News

Beached at Alang 10.06.25

Residents of Manihiki, Cook Island,were relieved, after the long-awaited Coral Bay barge from Fiji arrived on June 7, 2025,, with a crew of 11 on board, to begin dismantling the wreck of the 'Grinna II'. The vessel had run aground on Manihiki’s reef on March 21, 2022, near Tukao Harbour and was resting on a shallow on its starboard side since. The National Environment Service (NES) had completed its environmental assessment for removing the vessel MV Grinna from the Manihiki reef after multiple failed attempts om January 2024. The due diligence included consultations with the Island Government of Manihiki to remove any hazardous items. In May 2023, the NES reissued a notice specifying the environmental requirements for the vessel’s removal. Additionally, a SPREP (Pacific Regional Environment Programme) marine hazardous substance expert advised an onsite evaluation by a qualified professional to address salvage and spill responses. In June 2023, the Taio Shipping Ltd. provided a full management plan for the removal of the wreck from the Manihiki reef. The report submitted to Parliament in December stated that the NES finalised the assessment of the plan with technical advice from the Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR), aiming to begin the removal process in the last quarter of 2023. Failed attempts to remove the ship from the reef were made on March 24 by two fishing vessels. Plans were made to drag the 'Grinna II'out to sea by two foreign fishing boats and sink the damaged vessel off the west side of the island. However, the passenger/cargo vessel could not be dislodged off the reef. Reports with photos: https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/outer-islands/manihiki-residents-relieved-as-barge-arrives-to-dismantle-mv-grinna-ii-wreck/ https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/local/environment/outer-islands/environment-agency-approves-plan-to-remove-grounded-ship/

The PORT OF KIEL has redesigned the port apron in Ostuferhafen, which is the freight and logistics centre on the fjord. Where once stood a grain silo, there is now an expanded pre-stacking and stand-by area of three hectares for trucks, trailers and pas-senger cars.The State Premier of Schleswig- Holstein, Daniel Günther, visited the Ostufer-hafen on 12th August to hand over the grant notice coming from the State Programme Economy for 5.44 million Euros: The project to redesign the port apron included dismantling three hall areas of the former grain silo, excavation and road works as well as drainage, lighting and security measures and the connection of the area to the infrastructure. Through the new and generous port apron it has been possible to merge formerly separated pre-stacking areas, shorten distances and gain more space for trucks, busses, trailers and passenger cars. Furthermore, IT solutions have been developed to accelerate the handling processes at the gate, which also allow truck drivers to reduce personal contact.Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director at the PORT OF KIEL: “Even under the current circumstances the Ostuferhafen operates in a reliable and safe way. The port of Kiel has proven its systemic importance regarding the transshipment of cross-border freight transport.”In the first seven months of the year 2.1 million tons of cargo have been tran-shipped via the Ostuferhafen (+ 1 %). Additional volumes have been transported by the ferries of the DFDS shipping company to the Baltic States or they have been delivered by the SCA-RoRo-freighters from Scandinavia. Not only general cargo and forest products are unloaded resp. transhipped in Ostuferhafen but also project and heavy cargo, scrap metal and agricul-tural products. The integrated passenger terminal to handle cruise vessels emphasizes the universal character of this port part.

Vessells

Japan has received a shipment of Russian crude oil for the first time in more than two years, and it arrived on the 'Voyager', which has been sanctioned by both the United States and the European Union. The Taiyo Oil Co., a Japanese refiner based in Tokyo, has taken delivery of 600,000 barrels of Sakhalin Blend crude from the tanker. The oil was loaded from the Prigorodnoye terminal, located at the southern tip of Russia’s Sakhalin Island, on May 25, 2025. The 'Voyager' docked at the port of Kikuma on June 9 to unload the cargo. The 'Voyager', previously sailing as the 'Vernadsky Prospect', is one of 161 tankers that were sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in Jan 2024 under then-President Joe Biden. The European Union blacklisted the vessel in February as part of its sanctions on Russia. Despite the sanctions, Japan has continued to receive waivers allowing the import of Sakhalin Blend crude on the grounds of national energy security. This waiver was extended in the EU’s 17th sanctions package on May 21 and remains valid until late June 2026. A separate US waiver, which permits similar activity, is set to expire on June 28, though it is generally extended as a matter of policy. The purchase was made at the request of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). A liquefied natural gas (LNG) project backed by Japan would have been impacted if the crude oil could not be transported, as both LNG and crude are extracted together in the same process.

