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The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has awarded crew members of the 'Potomac Express' and the 'El Coqu'i with the Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Awards. They were recognized for their heroic efforts in ensuring the safety and security of others while at sea. The crew of the 'El Coqui', led by Capt. Kurt Breitfeller, played a pivotal role during the rescue operation of four people forced to abandon their sailboat after it was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the fishing vessel 'Bonanza', they worked to successfully locate, retrieve and transport the four to safety. In another case, while serving aboard the' Potomac Express', zjr Second Mate Kevin Zapolski displayed bravery when he swiftly responded to a distress call after a fellow crew member fell into the water between the dock and the vessel. Zapolski deployed a life ring, provided critical support and coordinated with the crew, terminal staff and emergency responders to rescue the crew member. The award recognizes those whose actions prevent harm and protect lives on the water each day. Report with photo: https://www.ajot.com/news/crowley-mariners-honored-for-heroic-rescues-by-american-waterways-operators

Thousands of Moroccans took to the streets of Tangier and Casablanca on April 20, 2025, protesting the planned arrival of the 'Maersk Detroit', which was believed to be carrying US fighter jet parts to Israel. In Tangier, over 1,000 protesters gathered at various locations, starting their march around 4:30 p.m. LT from the Iberia Palace in the city center. Protesters held signs and chanted slogans like “The people want the ship banned” and “No genocidal weapons in Moroccan waters,” calling for the vessel to be denied entry. The activists said the boxship was carrying F-35 warplane parts from the USA to Israel. The cargo originated from the US Air Force Plant 4 in Fort Worth and was en route to the port of Haifa between April 5 and May 1. The shipment was expected to be transferred at Tangier Med port to another Maersk vessel, the 'Maersk Nexoe', before reaching its final destination. The 'Maersk Detroit' docked at the Tangier Med Port on April 21. Moroccan dockworkers and groups supporting the Palestinian cause released separate statements claiming the cargo included F-35 jet parts bound for Israel. A similar protest took place across the Strait of Gibraltar in Algeciras, Spain, organised by a group called Cádiz for Palestine. They condemned Maersk’s alleged involvement and called on Spanish authorities to block suspected weapons shipments to Israel at ports including Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona. Meanwhile, Maersk has denied transporting weapons or ammunition to Israel. The company acknowledged it holds a contract with the US government and sometimes ships military-related equipment under US-Israeli security cooperation but insisted this specific shipment was not headed to Israel. Instead, Maersk said the cargo was destined for other members of the international F-35 fighter jet program. A statement from Morocco’s CGT General Union of Dock Workers and Port Personnel of the Gulf of Fos confirmed that all containers aboard the Maersk Nexoe had been inspected and showed no signs of carrying weapons or jet parts.

Russian missiles struck the port of Odessa on July 23, 2022, violating a deal signed a day earlier to curb grain exports from Black Sea ports and ease global food shortages caused by the war. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the strike as blatant "barbarism" and that Moscow could not be trusted to implement the agreement. The Ukrainian military said that the missiles had not caused any significant damage and that preparations were underway to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports. The deal, signed by Moscow and Kyiv on July 22 and brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, has been hailed as a breakthrough after nearly five months of punitive fighting since Russia invaded its neighbor. By allowing grain exports from Black Sea ports, including Odessa, it is seen as crucial in curbing rising global food prices.

One of the fastest growing ports in Brazil, having surpassed the mark of 22 million tons handled in 2021, Pecem Port is the newest regular member of the International Association of Ports (IAPH), a global alliance of 170 ports and 140 organizations related to the port sector. Entity of great international prestige, IAPH was founded in 1955 and currently handles more than 60% of the world's maritime trade and around 80% of the world's container traffic, through its members.

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has awarded crew members of the 'Potomac Express' and the 'El Coqu'i with the Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Awards. They were recognized for their heroic efforts in ensuring the safety and security of others while at sea. The crew of the 'El Coqui', led by Capt. Kurt Breitfeller, played a pivotal role during the rescue operation of four people forced to abandon their sailboat after it was damaged in the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the fishing vessel 'Bonanza', they worked to successfully locate, retrieve and transport the four to safety. In another case, while serving aboard the' Potomac Express', zjr Second Mate Kevin Zapolski displayed bravery when he swiftly responded to a distress call after a fellow crew member fell into the water between the dock and the vessel. Zapolski deployed a life ring, provided critical support and coordinated with the crew, terminal staff and emergency responders to rescue the crew member. The award recognizes those whose actions prevent harm and protect lives on the water each day. Report with photo: https://www.ajot.com/news/crowley-mariners-honored-for-heroic-rescues-by-american-waterways-operators

