The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stated that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) that owned the #MSC Elsa 3# was expected to clarify on the contents of the hazardous cargo in the 13 of the 640 containers. An order dated May 27, issued by the Principal Bench of the tribunal in New Delhi pointed out that there were chances of serious impact to the marine and coastal environment affecting the biodiversity and water quality of the area as the sunken ship was carrying hazardous materials such as calcium carbide, oil and other undisclosed items. the incident violated the provisions under the Biodiversity Act, 2002; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The order was issued after the tribunal took suo motu cognisance of the report titled Containers from sunken ship likely to drift towards Alappuzha, Kollam Coasts in 48 hours: INCOIS published in The Hindu. On account of wave, wind and current actions of the waters, these pollutants can travel to other coastal parts of the country, including Lakshadweep islands, affecting them. The impact on the Lakshadweep island will be severe as the island coastal water has high bio-diversity with corals. The Bench has asked the Member Secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board, Lakshadweep Pollution Control Committee, Kerala State Pollution Control Board; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Director General, Indian Coast Guard: and Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to submit their responses on the shipwreck one week before the next hearing on July 30. An expert team from Gujarat recovered a container that was washed ashore in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, on May 31. The container washed ashore at Vaniyakudi fishing village, about one km from Colachel. It was hauled up onto the shore by a team from Gujarat which also included experts from the Marine Engineering Resources Centre, Porbandar, and those from district fisheries department officials.
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KOLA
The "Kola" broke down in May 2025 on its way to the Mediterranean. The ship was moored off Al Hoceima until May 22. Now it has to be towed back through the Baltic Sea to Kaliningrad. For days, NATO and German Federal Police units have been observing the Russian tug "Yevgeniy Churov" (IMO: 8406640), transiting the North Sea towards the Skagerrak at nine knots, and then on June 1 past Fehmarn and through the Kadet Trench into the Baltic Sea. The "Kola" was originally intended to supply Russian Navy units in the Mediterranean. Built in 1967, the "Kola" is one of the oldest active naval tankers in the world. Stationed in Kaliningrad with the Baltic Fleet, the ship, after 58 years of service, still serves the Russian Navy as a supply ship in Europe and the Mediterranean.
GUARDAMAR POLIMNIA
Salvamento Marítimo rescued 44 people aboard a small boat, which was sailing approximately 50 nautical miles off Lanzarote, on June 1. At around 7:00 a.m., the MRCC in Las Palmas received a phone call with a position at sea, with no other information. Later, another call indicated that it was a small boat, close to a ship. The 'Guardamar Polimnia' was moblilized, which shortly afterward received confirmation of the sighting of the small boat, 50 miles off Lanzarote, from the m/v 'Hyperion Ray,' which escorted it until the lifeboat arrived. Minutes before 11 a.m. its crew spotted the boat and proceeded minutes later to rescue the 44 people on board, all of them of sub-Saharan African origin and in apparent good health. The vessel arrived in Arrecife, at around 1:30 p.m.
NORWEGIAN EPIC
On May 30, 2025, at midday, the 'Norwegian Epic' broke away from the pier in Catania in strong winds. At the time of the accident, gusts of wind with speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour swept across the harbour. The sudden movement of the ship caused a woman to fall from the gangway into the water. Her husband immediately jumped after her, suffering a slight graze on his right leg. Both were promptly recovered by the crew present on the dock and entrusted to the paramedics, who transported them to the Garibaldi hospital for checks. The ship, pushed by the wind, leaned with its starboard side against the port side of the 'Northstar Glory', regularly moored at berth number 7. The impact caused no serious damage to the vessels. The port authority intervened immediately, mobilizing the 'CP 888' and 'CP B169' of the Coastguard, the fire brigade's vessels, the police jet skis and the technical-nautical services. The operations focused on containing the situation, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of passengers and personnel on the dock. The pier suffered visible damage. Three bollards to which the ship was moored broke loose. Concrete slabs have shifted, and a crack ran along the edge. The area around the bollard was visibly damaged. Port operations were temporarily slowed to allow for safety checks and structural inspections at the pier. The 'Norwegian Epic' initially left the port with tug assistance after the incident and anchored off the coast of Catania. It did not return until the evening to pick up the passengers who had remained ashore. There were chaotic scenes as hundreds of people reboarded. The 'Norwegian Epic' was in the midst a 10-night round-trip sailing from Rome with scheduled stops in Naples, Florence and Cannes. Reports with photos and video: https://www.ilmeteo.it/notizie/catania-nave-da-crociera-rompe-gli-ormeggi-due-turisti-in-mare-paura-al-porto-145039 https://www.tgcom24.mediaset.it/cronaca/catania-nave-rompe-ormeggi-turisti-salvati_98898105-202502k.shtml https://www.cataniatoday.it/cronaca/nave-crociera-rompe-ormeggi-porto-catania-feriti.html https://www.ragusaoggi.it/disastro-al-porto-nave-da-crociera-rompe-gli-ormeggi-passeggeri-finiscono-in-mare-a-catania-troppo-vento-alcuni-aerei-dirottati-a-comiso/ https://crew-center.com/norwegian-epic-breaks-free-moorings-italy-leaving-passengers-stranded
OEVELGOENNE
The public prosecutor's office is investigating misconduct by the captain of the 'Övelgönne' after the collision with a barge of the 'Hansa' on the Elbe River in Hamburg on Jan 20. She is accused of negotiating the right of way with the other ship while crossing the fairway. The captain is being investigated on suspicion of endangering shipping traffic in conjunction with negligent bodily harm in several cases. Whether charges will be filed remains unclear, as the public prosecutor's office has not yet made a final decision.