Club for both vessels, raising further concerns about the insurance coverage. Without legitimate, continuous insurance coverage, ship owners may be unable to pay the costs of accidents in which they are involved, including oil spills.
BAXTER
Four Russian tankers carrying oil and refined products, the 'Anthea' (IMO: 9281683),'Elsa' (IMO: 9256468), 'Hebe' (IMO: 9259185) and 'Baxter' have become immobilized at sea following the imposition of new Iran-related sanctions by the United States, imposed on April 4, 2024, and targeting the shipping company, Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, and its vessels, citing their alleged involvement in transporting commodities on behalf of the Iranian military. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund proxy groups allegedly supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The 'Anthea' received 200,000 metric tons of Russian Ural crude oil via STS from two vessels near the Laconian Gulfin late March and is underway to Singapore with an ETA as of April 30. The 'Elsa' received 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil through STS near the Port of Kalamata. The fuel oil was originally supplied to Kalamata from ports in St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, Russia. The 'Elsa' was underway to Qingdao with an ETA as of May 12. The 'Hebe' was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil at St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga. It was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destination unclear. The 'Baxter' was carrying naphtha from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and destined for India. The vessel has been drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 5.
IRONMONGER6
Chittagong 06/2011 https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3699137?navList=homeMostPopular
KONGSFJORD
The 'Kongsfjord' headed from Hopendjupet to Hammerfest after the discovery of a body on the evening of April 12, 2024, in the trawl in connection with shrimp trawling on the Hopendypet off the island of Hopen, far north in the Barents Sea. The police and the Central Rescue Service in Northern Norway were notified, and the vessel with a crew of 20 on board immediately set course for Hammerfest, where it arrived on April 14 at 2 a.m. The Troms police district took care of the dead person then and investigated the matter. The ship set sail again at 4.15 a.m.
ABEILLE NORMANDIE
On April 13, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. In the morning, a boat was reported in difficulty off Bray Dunes. The CROSSmobilized the 'MinckÄ' to assist, which took on bioard 33 people . Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais (62). Later in the morning, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Armoise' to a boat in difficulty off the coast of Wissant. The crew of the Armoise launched their zodiac and recovered three people. 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 'Armoise' were then dropped off at the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer In total, 36 people were rescued by French means during the day. Also on April 14, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. In the morning, a boat was reported in difficulty off Grand Fort Philippe. The CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Minck', which rescued 32 people from the boat. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' werre then dropped off at the dock in Calais. Later in the morning, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Abeille Normandie' to a boat in difficulty off the coast of Grand Fort Philippe. The crew picked up 35 people. 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 'Abeille Normandie' were then dropped off at the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer All castaways were taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police. In total, 67 people were rescued by French means during the day.
FLYING CAT 6
On the morning of April 16, 2024, the Port Authority of Argosaronicos was informed by the Master of the 'Flying Cat 6' that during its scheduled route from Porto Heli via Spetses, Ermioni, Hydra and Poros to the port of Piraeus, the ship experienced a malfunction in the starboard side main engine. The ferry sailed safely to Piraeus, where it disembarked the 176 passengers and its 12 crew members. The Port Authority banned the ship from sailing until the repair of the damage and the presentation of a certificate of class maintenance by the monitoring classification society. The next scheduled route was carried out by the catamaran ferry 'Aereo 1' to the ports of Poros, Hydra, Spetses and Porto Helio.
ELSA
Four Russian tankers carrying oil and refined products, the 'Anthea' (IMO: 9281683),'Elsa', 'Hebe' (IMO: 9259185) and 'Baxter' (IMO: 9282522) have become immobilized at sea following the imposition of new Iran-related sanctions by the United States, imposed on April 4, 2024, and targeting the shipping company, Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, and its vessels, citing their alleged involvement in transporting commodities on behalf of the Iranian military. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund proxy groups allegedly supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The 'Anthea' received 200,000 metric tons of Russian Ural crude oil via STS from two vessels near the Laconian Gulfin late March and is underway to Singapore with an ETA as of April 30. The 'Elsa' received 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil through STS near the Port of Kalamata. The fuel oil was originally supplied to Kalamata from ports in St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, Russia. The 'Elsa' was underway to Qingdao with an ETA as of May 12. The 'Hebe' was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil at St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga. It was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destination unclear. The 'Baxter' was carrying naphtha from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and destined for India. The vessel has been drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 5.
