The river cruise ship 'De Zonnebloem' is hoped to set sail again on July 7 from its home port of Arnhem en route to Lelystad with a group of young holidaymakers, after repairs Scheepswerf De Gerlien van Tiem in Druten. The works were in the final stages, and the shipyard hoped to deliver the ship at the end of June. On June 3 it was announced that the German company of the 'Servia' , which sailed into the 'De Zonnebloem', is suing the foundation and holding it liable for the damage, even though he tested positive for alcohol. The argument is that the river cruise ship should have sailed more on the other side of the fairway. Who will ultimately pay for the repair costs still has to be determined. It is not yet known when the lawsuit will be.
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MSC ELSA 3
The 'MSC Elsa 3', which sank 14.6 nautical miles off Thottappa, was carrying a mixed consignment, including chemicals and raw materials. including 13 containers of calcium carbide, several containers of hydrazine and hydroxylamine, and other holding bleached chemi-thermo, slaked lime, sodium lauryl ether sulphate, fish oil, polymer pellets, newsprint, wood, cashews, and vegetables. Of the 643 containers on board, 70 were empty. The disclosure, coming 11 days after the vessel sank, came against the backdrop of Kerala high court on June 5, directing the state govt to publicly disclose details concerning the nature of the cargo, its potential environmental impact and the mitigation measures being planned. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji gave the directive on a PIL filed by former MP T. N. Prathapan, seeking comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation for fishermen and other affected stakeholders. The court also sought instructions from the state on whether such information is already available and if not, expected the govt to publish the available details before the next hearing.
Zeebrugge
Affiliates of Qatar Petroleum and the Belgian independent natural gas transport company Fluxys Belgium signed a long-term agreement for LNG unloading services at the Zeebrugge LNG Terminal. Under the agreement, Qatar Terminal Limited (QTL) -a subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum- will subscribe to the full capacity at the terminal from the expiry of the existing long-term unloading contracts and up to 2044. The transaction follows a competitive evaluation process as well as the approval of the Belgian regulators. QTL is already a party to an existing agreement under which approximately 50% of the terminal’s capacity is utilized for delivery of Qatari LNG into Belgium under long-term LNG agreements.
Mombasa
The first berth of the Lamu Port is now 98 per cent complete and is set to be unveiled next month. The construction has been ongoing for three years. Stakeholders are optimistic that it will have a socio-economic transformation of the region through trade. It will open up the corridor counties to the rest of the country and neighbouring states. At least 33 shipping companies have shown interest and their representatives have either toured the site or will do so before the opening date. Lamu Port will be actively involved in the transhipment business as its depth can accommodate big ships from which cargo can be loaded to smaller ships bound for Mombasa, according to Abdullahi Samatar, Kenya Ports Authority general manager in charge of Infrastructure development.
DE ZONNEBLOEM
The 'De Zonnebloem' is hoped to set sail again on July 7 from its home port of Arnhem en route to Lelystad with a group of young holidaymakers, after repairs Scheepswerf De Gerlien van Tiem in Druten. The works were in the final stages, and the shipyard hoped to deliver the ship at the end of June. On June 3 it was announced that the German company of the 'Servia' , which sailed into the 'De Zonnebloem', is suing the foundation and holding it liable for the damage, even though he tested positive for alcohol. The argument is that the river cruise ship should have sailed more on the other side of the fairway. Who will ultimately pay for the repair costs still has to be determined. It is not yet known when the lawsuit will be.