The National Prosecutor's Office has authorized the Prosecutor's Office to finance this service of taking the 'Cobra' to dry dock and, together with the Investigative Police and their experts, to conduct a series of studies of the vessel's operation and of evidence that may still be there, in order to advance investigative conclusions that are fundamental to this investigation. The hearing will take place on May 2 and will last 24 hours. For his part, the 'Blumar's lawyer, Alejandro Espinoza, stated that a request has been submitted to the Public Prosecutor's Office to have the 'Cobra' taken to a dry dock at the company's expense so that all necessary forensic examinations can be carried out and any doubts surrounding the incident can be cleared up. Initial accounts from the ship's crew indicated that they heard nothing on the day of the accident (March 30), and later, some crew members said they heard a noise attributed to an internal door.

A fire at a container depot in the town of Sitakunda about 40 km from Chittagong led to a chemical explosion in containers that killed at least 49 and injured more than 300 people on June 4, 2022. Among those killed in the blast that could be heard several miles away were several firefighters. Dozens of dead were scattered among the burnt-out containers and many of the wounded were in critical condition after the huge explosion in the depot containing about 4,000 containers. Hundreds of firefighters, police and volunteers quickly arrived at the depot as the fire broke out around 6 p.m. LT. The extinguishing work had started when the violent explosion threw parts from containers and people into the air. At least five firefighters were killed and even more injured. Many were still missing on June 5. The container depot serves as a staging post for the goods - primarily clothing - to be exported via Chittagong, and contained millions of dollars worth of clothing that was to be passed on to businesses in Western countries. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLiyBU7RKIc&feature=emb_title

