News

The three crew members of the 'SL Diamantina', who assisted the bulk carrier 'Portland Bay' in July 2022, have received an Exceptional Bravery at Sea commendation from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) nominated Mr Brad Lucas (Master), Mr Alex Alsop (Deckhand), and Mr Marius Fenger (Engineer), for their extraordinary efforts in saving the lives of the crew on board the 'Portland Bay' and preventing an environmental disaster on the shores of the world’s second oldest national park, the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. In July 2022, the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier had lost propulsion during a severe weather event and rapidly drifted towards the coast in gale-force winds and high seas for two days. The crew of the 'SL Diamantina' braved the harsh weather conditions to keep the vessel from running aground, which had come dangerously close to the coast. They managed to secure a tow line to the vessel in waves as high as 10 metres. The tow line parted three times over the course of the next two hours, however the crew was able to keep the bulk carrier from running aground until emergency tugs could arrive and tow the ship to Port Botany. AMSA CEO Mick Kinley extended a heartfelt congratulations to the crew during his meeting with them in London. “Thanks to the remarkable bravery, stamina and resourcefulness of Master Brad Lucas, Engineer Marius Fenger and Deckhand Alex Alsop, 21 people are safe today,” he said. The award was presented to recipients at an IMO ceremony in the night of Dec 6, 2023, in London, with Mr Lucas, Mr Fenger and Mr Alsop in attendance. Tug Master Brad Lucas praised his crewmates for their outstanding support during the incident. “This award means a lot to me because I want to stand next to my engineer Marius and my deckhand Alex and remember the day, remember what we did that day.” Report with photo: https://www.marinebusinessnews.com.au/2023/12/australian-tugboat-responders-honoured-by-imo-for-bravery/

On Dec 6, 2023, the 'Kitsap' had to be taken out of service until further notice. The vessel was docked at Vashon Island after it bumped hard into the Sothworth terminal due to a still unknown mechanical issue, causing delays at the Southworth Terminal. The ferries 'Squamish' and 'Cathlamet' were serving the Fauntleroy Vashon and Southworth terminal until the issue has been fixed. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSGQsgOZPI

The Port of Kiel has launched a three-step plan that puts the port's 'Blue Port' concept into concrete terms, as a framework of its effort to completely reduce all of its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030. "The port will be climate-neutral by the end of this decade," noted Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director of Port of Kiel. The port's three-step plan envisages covering 60% of the energy requirements of ships calling at Kiel with green electricity as early as next year. This figure is expected to reach 80-90% by 2025, before climate neutrality is achieved for all activities of the German port in 2030, through a range of measures to supply port facilities with 100% climate-neutral green electricity that have already been implemented. The port is also planning to further decrease nitrogen oxides emissions. According to an environmental report, the Port of Kiel already avoided more than 6,200 tonnes of CO2 in 2020, while almost 18,800 tonnes were still emitted. The energy demand at the terminals has already been sustainably reduced by switching to economical LED technology and increasing energy efficiency, while photovoltaic systems provide around 290,000-kilowatt hours of solar energy every year. The port in the Baltic is also gradually converting its own vehicle fleet to electric drive and offers incentives to customers to promote the decarbonisation process. Moreover, the port has invested in on-shore power to reduce emissions. After the first system for shore-side power supply was connected to Norwegenkai in 2019, a second larger one was commissioned at Ostseekai in June, earlier this year. In the meantime, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is funding the establishment of a digital test field in the port to make the processes at the freight terminals even more efficient. Operational processes will therefore be optimised and made more sustainable on the basis of a 5G campus network. In this way, climate-neutral growth in port handling is expected to be supported by innovative information technology (IT). Measures towards zero emissions by 2030 in the German port also include electrification of the vehicle fleet, such as industrial trucks, digitalisation of operational processes for increased efficiency, as well as tariff-based environmental discount as an incentive for climate-friendly transformation.

BMF Port Burgas EAD is a private-owned port operator of terminal Burgas East 2 and terminal Burgas West, part of the national public port of Burgas, Republic of Bulgaria. On June 5 2019 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria decided to expand the duration of the concession term of both of the terminals from 35 to 46 years and 8 months each. A couple of days ago, we took an opportunity to talk with Mr. Boris Balev, CEO of BMF Port Burgas EAD, who provided us with invaluable insight into the company’s business and development plans and their most important projects on the horizon. Mr. Balev, how much money and in what directions are your investments in the development of BMF Port Burgas since 2012? The investments that will be realized for the 2021 amount to nearly 8 million euros. With them, the total amount of investments since 2012 is approximately 158 million euros. I dare say that with these funds we have completely transformed the two terminals of the Port of Burgas since they were given to us for management and operation. We have talked many times about the facilities we have built and modernized in the port in the past, so I will focus on what is new for this year. We have put into operation a new installation for discharging oil bitumen from ships to railway cars and tank trucks. We strive not only to constantly increase the number of available equipment, but also to modernize it to such with modern technologies for energy efficiency. We are constantly working towards expanding and modernizing the storage areas in the terminals. The project for expansion of our silo complex is going well so far. This year we built 2 more silos, 5,100 m3 each. The construction of another 2 is forthcoming. The total capacity of the complex after the completion of the construction activities will be 119,000 m3. The implementation of this project allowed us to mark a number of strong months in the processing of cereals this year. Interview in English: https://maritime1.com/65710/