CUAUHTEMOC BE 01
On June 6, the 'Cuauhtémoc' was towed from its berth at the pier 36 in lower Manhattan on the East River to the Brooklyn Navy Yard—an industrial park—, by the tugs 'Douglas J.' (IMO: 8991047), 'Mary Alice' (IMO: 7402738), 'J. Arnold White (MMSI: 368211990) and 'Meagan Anne' (IMO: IMO 8976281). The Mexican Navy announced it was the next part of a technical evaluation and the process to ensure the vessel once against sails as a symbol of Mexico. The move forced the closure of the East River to maritime traffic. The operation was involving the United States Coast Guard, New York Police Department port units, and other private sector units, The transfer of the vessel was scheduled to begin at approximately 6:45 a.m.LT and concluded at approximately 8:00 a.m., during which time the East River was to be closed between the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges. The transfer time was selected and coordinated with the tide schedule. The East River has strong currents and the early morning was reported during the slack tide period so the vessel would encounter minimal resistance. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is continuing its investigation to clarify the causes of the allision. Although the entire process could take between 12 and 24 months, a preliminary report could be ready before the end of June. According to investigator Brian Young, the 'Cuauhtémoc' sailed from Pier 17 at 8:20 p.m. At that time, there was a headwind and a strong current in the East River pushing the ship toward the Brooklyn Bridge. Minutes after beginning the maneuver, the rear of the vessel (the stern) accelerated more than expected, reaching a speed of six knots (about 11 km/h). At 8:24 p.m., the crew issued a distress call over the radio to request support from other tugs. However, it was too late: the vessel's masts, over 48 meters high, allided with the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite the impact, authorities ruled out serious structural damage to the structure. After the accident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported that she requested support from the United States Coast Guard to clearly determine what caused the allision: whether it was a mechanical failure, human error, or a failure of the towing service. Wilson Aramboles, chief of special operations for the New York City police, said the barque had lost power and was swept by the current toward one of the bridge’s pillars. Report with photo and video: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/video-damaged-mexican-sail-training-ship-moved-for-repairs
Benghazi
The commercial port in Libya’s second city Benghazi is working round the clock three years after reopening, attempting to raise revenues for its restoration and expansion. The port was caught in the crossfire as rival factions battled for control of Benghazi from 2014 in a conflict that left parts of the eastern Libyan city in ruins. It suspended operations as the main gate and some buildings were destroyed and the roads strewn with shells. Forces led by Khalifa Haftar eventually declared victory in Benghazi in 2017. Repairs and reconstruction have been limited — two out of three damaged tug boats are still out of service. But the port is now doing brisk business and trucks loaded with cars and containers carrying foodstuffs, motor oils and other goods can be seen streaming out of the main gate near the city center. Port manager Yzaid Bozraida said monthly revenues stood at more than seven million Libyan dinars ($4.9 million) before the war, though the income had not been used to develop the port.
Sydney
NSW Ports and Patrick Terminals have commenced work on a A$190 million project to double on-dock rail infrastructure capacity at Port Botany’s Patrick Terminals - Sydney AutoStrad in Australia. The project includes investment of A$120 million from NSW Ports to deliver on-dock rail infrastructure and A$70 million from Patrick Terminals to deliver automated rail operating equipment at the container terminal. The project will deliver capacity to handle one million TEUs on rail and improve train turn-around times by 33 percent. It will be opened in stages to allow existing rail operations at the terminal to continue throughout the construction period. Once fully operational in 2023, the project will increase rail capacity of the Patrick Terminals – Sydney AutoStrad from 250,000 to one million TEU. It is anticipated to reduce the truck kilometers travelled in Sydney by at least 10 million per year, saving over two million liters of diesel per year – the equivalent of a net reduction of more than 5,400 in CO2 emissions tonnes per year.