After the previous year’s downturn caused by the corona pandemic, in 2021 the seaborne cargo throughput trend in the Port of Hamburg was more positive than expected. This totalled 128.7 million tons, or nearly two percent more than in the first year of the corona pandemic. At 8.7 million TEU - 20-ft standard containers, container handling was up by 2.2 percent. Rail freight transport reached a record level in 2021. Last year, the Port of Hamburg Railway handled a transport volume of 48.5 million tons, up by four percent. At 2.79 million TEU, an eight percent advance was achieved for containers. “Hamburg is impressively extending it position as the world’s largest rail port. Despite persistent challenges caused by the pandemic and disrupted transport chains, a new record figure was achieved for environment-friendly freight transport by rail,” said Ingo Egloff, Joint CEO of HHM – Port of Hamburg Marketing. Rail growth was powered by additional container train services and growing shipments in the medium-distance segment of up to 300 kilometres. Rail’s modal-split share of container transport in Hamburg has meanwhile reached around 51.5 percent. Transfer of freight shipments to rail there has been exemplary. This frees up roads and conserves the environment. At 46.1 percent, trucking’s share is declining. For container transport to and from the Port of Hamburg, inland waterway shipping attained a share of 2.4 percent. Rapid growth of container shipments along the New Silk Road Supplementing sea transport, a constantly growing number of containers are being transported between China and Hamburg by rail. Hamburg is Germany’s leading point of arrival and departure for seaborne container shipments and container train services on the New Silk Road. “Even if around 20 days are currently needed for rail transport over the 12,000 kilometres between China and Hamburg, the land route via the New Silk Road is faster than a ship by sea. For time-sensitive freight, the container train services therefore provide an attractive alternative for transport between Hamburg and China. Last year, around 160,000 TEU were shifted by rail between Hamburg and more than 25 destinations in China, an impressive 51 percent increase. Various suppliers market a total of more than 290 China train services to and from Hamburg,” explained Axel Mattern, HHM’s Joint CEO. Seaborne cargo throughput in the Port of Hamburg in 2021 In 2021, the worldwide repercussions of the corona pandemic again affected handling and transport trends in Germanys largest universal port. Over the whole year, 128.7 million tons of seaborne cargoes were loaded or discharged at Port of Hamburg terminals, a 1.9 percent increase on the previous year. Both general cargo throughput, up by 1.3 percent at 88.9 million tons, and bulk cargo handling, 3.3 percent higher at 39.8 million tons, contributed. In the container handling segment, 2021 throughput in Hamburg totalled 8.7 million TEU and was 2.2 percent higher. Within the bulk cargo segment, grab cargo throughput at 21.6 million tons was ahead by 11.2 percent. The main contributions there came from coal imports, up 15.9 percent at 5.5 million tons, and those of ore, 10.6 percent higher at 10.5 million tons. In the agribulk area, a total of 6.4 million tons was handled in 2021. The 14.7 percent downturn there is attributable lower throughput of grain. 2021 throughput of liquid cargoes was 1.7 percent up at 11.8 million tons. Higher exports of mineral oil products were primarily responsible for this slight advance, which formed part of the generally very steady development of this segment. “While considering the cargo volumes handled in the port, one also needs to remember that from German production alone, goods to the value of around 116 billion euros are annually exported all over the world through the Port of Hamburg. The Port of Hamburg secures around 607,000 jobs in Germany,” said Egloff. China, the USA and Singapore head the ranking of Hamburg’s Top Ten partner countries for container handling Of the Port of Hamburg’s ten leading partner countries for container handling, no change occurred among the top six. The downturn in seaborne container handling with China recorded in the previous year has been halted. In 2021, a 5.5 percent advance to 2.6 million TEU was achieved. China consolidated its position as Hamburg’s leading trade partner by a wide margin. “We are delighted that with its China Germany Express (CGX), from April Hapag-Lloyd will be linking the Port of Hamburg every week with the Southern Chinese Dachan Bay terminal that forms part of the Port of Shenzhen. This new container liner service will further expand the range of altogether 18 liner services linking Hamburg with Chinese ports and consolidate Hamburg’s position as the leading China port,” says Mattern. Below China in the ranking of Hamburg’s trading partners in container transport come the USA - up 4.5 percent, Singapore - up 0.9 percent, Russia - down three percent, Sweden - up 7.5 percent, and Great Britain - down 9.9 percent. Port of Hamburg’s Top Ten are completed by Poland - up 20.7 percent in seventh place, South Korea - down 0.4 percent in eighth, Denmark up 4.6 percent in ninth, and Brazil up 3.2 percent in tenth place. Completion of fairway adjustment on Lower and Outer Elbe brings advantages Compared to the situation prior to deepening of the fairway, shipping on arrival and departure now profits from an increase in draft - depending on ship’s size – of between one metre and 1.90 metres. Irrespective of the tide, Megamax vessels with a breadth of up to 62.50 metres or a length of 400 metres, can now sail into port with a draft of up to 13.10 metres. Before the adjustment, the limit was only 11.40 metres. Depending on the tide, on leaving the limit is now 14.10 metres. Incoming, a draft of 15.40 metres is now possible. The maximum previously possible was just 13.60 metres. "We would like to thank our customers and partners for their trust in us - the Port of Hamburg during the fairway adjustment project, which has been under way for many years. Since late January this year, we can offer maximum draughts of between 1.00 and 1.90 m - depending on ship size - in both tide-independent and tide-dependent traffic. This helps to strengthen the Port of Hamburg's competitiveness," says Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority. An additional advantage is the opportunity now secured for readier passing by mega-ships. Along eight kilometres near Wedel, for instance, a ‘passing box’ has been constructed. This makes it possible for vessels with a combined breadth of up to 104 metres to pass each other. The fairway between Wedel and the Stör estuary has also been widened from 300 to 320 metres. Vessels with a combined breadth of less than 92 metres can now safely pass each other there. The Joint CEOs of Port of Hamburg Marketing, Axel Mattern and Ingo Egloff, welcome the now successfully completed fairway adjustment of the Elbe. “For shipping and our port business customers, these simplifications of access to Germany’s largest universal port also offer them the advantage of being able to route more cargo via Hamburg. Last year alone, 221 mega-containerships with slot capacities of between 18,000 and 24,000 TEU called the Port of Hamburg. That was a 16.9 percent increase, underlining the tremendous importance of the now completed fairway adjustment for rapid and secure traffic control on the Elbe. With high-performance transport routes, smart logistics solutions and growing use of low-emission energy sources and technology, we are on the right course for sustainable growth,” said Mattern. On the land side, environment-friendly rail plays the main part in freight transport, connecting inland market regions rapidly and reliably with the port. Prospects for 2022 "The war in Ukraine will have an impact on the throughput development of the Port of Hamburg. However, it is not yet possible to say to what extent the sanctions imposed on Russia will influence cargo handling. A realistic forecast for the current year cannot be made at this point in time because the pandemic could also continue to have an impact on global trade," says Mattern. For 2022, the Port of Hamburg's marketing organisation hopes for an overall stable trend in seaborne cargo handling.

