On December 5, the cargo vessel MV ISA STAR encountered severe flooding in its engine room, prompting an urgent distress call. The crew reported an intention to abandon the ship, necessitating immediate intervention.In response, Operation Aspidis swiftly launched a rescue mission, dispatching a nearby vessel to provide aid. The operation successfully rescued all crew members, ensuring their safety amidst challenging conditions. The rescued seafarers are being transported to Djibouti, designated as the nearest secure port. This incident underscores the unwavering commitment to safeguarding seafarers' lives and upholding the principle of freedom on international waters. Operation Aspidis reaffirmed its dedication to these core values, emphasizing their pivotal role in maritime security efforts.Such coordinated operations highlight the importance of readiness and rapid response in mitigating risks to maritime safety, demonstrating international cooperation in protecting lives at sea.    

A fire occurred at the Nodosa Shipyard in Marín on Tuesday morning aboard the refrigerated vessel Izar Argia, which was undergoing repairs. The blaze, located in the ship’s cargo hold, was reported at approximately 10:45 a.m. to the emergency services. Thick, toxic smoke filled the area, making firefighting efforts challenging. Emergency teams, including firefighters were dispatched by the Provincial Firefighting Consortium of Pontevedra. They worked for several hours to bring the fire under control. Authorities suspect the fire was caused by a welding spark igniting insulation materials. Police, both National and Local, along with Civil Protection, also responded to the scene. Despite the intensity of the smoke, no injuries were reported. The situation was resolved after several hours of firefighters efforts.    

On December 2, 2024, the cargo vessel MALAYSIA STAR caught fire while navigating approximately 9.1 nautical miles off Tanjung Laboh, Batu Pahat, Johor. The vessel, which was en route to Kota Kinabalu, was carrying 19 crew members, including one Malaysian and 18 Filipinos.The Batu Pahat Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander, stated that the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) reported the incident at around 8:40 a.m. Responding promptly, two patrol boats from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and one from the Marine Police Force (PPM) were dispatched to the scene. All crew members were successfully evacuated without injury and transferred to a Malaysian Maritime patrol boat. They were later taken to the Batu Pahat Maritime Zone Jetty for further assistance.Efforts to extinguish the blaze are ongoing, as the fire is located near the vessel’s oil tank, presenting a significant challenge. Authorities have confirmed that no oil spills have occurred, averting potential environmental damage.Continuous monitoring of the situation is being conducted by the MMEA to ensure maritime safety and environmental protection while fire suppression efforts continue.    

A collision occurred between the vessels Gloria Maris and HMM St. Petersburg early on 3 December, approximately 8.9 miles southeast of Algeciras. The incident was reported at 5:20 a.m. by the Rescue Coordination Centre (CCS) in Tarifa, prompting immediate inspection by the respective crews. Both vessels sustained damage to their lateral structures; however, no risk of sinking or environmental contamination was identified. The Gloria Maris, traveling in ballast (without cargo), had departed Cartagena on 30 November at 2:00 a.m., heading for Gibraltar. Prior to its departure, the vessel had unloaded 147,564 tonnes of crude oil at the port of Cartagena. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure maritime safety and environmental protection. No injuries or major disruptions have been reported, and the vessels remain stable despite the collision. Investigations into the cause of the incident are underway.    

On November 28, 2024, the vessel KM JML ABADI conducted hydraulic repairs on hatch 3 starting at 9:00 AM WIB, which were completed by noon. Subsequently, an  operation was performed at 12:48 PM as part of docking preparations.At approximately 1:00 PM WIB, an explosion occurred on the starboard Main Deck. It was later determined that a foreman, had been welding the elbow of a ventilation pipe without prior coordination. The incident resulted in a crew member falling overboard, prompting an immediate response from the crew. Life buoys and jackets were deployed to aid the individual. The ship promptly reported the incident to Vessel Traffic Services, piloting authorities, and nearby vessels for assistance. A right-hand maneuver was executed to locate the victim, with additional support provided by nearby fishing boats. At 1:20 PM, the victim was successfully rescued by a fishing boat and transported to the nearest hospital for medical attention.After confirming that conditions aboard were secure, the ship entered standby mode to anchor. At 2:25 PM, the left anchor was deployed, and by 2:30 PM, the vessel's engines were officially shut down.    