ANTHEA
Four Russian tankers carrying oil and refined products, the 'Anthea','Elsa' (IMO: 9256468), 'Hebe' (IMO: 9259185) and 'Baxter' have become immobilized at sea following the imposition of new Iran-related sanctions by the United States, imposed on April 4, 2024, and targeting the shipping company, Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, and its vessels, citing their alleged involvement in transporting commodities on behalf of the Iranian military. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund proxy groups allegedly supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The 'Anthea' received 200,000 metric tons of Russian Ural crude oil via STS from two vessels near the Laconian Gulfin late March and is underway to Singapore with an ETA as of April 30. The 'Elsa' received 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil through STS near the Port of Kalamata. The fuel oil was originally supplied to Kalamata from ports in St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, Russia. The 'Elsa' was underway to Qingdao with an ETA as of May 12. The 'Hebe' was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil at St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga. It was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destination unclear. The 'Baxter' (IMO: 9282522) was carrying naphtha from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and destined for India. The vessel has been drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 5.
DALI
For the first time, contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have brought in the East Coast's biggest crane barge 'Chesapeake 1000C' to remove a section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The large section of the main span was located in the federal navigation channel, and removing it will help advance the work to clear a limited access channel" for smaller merchant ships. The barge is operated by Donjon Marine and was originally built for in-yard operations at Sun Shipbuilding in the 1970s. It was upgraded from 800 short tons to 1000 short tons in capacity in the middle of its career, and it can lift more than any other floating crane on the East Coast. So far, it has been on standby while smaller cranes handled pieces up to several hundred tonnes in size, but Sunday's big lift speeded up the process by removing a large chunk at once. Report with photos: https://maritime-executive.com/article/east-coast-s-biggest-crane-barge-hoists-giant-piece-of-baltimore-bridge
F931 LOUISE MARIE
The 'Louise-Marie' will not sail to the Red Sea for the time being. The reason for the postponement was an incident during training in which a rocket got stuck in a launch tube. The 'Louise-Marie' had left Zeebrugge on March 10, 2024, to take part in the European operation against the Houthi rebels. On April 12, the ship was due sail from Crete, via the Suez Canal to the Red Sea, to become part of the Operation Aspides and also contribute to Operation Agenor, which aims to increase security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Last week a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missile became stuck in the launch tube during a drone downing exercise,. The other defenses present on the ship would also have failed to shoot down the practice drone. The 'Louise-Marie' and her 170-person crew will continue their preparatory training indefinitely with the Red Sea mission therefore being postponed indefinitely. The ship's commander, Captain Helena Vande Gaer, and the general staff have decided to extend the frigate's training period. The technical shortcomings are being analyzed and the necessary adjustments will be made with a view to continuing the assignment.
MINCK
On April 13, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. In the morning, a boat was reported in difficulty off Bray Dunes. The CROSSmobilized the 'MinckÄ' to assist, which took on bioard 33 people . Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais (62). Later in the morning, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Armoise' to a boat in difficulty off the coast of Wissant. The crew of the Armoise launched their zodiac and recovered three people. 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 'Armoise' were then dropped off at the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer In total, 36 people were rescued by French means during the day. Also on April 14, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. In the morning, a boat was reported in difficulty off Grand Fort Philippe. The CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Minck', which rescued 32 people from the boat. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' werre then dropped off at the dock in Calais. Later in the morning, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Abeille Normandie' to a boat in difficulty off the coast of Grand Fort Philippe. The crew picked up 35 people. 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 'Abeille Normandie' were then dropped off at the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer All castaways were taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police. In total, 67 people were rescued by French means during the day.
