News

The C&I Leasing Plc has confirmed the release of the "Charis" which was hijacked by sea pirates in Equatorial Guinea, while also commending the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for the swift intervention and timely release of its vessel. According to the Managing Director C&I Leasing the tug was on its way to execute a recovery contract in Equatorial Guinea, when it was hijacked. The pirates attempted to use the ship to attack another vessel, the "Blue Marlin", before they were arrested by the authorities of Equatorial Guinea, which detained both vessels. The tug was released on May 29, after a series of interrogation and negotiations with the support of NIMASA representatives, Ambassador Gongulong, Navy Captain, and the Spanish Navy. The ship sailed on May 31 following inspections and repairs.

The Malaysian flagged barge "Sinar Jaya 2912", while being towed by the "Asia Jaya 28", was boarded by an unknown number of perpetrators on May 30, 2019, at 10.30 p.m. in position 01 13 25 N, 103 32 45 E, in the westbound lane of the Singapore Strait. They stole several tools from the barge and escaped in a small craft. The master of the tug reported the incident to the Singapore authorities.

Greenpeace activists have enntered the "Paul B. Loyd, Jr." which was chartered by BP to drill for oil in the North Sea off Scotland. Greenpeace feared that continued oil exploration will mean that the climate goals of the Paris Agreement will not be met. Two Greenpeace activists were on board and planned to continue their protest until BP abandons carrying out exploration wells off Scotland. "We share the activists' concern about the climate and we fully support the objectives of the Paris Agreement. We recognize the right to peaceful protest, but we believe that the activists act irresponsibly and put themselves and others at risk", BP commented. BP was in contact with the UK authorities to resolve the situation. The oil company has chartered the drilling rig until November, with the possibility of further extension. Danish report with video: https://maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=41133

The pirates who abducted the six crew members from the "Apecus",have directly contacted the family of the hostages after holding them for about a month, on May 20. A family member of one of the six seafarers was contacted, and was spoken t by four of the seafarers. A ransom of one million US dollars has been demanded but the proposed mode of transaction has not yet been disclosed. The pirates had stated that the shipowners, or the Indian Embassy in Nigeria, have not approached them yet. However, the Indian High Commission has claimed to be doing everything they could to rescue the kidnapped members, with the support of the Nigerian Government.

A 45 year old Turkish stowaway started a fire on the "MSC Canberra" in the morning of June 9, 2019. Israeli naval forces were dispatched to the ship which was moored off the coast in pos. 32° 53.97' N 034° 59.55' E after it received a report at 3 a.m. The man was apparently trying to get to Europe. He had stowed away on the ship at a port in Turkey hoping to hitch a ride to Europe.As the vessel approached Israel, the man realized he was in the wrong location and then apparently started a fire as a diversion while he hid from the crew to avoid being handed over to Israeli authorities. He already had succeeded in illegally entering Israel in the past, several years ago. He was discovered and returned home on that occasion. The crew locked themselves on the bridge until the alerted Israel Navy arrived. The situation was brought under control. The ship had sailed from Mersin and was bound to Haifa where it berthed on June 10. The captured man was brought to Haifa Magistrate’s Court but the hearing was canceled after authorities decided to just send him back to Turkey. Reports with photo and video: https://www.soefart.dk/article/view/665004 https://www.timesofisrael.com/turkish-stowaway-who-prompted-idf-raid-on-ship-said-to-be-trying-to-reach-europe//medie_blind_passager_startede_brand_pa_mscskib