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The 'Martcilino', 2910 ts (EU-No.: 02327585), ran aground on the Western Scheldt near Bath in the evening of June 3, 2020. The ship had departed from the port of Antwerp, but when it had just passed Bath, it got stuck. The grounding was reported to the emergency services at 6.10 p.m. The patrol vessel from Rijkswaterstaat 'RWS 79' was deployed to the site. The tugs 'Multratug 5' and 'Fairplay I' were called and pulled the barge off at 7 p.m. Because it could no longer sail with own power, it was taken back to the Delwaide Dock North in Antwerp by the tugs in the night. Dutch report with photo: https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/120327/Binnenvaartschip-gestrand-op-de-Westerschelde-bij-Bath

On June 4, 2020, at 5 a.m. the 'Tranquiility Bf 7' sent a mayday message after it started taking in water through its fish hold 37 nautical miles north of Unstoff Shetland. The Coastguard deployed two lifeboat crews from Aith and Lerwick and a helicopter. Two fishing vessels responded too. The helicopter got a water pump onto the vessel and it was now being escorted to Lerwick under its own power. The Aith lifeboat was escorting the vessel towards the port, and the Lerwick lifeboat was to take over the escort when the vessel got closer to shore. Report with photo: https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2020/06/04/fishing-vessel-takes-in-water-north-of-unst/

Covid-19: Updates on crew change in Brazil The Federal Government decided to maintain, for another 30 days, the restrictions for the entry of non-resident foreigners of all nationalities. The measure came into force last Friday (22) and effectively extends the restrictions created in March, with the usual exceptions related to cargo transport and airline personal. Also, the restriction continues to not apply to foreign professionals on mission serving an international organization; foreign employees accredited to the Brazilian Government; and spouse, partner, son, father or curator of a Brazilian whose entry is authorized by the Brazilian Government or holder of a National Migration Registry. The disembarkation of crewmembers remains forbidden, unless it is for medical assistance or for connection to return to the country of origin, provided it authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and accompanied by National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the Federal Police. For the first time, it has been expressly authorized the entry and permanence of foreign seafares bearing an international seafarer's license issued under the terms of the ILO Convention, a reference to the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958. It has also been expressly mentioned that a passport indicating that the holder is a seafare will have the same legal value of an international seafarer's license, provided that the passport has been issued by a member of the aforementioned convention. Either way, the entry of the seafare must be requested by the shipping agency to the Federal Police, for the execution of specific functions on vessels and platforms. This improvement follows complains by the IMO on the situation of seafares who could not leave their vessels even when their contracts had expired, because the shipping company could not change the crewmembers, as the seafarers could not enter brazilian territory. In the past months, the IMO has been arguing to the members of the UN they should consider the shipping a essential activity, to be exempted from the rules generally placed in order to restrict international travels. Source: G1

THE SUPER CYCLONE ‘AMPHAN’ (PRONUNCIATION: UM-PUN) (ECP: 926 HPA) OVER WEST CENTRAL BAY AND ADJOINING AREA MOVED NORTH- NORTHEASTWARDS AND NOW LIES OVER THE SAME AREA (LAT. 16.0°N, LONG. 86.7°E) AND WAS CENTRED AT 06 AM TODAY (19 MAY, 2020) ABOUT 890 KM SOUTHWEST OF CHATTOGRAM PORT, 840 KM SOUTHWEST OF COX’S BAZAR PORT, 785 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MONGLA PORT AND 775 KM SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF PAYRA PORT. IT IS LIKELY TO MOVE IN A NORTH-NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION AND MAY CROSS BANGLADESH COAST BETWEEN KHULNA-CHATTOGRAM DURING LATE NIGHT 19 MAY 2020 TO AFTERNOON / EVENING 20 MAY 2020. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WIND SPEED WITHIN 90 KMS OF THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS ABOUT 225 KPH RISING TO 245 KPH IN GUSTS/ SQUALLS. SEA WILL REMAIN VERY HIGH NEAR THE CYCLONE CENTRE. MARITIME PORTS OF MONGLA AND PAYRA HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO KEEP HOISTED DANGER SIGNAL NUBMER SEVEN (R) SEVEN. COASTAL DISTRICTS OF SATKHIRA, KHULNA, BAGHERHAT, JHALOKATHI, PIROZPUR, BORGUNA, PATUAKHALI, BHOLA, BARISHAL, LAXMIPUR, CHANDPUR AND THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS WILL COME UNDER DANGER SIGNAL NUMBER SEVEN (R) SEVEN. MARITIME PORTS OF CHATTOGRAM AND COX’S BAZAR HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO KEEP HOISTED DANGER SIGNAL NUBMER SIX (R) SIX. COASTAL DISTRICTS OF NOAKHALI, FENI, CHATTOGRAM AND COX’S BAZAR THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS WILL COME UNDER DANGER SIGNAL NUMBER SIX (R) SIX. UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM “AMPHAN” AND THE NEW MOON PHASE, THE LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE COASTAL DISTRICTS OF SATKHIRA, KHULNA, BAGHERHAT, JHALOKATHI, PIROZPUR, BORGUNA, PATUAKHALI, BHOLA, BARISHAL, LAXMIPUR, CHANDPUR, NOAKHALI, FENI, CHATTOGRAM AND THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS ARE LIKELY TO BE INUNDATED BY STORM SURGE OF 4-5 FEET HEIGHT ABOVE NORMAL ASTRONOMICAL TIDE. THE COASTAL DISTRICTS OF SATKHIRA, KHULNA, BAGHERHAT, JHALOKATHI, PIROZPUR, BORGUNA, PATUAKHALI, BHOLA, BARISHAL, LAXMIPUR, CHANDPUR, NOAKHALI, FENI, CHATTOGRAM AND THEIR OFFSHORE ISLANDS AND CHARS ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE WIND SPEED UP TO 140-160 KPH IN GUSTS/ SQUALLS WITH HEAVY TO VERY HEAVY FALLS DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE STORM. ALL FISHING BOATS AND TRAWLERS OVER NORTH BAY AND DEEP SEA HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY AND WILL REMAIN IN SHELTER TILL FURTHER NOTICE.

