On June 6 the 'Abeille Normandie' was on its first day of alert in Boulogne. Chartered by the French Navy, it can sail at any time in less than 40 minutes. Its main mission is to intervene on a merchant ship in difficulty, at the request of the maritime operations center of the maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea. The tug is set up to ensure the safety of commercial traffic transiting in the Channel, in particular between Pas de Calais and the Casquets. The maritime assistance system for vessels in difficulty also includes the 'Abeille Liberté', based in Cherbourg. The 'Abeille Normandie' replaced the 'Abeille Languedoc', which provided this function for more than 40 years in the Atlantic and the English Channel. The 'Abeille Normandie' is based in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Built in 2010, it was acquired by Abeilles International in 2021 and rebuilt at TKMS/GNY in Kiel. Report with photo: https://www.premar-manche.gouv.fr/communiques-presse/le-rias-abeille-normandie-assure-son-premier-jour-d-alerte-a-boulogne-sur-mer-62
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NORTHUMBERLAND
The 'Fanafjord' got back its original name on March 14. The ship has remained stationary in Haugesund since Dec 20, 2021. She has been put up for sale and was due to be moved to Molde on March 21.
SINGA
The 'Zenith' won’t be sailing its previously announced cruise schedule for Peace Boat Organization due to a change in contract with the owner company. The ship was set to sail a series of long cruises starting in August 2022. The program comprised three-month around the world itineraries departing from Japan, in addition to a 59-night voyage to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Guests who booked the cruises abord the vessel were being contacted by their travel agents. Previously operated by Pullmantur Cruceros, the Zenith was moved to Peace Boat in 2020. After a refit, the vessel was set to launch service for its new operator in April 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, put plans on hold. Zjr ship has been laid-up in the port of Lavrio since July 2020.
BIA
Singapore’s FSL Trust Management has commenced legal proceedings against the charterer Golden Stena Baycrest Tankers of the 'FSL London', currently held up in India. The ship was agreed for sale last year to the Singapore-listed Indonesian owner Samudera Shipping. However, the deal fell through due to delivery schedule delays caused by a customs probe into cargo specifications. FSL said that the investigations were still ongoing and the vessel is still held by the local customs authorities in Kandla, pending the outcome of the investigations. The company has moved to claim damages for the delays caused by the carriage of the particular cargo loaded by the charterer and destined for India, the attendant investigations of the cargo, and the vessel being held. There were no proceedings against the vessel or FSL.