The 'Hebridean Isles', due to be scrapped has been given a stay of execution due to the Brexit. After the final sailing to Islay, the ferry has been anchored at King George V dock on the Clyde, awaiting transfer to Denmark to be scrapped. That was first mooted for April, but the ship has been unable to enter the European Union due to regulations over hazardous waste. The issue is believed to be related to the freezer compartments on board, and in particular the insulation used in their construction. From salvaging engine parts to removing hazardous material, The project has been closely managed to ensure compliance with all partners, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Danish equivalent. It was in the final stages of completing the required paperwork, and Calmac hoped to see her start the journey to Denmark as soon as all necessary permissions are granted. The rules have changed since Brexit and it takes more time to obtain approvals on paperwork. When paired with the complexity of decommissioning work to retain important parts of the vessel, the project has taken slightly longer than originally planned.

The Port of Beirut (PoB) resumed partial operations on Aug 10 with the first two container ships berthing in the container terminal after the explosion which killed at least 160 persons, injured thousands and made hundred thousands homeless. Out of 16 cranes at the container terminal, 12 were currently operational. The port was gradually resuming operations to ensure the supply of all kinds of goods to citizens. Bassem Al Kaissi, the new Director of the PoB, said that the container terminal will be fully operational by Aug 14. Al Kaissi said that 420 containers were unloaded on Aug 10. The container terminal storage area has been cleaned up and restored to its state before the blast. The container terminal represents 80 percent of the overall cargo movement at the PoB. It is located one kilometer away from the blast epicenter. Container vessels can dock at quay number 16. Shipping movement at the PoB had already plunged by 75 percent due to the economic crisis and has reached 15 percent following the blast. Customs have opened offices in the PoB’s warehouse number 14 which was partially damaged. The customs have become able to carry out the inspection of merchandise- Customs duties are being temporarily paid at the Rafic Hariri International Airport. Tthe PoB is now handling only full containers as groupage consignment requires warehouses which don’t exist now. Amer Al Kaissi said groupage, which represents 15 percent of shipments at the PoB, will be diverted to the Port of Tripoli until the rebuilding of warehouses at the PoB is completed. The first two containerships to berth at the PoB after the blast were the 'Electra' (Gezairi Transport) and the 'Nicolas Delmas' (CMA CGM). The 'Electra', which was carrying 400 containers, was diverted to Tripoli where there was a license to operate but the company insisted to unload it in Beirut when it was told that the PoB has resumed operation. The CMA CGM Group and CEVA Logistics said they are fully operational and ensuring business continuity to serve their customers. The Group has redeployed its employees in its two back-up sites in Beirut Digital District and reinforced its presence in Tripoli. Part of CMA CGM’s vessels has been temporarily directed to Tripoli. Few shipping companies are authorized to operate in other ports such as Tripoli or Saida. BCTC, the Customs and the PoB’s authorities did their best to handle the clearing formalities despite the difficult working conditions. The general cargo area was fully operational on Aug 12 both for imports and exports. This includes wheat and other grains as well as construction steel bars. The cost of rebuilding the port is estimated at around $1 billion.

Ships

On June 10 the US Coast Guard has announced the formation of a Unified Command to manage the ongoing response and salvage efforts following the grounding of the 'Honorable James L. Oberstar'. The Unified Command consists of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Chippewa County, and Interlake Steamship Company while multiple federal, state, local and partner organizations are also helping with the response. Representatives from the Northern Michigan Area Committee including the Army Corps of Engineers, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Bay Mills Tribe, and the City of Sault Ste Marie (Ontario) are participating and advising the UC throughout the response. The priorities of the US are ensuring the safety of the public and responders, protecting wildlife and the environment, ensuring economic activities in the area are minimally affected, and the safe transit of the vessel. The vessel was anchored down in the St. Marys River about 10 miles downriver of the Soo Locks. The Unified Command (UC) has been established to continue the response. The ship notified the Coast Guard opn June 8 shortly before 3 p.m. of vibrations while underway east of Neebish Island in the St. Marys River. There were no reports of pollution in the water or surrounding area, and there were no injuries on board- Reports with photos: https://www.sooleader.com/local-news/response-to-honorable-james-l-oberstar-vessel-issue-continues-10791432 https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9101299/unified-command-established-hay-lake-marine-casualty-sault-sainte-marie-michigan

On June 11, 2025, the 'Hein', en route from Port of Spain to St Vincent and the Grenadines, became unstable due to shifting cargo and developed a list to port side, prompting the crew to beach it to prevent it from capsizing. The ship was partially submerged, at the stern, after it was run aground on the southern side of Monas Island in Chaguaramas (Lat. 10.6809 Lng.-61.6887). The vessel was eaking hydrocarbons into the Gulf of Paria, which has raised serious concerns regarding environmental safety and creating a national emergency. The 'Hein' was carrying a shipment of bricks. Efforts were underway to refloat the ship, Report with photo and video: https://associatestimes.com/news/guyanese-cargo-vessel-hein-grounds-in-chaguaramas-leaks-hydrocarbons https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1050188550006765 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKvnATdsj0Y/

Ships

Ships