News

The 'Astrolabe' has left Hobart on Nov 29, bound to Fremantle where it should arrive on Dec 9 to be drydocked. Following the problems with propulsion and inspection dives, it appeared that the vessel should see the propulsion bearings changed. Once drydocked, additional inspections will be conducted to see if further work is needed. To date it was thought the icebreaker could return to service on Dec 17, but this date could still be subject of changes.

On Dec 3, 2019, an ISPS inspection was carried out aboard the 'Listervik' in the port of Mukran upon Rügen island by the water police Sassnitz. The officials found that security plan measures were not implemented in terms of access control and securing the restricted areas. Among other things, a mandatory check of on board persons had not taken place. The ship's security officer (SSO) did not have the necessary knowledge of the contents of the so-called security plan. Following a presentation by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the SSO had to pay a security deposit of 1053.50 Euro. The ship left the port again on Dec 4 at 9.25 a.m. bound to St. Petersburg with an ETA as of Dec 6.

The US Coast Guard informed that it reopened the Houston Ship Channel, on September 13, after a protest demonstration near Baytown, Texas. Namely, on September 12, 22 Greenpeace US climbers created a blockade from the Fred Hartman Bridge in Baytown. The closure on the ship channel started on September 12, after Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received notification that about 11 individuals were suspended from the Fred Hartman Bridge. A US Coast Guard Station Houston 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew, a US Coast Guard Station Galveston 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew and the crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark were launched to the scene.

Last week, the Dutch multimodal operator Multi Modal Rail B.V. launched a new container rail service between Rotterdam and the French town of Ottmarsheim, Port of Rotterdam said in its release. Starting with one round trip per week, the shuttle connection is expected to swiftly expand to two round trips per week. The train calls on each of Rotterdam’s major terminals. After being loaded in Rotterdam on Thursday, the shuttle departs from the sea port on Friday and arrives/departs in Ottmarsheim on Saturday. The train is back at Maasvlakte for unloading on Sunday morning. The shuttle service is offered as a complement to the two existing container rail services between Rotterdam and Strasbourg.

The 'F.-A.-Gauthier' by Dec 4 has completed his sea trials in the Quebec City area. On his next trip, the ship will move to Matane where other tests will be conducted in Matane. The plan of STQ has not changed, still aiming for a return of the 'F-A Gauthier' before the holiday season.

The 'Karkloe', en route from Södertalie to Nouadhibou went adrift 40 miles south-southeast of Lizard Point on Dec 4, 2019, 8.10 p.m. after the engines stopped working due to a pitch issu. The vessel was drifting at a speed of 0,85 knots in north-northwest winds. The vessel was taken in tow by the tug 'TSM Kermor' (IMO: 9712412) at 3 a.m. on Dec 5 and pulled towards Brest for repairs.

Napier Port, the third largest port on New Zealand’s North Island, has placed an order with Damen Shipyards Group for an Azimuth Tractor Drive (ATD) Tug 2412 Twin Fin for delivery later this year. The contract was signed by Sjoerd de Bruin, sales manager Pacific for Damen and Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson at Napier Port main office. Napier Port is currently developing a sixth wharf which, at 350 metres long, will be capable of handling the larger vessels that are expected to access the port in the near future. As a key transport hub for the Hawke’s Bay region of the North Island, the port already hosts a wide range of vessels including container ships, cruise ships, cargo and timber carriers. The ATD Tug 2412 Kaweka will join two existing Voith-type tugs at the port; the Te Mata and Ahuriri. Tractor tugs work best at Napier Port due to their ability to operate effectively in a swell, to tow indirectly, and their manoeuvrability, the last particularly important due to the tight berthing arrangements in the harbour. Just 24-metres in length but with 72 tonnes of bollard pull, the ATD Tug 2412 delivers just the combination of power but compactness that the Napier Port management team is seeking.

ABP announces that it will be welcoming the Royal Navy’s HMS Grimsby, into the Port of Grimsby on Sunday 15th September. For one day only, HMS Grimsby will be lowering her gangway at ABP's port and allowing the public to come aboard to learn about the important work the Royal Navy does in protecting the UK, as well as the host of other roles it performs across the world. The vessel will open for public viewing between the hours of 12.00 – 16.00 for one day only, at The Port of Grimsby, Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby DN31 3LL.

The KNRM in Urk and the fire brigade were alerted in the afternoon of Dec 4, 2019, after the 'Sir Winston' (ENI-No.: 02311506) had suffered water ingress on the Ketel Sea near Schokkerhaven in Noordoostpolder. There was a leak in the engine room, but fortunately the water did not enter quickly. A salvage company helped to pump the water out again. The fire brigade did not have to take action anymore. The ship carried no passengers at that time and only had two crew members on board. Dutch report with photo: https://www.omroepflevoland.nl/nieuws/176388/passagiersschip-zonder-passagiers-maakt-water

The 'Sean Og 2' with a crew of five on board suffered a broken shaft in position 56 52 00.0 N, 008 02 00.0 W, 18 miles West of Barra on Dec 4, 2019, at 12.35 a.m. The Stornoway Coastguard tasked the Barra lifeboat to attend the vessel. It was taken in tow and pulled into Castleway Harbour.

On the 9th of September 2019 the work for the contract “Dredging Het Nieuwe Diep”, commissioned by the Port of Den Helder, has started. Dutch Dredging is expected to carry out the remediation of 200,000 m3 of partially contaminated spoil until mid-December. The survey vessel “Hydrograaf” started the pre-dredge survey on the 9th of September, a so-called “baseline measurement” of the work. The work will then be carried out in 3 phases. In Phase 1, a bed leveller equipped with a so called dirt-plough will be employed. This is due to the fact that the top layer of silt contains a considerable amount of soil-foreign material. The specifically developed dirt-plough consists of long thin spikes that sink through the layer of silt and rake the dirt from the soil. The dirt will be ploughed to free locations where it can be dredged by means of a grab dredger and will be discharged into skips on the quay for removal and disposal. In the Phase 2, a bed leveller, trailing suction hopper dredger and a grab dredger will subsequently commence with the dredging works to the north and south of the Moorman bridge. They will restore the required depth. During Phase 3 the contaminated sediment will be removed. This phase is carried out by a grab dredger and several hopperbarges. The dredged material will be loaded in to the barges, which will transport the sediment to a depository for polluted sediment.

The fire in the engine room of the crude oil tanker Dubai Harmony moored at the Sture terminal in Øygarden municipality has now been extinguished, Equinor said in its release. At 1102 this morning, Equinor's alarm centre received reports of a fire in the engine room on board Dubai Harmony, which was loading at the quay at the Sture terminal. The fire has now been extinguished and the fire service is continuing to cool the area where the fire took place. The 102 people who were at the Sture terminal were evacuated from the terminal when the incident occurred as a precaution, while only personnel with emergency tasks remained at the terminal. The emergency organisation in Equinor will maintain dialogue with the public rescue service and other relevant authorities.