Groups of men have been photographed on Dec 5, taking selfies and tours on the 'Galaxy Leader'. A boat carries people to the vehicles carrier at the port of Hodeidah which is held in port along with its crew, including Bulgarian, Mexican, Filipino and Ukrainian nationals. Images from on board have shown large groups of people entering and leaving the ship by boat, as well as several Yemenis armed with rifles walking the deck. At least one part of the ship also displayed graffiti with a slogan expressing support for Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The 'Galaxy Leader' is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd, which is registered in the Isle of Man. It is owned by Ray Car Carriers, which is co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar, according to documents from the Isle of Man government's companies registry. Reports with photos: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bk6h8p6st https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12834113/Hijacked-cargo-ship-tourist-attraction-Groups-men-seen-taking-tours-Galaxy-Leader-Iran-Houthi-rebels-sieged-vessel-Red-Sea.html https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67632940

The crew of the 'Waesche (WMSL 751)' offloaded approximately 18,219 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $239 million, on Dec 6, 2023 in San Diego. The offload was a result of six separate suspected drug smuggling vessel interdictions or events off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America by the Coast Guard Cutters 'Waesche' and 'Active' in November. - USCGC Waesche – 1,550 kg (3,417 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 7); - USCGC Waesche – 1,309 kg (2,886 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 15); - USCGC Waesche – 1,140 kg (2,513 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 16); - USCGC Waesche – 2,510 kg (5,534 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 20); - USCGC Active – 1,735 kg (3,825 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 23); USCGC Active – 20 kg (44 lbs) cocaine (Nov. 24). The biggest of the six interdictions was the most recent interdiction, occurring on Nov. 20, which was an interdiction of a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) carrying more than 5,500 pounds of cocaine. The interdiction of the SPSS was the first in the Eastern Pacific since 2020. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3609652/multimedia-release-coast-guard-crew-offloads-more-than-239-million-worth-of-coc/

Fifth X-Bow cruise ship for SunStone Ships US-based SunStone Ships are having innovative Infinity class expedition cruise ships with X-Bow built in China, and things are happening in quick succession: The GREG MORTIMER (IMO 9834648), which was completed in 2019, was followed by the OCEAN EXPLORER (IMO 9883194) in July 2021 and the OCEAN VICTORY (IMO 9868869) in October 2021, which will also be followed this year by the SYLVIA EARLE (IMO 9872327). On November 9, 2021, the fifth Infinity class ship was already launched at China Merchants Heavy Industries in Haimen: the OCEAN ODYSSEY (IMO 9880673). Like the OCEAN EXPLORER that has already been delivered, she is intended for the charterer Vantage Travel and is scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter 2022. The further ships of this class currently under construction are the OCEAN ALBATROS and OCEAN DISCOVERER. Full article + images: https://www.cruisedeck.de/stapellauf-der-ocean-odyssey/

Get in touch We are always glad to provide our dedicated assistance as ship agents when a vessel is calling at any Colombian port or terminal. LBH Colombia is an exclusive and experienced company with more than 26 years in the Colombian market, enhancing integrated maritime operations with leadership and professionalism, We are fully committed to serve with excellence, to respect the business and to positively surprise our customers. Rendering fllw services: Ship Agents Logistic Management Husbandry Agents Reliable protective Agents Head Office Manga Av. California # 26 - 64 Cartagena- Bolivar, Colombia. marketing@lbhcolombia.com please kindly visit our website www.lbhcolombia.com @lbhcolombia

The wreck of a motor yacht which had collided with the'Svanoy' on July 2, 2023, near the Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive quay was finally removed from the waters in the evening of Dec 5 by the company MVC Canada. Four persons from Ontario, who were aboard the yacht at the time of the incident, fell into the water. A woman in her fifties, with serious injuries, and a man were then transported to a hospital. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) was analyzing the possibility of conducting an investigation into the events. Report with photos: https://cihofm.com/news/collision-avec-le-nm-svanoy-lembarcation-de-plaisance-retiree-des-eaux/

The 'Star Apus' suffered a fire in the cargo hold at the Tilbury Bulk Terminal onDec 6, 2023, at 5.43 p.m. GMT while loading a cargo of 5000 tons metal scrap. Five fire teams of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service responded, and the fire could be contained to the cargo hold. The already loaded scrap has been offloaded again in order to get to still smoldering hotspots, so that the fire was finally extinguished. Two crews remained at the scene to cool it down and monitor hotspots. The ship had berthed at Tilbury Docks on Dec 4 en route from Terneuzen. Report with photo: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-67645645

Fourth Edge class ship under construction. The first steel cut for the CELEBRITY ASCENT was celebrated on November 17, 2021 at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France. It is already the fourth Edge class ship for Celebrity Cruises – after the CELEBRITY EDGE, CELEBRITY APEX and CELEBRITY BEYOND. The ships are each 306 meters long and measured with approx. 130,000 gross tons. A special feature of these cruise ships is the so-called Magic Carpet, a vertically movable deck on the starboard side. The CELEBRITY ASCENT is expected to be completed by the second half of 2023. Full article: https://www.cruisedeck.de/erster-stahlschnitt-fuer-celebrity-ascent/

Get in touch We are always glad to provide our dedicated assistance as ship agents when a vessel is calling at any Colombian port or terminal. LBH Colombia is an exclusive and experienced company with more than 26 years in the Colombian market, enhancing integrated maritime operations with leadership and professionalism, We are fully committed to serve with excellence, to respect the business and to positively surprise our customers. Rendering fllw services: Ship Agents Logistic Management Husbandry Agents Reliable protective Agents Head Office Manga Av. California # 26 - 64 Cartagena- Bolivar, Colombia. marketing@lbhcolombia.com please kindly visit our website www.lbhcolombia.com @lbhcolombia