VISION 228
The 'Vision 228' was involved in the salvage operation, after the container barge 'Marco Polo 802', that was scheduled to reach a terminal in Singapore on June 6, 2025, at 10a.m., broke through the floating sea barriers and was touching the rocks off Tanjong Beach in Sentosa on the morning. A portion of the floating security barriers off Sentosa was damaged in the incident, and the Police Coast Guard was assessing the damage in order to carry out the necessary repairs. The Coastguard has also concurrently increased patrols in the vicinity. There were no reports of damage, injuries or pollution, and that navigational safety was not impacted. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)) mobilized tugs to tow the barge, which remained stable, out to sea again. At 10.45 a.m,the barge had been moved a distance away from the shore. The MPAwas working closely with Sentosa Development Corporation and other agencies to minimise disruption and started investigating the cause of the incident. Another tug, that was stuck in a floating sea barrier, near where the barge had been grounded, was towed away by the 'Vision 228'. Reports with photos and video: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/barge-marco-polo-802-grounded-tanjong-beach-sentosa-mpa-5168451 https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/barge-grounds-off-singapore-tanjong-023302527.html https://mothership.sg/2025/06/container-barge-grounded-sentosa-tanjong-beach/
BARCAROLE
The 'Barcarole' continued to make its way across the Mediterranean heading towards Gaza although it had a brief scare on the night of June 3. The Freedom Flottllla group put out an urgent appeal for help after it detected a drone approximately 40 nautical miles outside of Greek waters. Te drone was briefly overhead and then departed. Later it was confirmed it was a Heron surveillance drone from the Greek Coast Guard. Greece, which regularly patrolled the region as it was monitoring movements especially because of the strong influx of small migrant boats in the region. The group of a dozen people aboard the 'Barcarole' includes the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, actor Liam Cunningham, and the member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan. The sailing ship will not be allowed to dock in the Gaza Strip. Israeli security authorities have decided, and the group is also not allowed to approach the sealed-off Palestinian territory, it was reported on June 4. They do not want to set a precedent. On June 5, the Defense Minister Israel Katz and high-ranking army officials are scheduled to discuss further steps. it is possible that the ship could be towed to the port of Ashdod and the activists on board arrested there. Israeli authorities have also previously denied activists permission to dock their ships in Gaza. The same day, the yacht received a call from Frontex about a distressed migrant vessel nearby. The crew diverted course for about two hours to assist. it found 30-40 people on a boat that was rapidly deflating. As the 'Barcarole' launched its own inflatable rescue boat, a Libyan Coastguard vessel approached at high speed. To avoid being taken by the Libyan authorities, four people jumped into the sea, and began desperately swimming toward the NGO ship, using inflatable tires as life-vests to remain afloat. The crew of the "Barcarole" then issued a mayday call itself, but other vessels remained at distance. A doctor onboard the 'Barcarole' inspected the four migrants reescued, and didn’t note any serious injuries, except for a man suffering from light hypothermia. The Sudanese men told that they had left Libya on June 1 in the hope of reaching Europe. They had been navigating for three days when the engine died. They later drifted for two more days, before being found. The humanitarian vessel initially planned on negotiating with Greek authorities to take charge of the migrants, because their objective was still to reach Gaza. Finally, a team from Frontex came to take the four rescued individuals into its charge. Report with photos: https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/64998/activist-boat-with-aid-for-gaza-rescues-four-migrants-in-mediterranean-sea
Freeport TX
Freeport LNG on Sept. 03 announced that it has shipped the first LNG commissioning cargo for Train 1 from its liquefaction facility located on Quintana Island in Freeport, Texas. Approximately 150,000 cubic meters of LNG were loaded aboard the LNG Jurojin, which departed from the Freeport LNG terminal on September 3. “This first cargo loading is another significant step that gets us one step closer towards our start of commercial operations which is anticipated later this month,” said Michael Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Freeport LNG. “We are very pleased that it took less than 45 days to load our first cargo since gas was first introduced to our liquefaction facilities.” Freeport’s Train 2 is advancing pre-commissioning to support an in service date of January 2020. Train 3 is nearing completion to support an in service date of May 2020. Source: Freeport LNG
Philadelphia
Singapore-based port operator PSA International has completed the acquisition of Penn Terminals, located on the Delaware River in the US, from Macquarie Infrastructure Partners. According to PSA, Penn Terminals is one of the best equipped, privately owned multipurpose marine terminals on the Eastern Coast of the US. The deal marks PSA’s first acquisition in the US. Penn has recently undergone a significant capacity upgrade with the addition of two new post-panamax ship-to-shore (STS) cranes in late 2018.