The China Maritime Safety Administration (CMSA) has released a report on its findings into the explosion and fire which occurred on the 'YM Mobility' at the Ningbo Port on Aug 9, 2024, starting in a container loaded with dangerous goods close to the ship’s bow. The CMSA revealed in the report that the cargo in the reefer container included tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB), a compound that has thermal instability and can self-decompose at room temperature, and release large amounts of heat and produce gas or vapour. According to the shipper’s declaration, the container in question was a reefer unit used as a substitute for a dry container, without requiring power connection. The container was used to store TBPB despite having poor heat dissipation properties, with the heat generated by the TBPB self-decomposition reaction therefore accumulating in the container. The continuous increase in temperature accelerated the self-decomposition reaction, which resulted in thermal runaway and the subsequent explosion and fire. The incident occurred during a period when summer temperatures in Shanghai where the product was packed, were higher than usual. From July25 to Aug 9, Shanghai and Ningbo saw high temperatures, with daytime temperature reaching a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius. The investigation showed that the operator failed to exercise sufficient care when reviewing the cargo transportation plan. In particular, the operator failed to conduct a full safety assessment of the stability of the cargo and the risk of thermal runaway with respect to the conditions such as high outside temperatures, self-separation of the cargo, and thermal insulation of the unplugged reefer unit. The operator failed to conduct a full safety assessment of the stability of the cargo and the risk of thermal runaway with respect to the conditions such as high outside temperatures, self-separation of the cargo, and thermal insulation of the unplugged reefer unit. The operator agreed to use the unplugged reefer to transport the dangerous goods and did not consider the temperature changes in the container during transportation. The CMSA found no abnormalities in other steps throughout the cargo transportation process. The investigation found both the operator and the shipper to responsible for the incident.

The company RN Salvamento assisted the 'Papu Mar' and the barge '240-4' on a complex and challenging rescue operation, responding immediately after the tug sank on the night of April 17 near Banco Chico, at kilometer 77 of the Punta Indio Channel. The barge, carrying 140 containers, had remained conncected to the sunken tug, posing a significant risk to the stability of the vessel and its cargo. RN Salvamento deployed the tug 'Ona Don Lorenzo' (IMO: 9328388) with technical personnel to assess the situation and assist the barge. Despite strong winds that complicated the operation, the team managed to secure the 'Papu Mar's mooring lines. Subsequently, after the tug completely sank, the tug 'Ona Triunfo' (IMO: 9274604) was deployed with rescue personnel to rehabilitate the barge's anchoring system. The barge was uncoupled from the sunken tug and towed to the port of Buenos Aires, where it arrived undamaged and with all its cargo intact. The company is currently finalizing contractual details for the refloating of the 'Papu Mar'. Report with photos: https://comexonline.com.ar/noticias/val/62541/operacion-de-rescate-exitosa-rn-salvamento-asiste-al-remolcador-papu-mar-en-apuros.html

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British unions and politicians were on the other end after the country's largest ferry company - P&O Ferries - on March 17, 2022, fired 800 employees without notice, and put security guards to remove the fired from the ferries. In the morning of March 18, the ferries were still not sailing, and according to announcements from the shipping company on Twitter, they will not do so for the rest of the day. DFDS, which competes with P&O Ferries on the route between Dover and Calais, announced on March 17 that they were largely able to transfer the travelers who are currently unable to sail with P&O Ferries. The unions have called for large demonstrations in Dover, Liverpool and Hull on March 18, while the fired crew members are already taking action on the ferries. It was uncertain whether some of the fired were still on board the ferries. Not only the unions that are furious over the dismissals, but also politicians from both major parties condemned in sharp terms the methods used. P&O Ferries, owned by DP World in the United Arab Emirates, in the morning of March 17 ordered all the company's ferries into port, where the crews had to wait for an important announcement from the company. The announcement took the form of a Zoom meeting, where a representative of the management in a recorded feature announced that 800 employees had been fired with immediate effect and that as a result they would have to leave the ferries immediately. The vacancies will be taken over by foreign employees, subject to other agreements. According to the fired crew members, the new crew members were already present in the ports, where they were waiting in buses. Security guards were also waiting at the port. The guards were tasked with removing the fired employees from the ferries. In addition to the affected ferries on the Dover-Calais route, P&O operates ferry routes from Hull to Rotterdam, Liverpool to Dublin and Cairnryan to Larne in Northern Ireland.