In the evening of June 3, 2020, the 'Vebo Runner' suffered engine trouble on the Wester Scheldt. The patrol boat 'RWS79' which was just returning from the grounded barge 'Martcilino' investigated the scene. The 'Vebo Runner' was able to reach the nearby crane ship 'Werkendam' under its own power which happened to be nearby. It was moored alongside and then pulled to Terneuzen. Photo: https://twitter.com/VLW_Andre/status/1268302870736244737

More than 40 beaches along the NSW coastline have been inspected and cleaned after 50 containers were lost off the 'APL England'. All debris has been removed from Birdie Beach on the NSW Central Coast after the containers went overboard in heavy seas south of Sydney on May 24. Operator ANL was working closely with NSW maritime authorities to ensure all affected beaches were cleaned. Clean-up crews have inspected and cleaned 45 beaches since the accident with 20 separate recovery teams deployed. One of the impacted beaches was Bateau Bay on the Central Coast, with operations continuing to remove the five containers which washed onto the rocks. Dozens of plastic containers washed up on the shoreline of Port Botany following the spill. 24 of the 50 containers lost overboard were empty refrigerated containers, while 26 contained a variety of goods. As of June 2, 16 containers had been accounted for. The Australian Marine Safety Authority has laid charges against the master of the 'APL England' for offences relating to pollution and damage of the marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading. Report with photos and video: https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-beaches-cleaned-following-cargo-spill-by-apl-england/64ce35bf-97df-41d1-ae37-b8e479298268