DALI
The US Federal Police, (FBI) has launched an investigation focused on the 'Dali' and boarded the ship on April 15, conducting a court-authorized law enforcement activity. The investigation will at least partially investigate whether the crew on board the ship knew that the ship had apparent problems with the electrical systems when it left the port. The authorities are investigating the events leading up to the vessel losing power as it left the port. The investigation is being followed by the Maryland attorney general's office. Divers have found a fourth body of workers missing since the collapse of a road bridge in the US city of Baltimore. The body was recovered from a construction vehicle in the underwater wreckage in the evening of April 15. Two people were still missing. Authorities believed they too have died. Report with photos: https://www.foxnews.com/us/fbi-opens-criminal-probe-baltimore-bridge-collapse-ap-source
POLA MARIA
From March 30, 2024, until April 4, the 'Pola Pelagia' unloaded cargo in the port Bari, which was originating from the Russian port of Kavkaz. Another vessel from the same company, the 'Pola Maria', has called at Brake from April 5-6 with a cargo of 7.80 kt of grain and oilseeds from Kaliningrad Although agricultural products are not part of the EU sanctions package, based on EU council press releases, bith ships are currently sanctioned as well as their owners, the Pola Rise LLC, by OFAC. They have been classified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, which is no longer affiliated with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Additionally, there was no information available about the P&I (Protection and Indemnity) Club for both vessels, raising further concerns about the insurance coverage. Without legitimate, continuous insurance coverage, ship owners may be unable to pay the costs of accidents in which they are involved, including oil spills.
HEBE
Four Russian tankers carrying oil and refined products, the 'Anthea' (IMO: 9281683),'Elsa' (IMO: 9256468), 'Hebe' and 'Baxter' (IMO: 9282522) have become immobilized at sea following the imposition of new Iran-related sanctions by the United States, imposed on April 4, 2024, and targeting the shipping company, Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, and its vessels, citing their alleged involvement in transporting commodities on behalf of the Iranian military. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund proxy groups allegedly supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The 'Anthea' received 200,000 metric tons of Russian Ural crude oil via STS from two vessels near the Laconian Gulfin late March and is underway to Singapore with an ETA as of April 30. The 'Elsa' received 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil through STS near the Port of Kalamata. The fuel oil was originally supplied to Kalamata from ports in St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, Russia. The 'Elsa' was underway to Qingdao with an ETA as of May 12. The 'Hebe' was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil at St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga. It was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destination unclear. The 'Baxter' was carrying naphtha from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and destined for India. The vessel has been drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 5.
PHUC HAI STAR
Chittagong 06/2011 https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3699137?navList=homeMostPopular
CARNIVAL MIRACLE
One female passenger has died and 10 others were injured after a shuttle bus of the 'Carnival Miracle' crashed into the transportation area outside a Honolulu cruise terminal on April 12, 2024. A 57-year-old man was dropping off customers at pier 2 when a bystander told him that his vehicle was moving forward. He then jumped into the drivers seat, trying to stop the vehicle, but he accidentally pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes, colliding with two concrete barriers and 11 pedestrians. The ship was on a 15-day cruise which had departed Long Beach, California, on April 6. Nine of the people hit by the vehicle were cruise ship passengers. The deceased woman was traveling with her husband, who was also injured but was expected to recover. Members of the Carnival Care Team were assisting the guests. Five pedestrians were transported to the hospital. Six other pedestrians refused treatment on the scene. Speed did not appear to be a contributing factor in the collision and it was unknown if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors. Report with photos: https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-dead-after-bus-crashes-pedestrians-honolulu-cruise/story?id=109203590
ARMOISE
On April 13, 2024, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. In the morning, a boat was reported in difficulty off Bray Dunes. The CROSSmobilized the 'MinckÄ' to assist, which took on bioard 33 people . Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' were then dropped off at the dock in Calais (62). Later in the morning, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Armoise' to a boat in difficulty off the coast of Wissant. The crew of the Armoise launched their zodiac and recovered three people. 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 'Armoise' were then dropped off at the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer In total, 36 people were rescued by French means during the day. Also on April 14, the CROSS Gris-Nez was informed that several migrant boats were in difficulty in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais. In the morning, a boat was reported in difficulty off Grand Fort Philippe. The CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Minck', which rescued 32 people from the boat. Several people still on board the boat refused the assistance offered by French means and continued on their way. The people rescued by the 'Minck' werre then dropped off at the dock in Calais. Later in the morning, the CROSS Gris-Nez mobilized the 'Abeille Normandie' to a boat in difficulty off the coast of Grand Fort Philippe. The crew picked up 35 people. 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 'Abeille Normandie' were then dropped off at the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer All castaways were taken care of by the land rescue services and the border police. In total, 67 people were rescued by French means during the day.