The heads of the maritime, labour and aviation organizations of the United Nations have issued a plea for urgent action on crew changes and for keyworker designation so that sea and air workers can be relieved and repatriated in a safe way during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a joint statement (CL.4204/Add.18), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) advised that from the middle of June 2020, around 150,000 seafarers a month will require international flights to ensure crew changeovers can take place. Half of these seafarers need to be repatriated home by aircraft, the other half will be joining ships. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, large numbers of seafarers, as well as crews of fishing vessels, have had to extend their service on board ships after many months at sea, unable to be replaced or repatriated after long tours of duty. This is unsustainable, both for the safety and wellbeing of seafarers and the safe operation of maritime trade. "For humanitarian reasons – and the need to comply with international safety and employment regulations – crew changes cannot be postponed indefinitely," the statement said. "We are seeking the support of Governments to facilitate crew changes, operations essential to maintain the global cargo supply chains and operations related to humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights." During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, travel is being curtailed to prevent spread of the disease. Some ports and airports remain closed due to travel restrictions, with ships and aircraft denied entry, and/or have introduced restrictive measures for foreign nationals travelling to or from the country. As a result, seafarers around the world are stranded onboard ships, unable to be repatriated home or replaced by relief crews The three Organizations urge "key worker" designation for seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, offshore energy sector personnel, aviation personnel, air cargo supply chain personnel, and service provider personnel at airports and ports, regardless of nationality. Governments are urged to exempt these personnel from travel restrictions, to ensure crew changes can be carried out and that they have access to emergency medical treatment and, if necessary, to facilitate emergency repatriation. The joint statement says Governments and relevant national and local authorities should implement already-agreed guidance, issued by ICAO, IMO, ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO), including on keyworker designation. This includes permitting seafarers, marine personnel, fishers and offshore energy sector personnel to disembark and embark ships in port and transit through their territory (i.e. to an airport) for the purpose of crew changes and repatriation; and implementing appropriate approval and screening protocols. Earlier this month, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim endorsed a series of protocols developed by a broad cross-section of global maritime industry associations to ensure that ship crew changes can take place safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 80% of global trade by volume is moved by maritime transport, which is the lifeblood of the global economy, and is dependent on the two million seafarers who operate the world's merchant ships. Air transport carried about 4.5 billion passengers in 2019, according to preliminary ICAO figures, while airfreight represents 35% of the value of goods shipped in all modes combined. The total number of licensed aviation professionals, which include pilots, air traffic controllers and licensed maintenance technicians, was 887,000 in 2019, according to ICAO personnel statistics and forecasts. Download ICAO/IMO/ILO joint statement The joint statement was signed by Fang Liu, Secretary General International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); Kitack Lim, Secretary-General International Maritime Organization (IMO); and Guy Ryder, Director-General International Labour Organization (ILO). The statement can be downloaded here - CL.4204/Add.18 A Joint Statement on designation of seafarers, marine personnel, fishing vessel personnel, offshore energy sector personnel, aviation personnel, air cargo supply chain personnel, and service provider personnel at airports and ports as key workers, and on facilitation of crew changes in ports and airports in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A global petition aiming to draw the attention of the general public to the problems of over 150 000 seafarers that cannot leave or cannot joint ship crews due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative belongs to the International Marittime Organization (IMO) Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for Bulgaria Capt. Andriyan Evtimov. The purpose is to have the document signed online by at least the same number of people as that of the blocked by the COVID-19 seafarers, and then send it to the IMO member-state governments with an appeal for immediate and urgent measures to facilitate the movement of seafaring personnel. Currently, only a few countries permit crewmember exchange in their ports, which has a direct negative impact on seafarers’ wellbeing, on the safety of navigation and the global supply chains. The petition, which can be accessed at www.seafarersmatter.com, draws to the attention of the governments that the maritime industry is the backbone of world trade and any continuation of the restrictive measures currently in place against the seafarers would lead to detrimental effect for the global economy. More than 90% of world trade takes place by sea and the seafarers are those who constantly and in personal deprivation carry out their mission ensuring the operation of the supply chains, including such for medical supplies to combat the pandemic. You can access the petition online at www.seafarersmatter.com

Two robbers from a small boat boarded the 'Dubai Crown' which was at anchor at the Muara Berau anchorage in position 000 15 56.4S, 117 36 50.4E, on June 2, 2020, at 11 a.m The robbers used hooks and ropes to board the vessel, broke into the forecastle store and started lowering mooring ropes overboard into the water. The alert crew noticed the robbers and raised the alarm, resulting in the robbers aborting the theft and escaping in their boat without any stolen goods.

The "Natalia" returned to the port of Mar del Plata in the night of June 2 with its 29 isolated crew members because some of them had showed feverish symptoms at sea. SAME personnel received them at the quay and evaluated the condition of those affected to determine how many had to apply the protocol of transfer and sanitary containment. A device was established to lead people to one of the prepared hotels, while the others remained on the ship to be swabbed. The ship had set sail from Mar del Plata two weeks ago and before doing so, all the fishermen underwent the corresponding sanitary protocol. However, the sudden appearance of feverish pictures in at least one crew member and diarrhea of five others forced the return while fishing 200 miles from Mar del Plata. Spanish report with photo: https://www.entrelineas.info/articulo/1079/26822/mar-del-plata-regreso-el-buque-natalia-y-se-activo-el-protocolo-por-coronavirus

Ore carrier MV Stellar Banner (IMO 9726803) sailed last February 24th, 2020 - 15:06LT after loaded about 290.000 mt of iron ore to be discharged at Qingdao - China. During out bond to sea passage vessel grounded in a sand bank about 100 kilometers away. Vessel suffered damage to the bow after ground, she already out from the access channel to the port. The 20 crew members were safely evacuated and the ship's. Master reported fissure on the hull and adopted to aground in a sand bank and keep vessel floating. Its is owned and operated by the South Korean company Polaris. There are some tugs giving assistance.

Chittagong Port wants to construct new facility at Ananda Bazar, North Halishohor. It includes construction of breakwater for about 11km, dredging construction of a multi-purpose terminal and two container terminals. It is a project with a possible value above USD 2 Billion. After the decision of the government, PPPA communicated with ESG to nominate a suitable company for the project as a requirement of G2G PPP Policy of Bangladesh and they have nominated PSA Singapore.. Objective: To Provide a major gateway for the country's trade with the outside world Primary issue is the limiting factor in accommodating larger vessel sizes and so Chittagong Port Authority intends to construct the "Bay Terminal” to improve the quality of services and develop adequate facilities and decrease the pressure on the existing Chittagong Port. Enhance competitiveness of the country’s exports as prices of imported and exported commodities decrease as a result of shorter shipping time and lower shipping costs. Exporters would incur lower financial costs for their shipments due to the shorter processing and shipping time for their cargo.