On November 27, the bulk carrier Anglo Marie Louise experienced an explosion in one of its cargo holds while positioned approximately 150 nautical miles east of the North Carolina coastline. The blast caused damage to the vessel’s No.1 and No.2 cargo hatches.Despite the incident, the vessel remains seaworthy and is making its way to Chesapeake Bay, USA, under its own power. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance in bulk carrier operations and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining safety at sea.

On November 24, 2024, the container vessel GSL CHLOE  encountered a fire in its engine room while entering Beilun Port, China. The crew swiftly extinguished the blaze, preventing escalation, but the incident necessitated additional support to manage the vessel’s movements. Several tugboats were deployed to assist the ship in relocating to the Beilun inner harbor anchorage, ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions in the port area. The quick response by the crew and port authorities averted a more serious incident, although the fire briefly raised concerns over operational safety at the busy port.    

On November 23, the 100-meter cargo vessel VSG Glory ran aground near El Quseir, approximately 140 kilometers north of Marsa Alam, after colliding with a reef due to strong winds, high waves, and a reported technical malfunction. The ship, en route from Yemen to Port Tawfiq in Suez, struck the beach in front of the Mövenpick Resort, causing significant environmental and structural damage. The collision severely impacted the coral reefs and fractured the ship's hull, leading to an oil leak from the engine room and causing the vessel to tilt. Efforts to contain the spillage using 200 meters of rubber barriers and 100 meters of oil-absorbent booms faced challenges as high winds and rough seas disrupted the protective measures. Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, visited the site to evaluate the damage and announced the development of an action plan to clean the coral reef and prevent additional harm. The incident underscores the vulnerability of coastal ecosystems to maritime accidents.      

A cargo ship, the Tim S. Dool, ran aground in the St. Lawrence River on Saturday afternoon, east of Morrisburg, Ontario, in U.S. waters. The incident occurred around 12:30 PM when the 225-meter lake freighter became stuck.The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation confirmed that no injuries were reported, and there has been no pollution or material leakage into the river. The ship remains stable and outside the main navigation channel, ensuring minimal disruption to other vessels. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the grounding, examining factors such as weather conditions, mechanical performance, and navigational protocols.Efforts are underway to monitor the vessel and maintain safety in the surrounding area. With no immediate environmental threats, the situation is being managed effectively as authorities work toward resolving the incident and preventing further impact on river operations.          

·                  Full Agency for all Types/Sizes of Vessels. ·                  Suez Canal Transit’s Experts.   ·                  Agents for Vessels Transiting the Suez Canal. ·                  Owners Protective Agents (OPA) & Agents for Husbandry Matters (Suez Canal Transits & Port Calls). ·                  Attending Crew Changes (Sign On / Sign Off / Visas / Hotels / Air Tickets / Shore Passes / Etc...). ·                  Attending Security Team Services (Embarkation & Disembarkation). ·                  Attending Parcels & Spare Parts (Clearance & Delivery). ·                  Arranging Fresh Water Supply. ·                  Attending Cash Delivery. ·                  Arranging Provisions & Bonded Store Supply. ·                  Arranging Wastes Offloading / Garbage Collection / Sludge Removal / Slop. ·                  Arranging Medical Assistance (Doctor Attendance & Medicines).

A maritime incident occurred on November 11 near the Port of Gresik, Indonesia, involving the SDM Taicang, a wood chips carrier with a deadweight tonnage of 64,000. The vessel reportedly suffered a control system blackout, leading to a loss of maneuverability. As a result, it collided with two anchored tankers in the vicinity. The collision raised immediate concerns, but no injuries were reported among the crew members or personnel on the affected vessels.Both the SDM Taicang and the tankers involved sustained unspecified damage. Efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage and determine necessary follow-up measures to ensure navigational safety in the area.    

The passenger/vehicle ferry Andreas Kalvos has been prohibited from sailing as of Sunday, November 17, 2024, following a collision at the port of Sami in Kefalonia during docking maneuvers. Authorities imposed the ban to ensure safety and facilitate an investigation into the incident. The ferry, which was operating on the Patras-Sami-Ithaca-Sami route, was carrying 157 passengers, 32 private vehicles, 3 trucks, 3 buses, and a crew of 33 at the time of the collision. No injuries have been reported, and all passengers and crew remain safe. Arrangements are being made to transport the 36 passengers destined for Ithaca to their final destination under the supervision of the operating company. The weather conditions in the region have been reported as favorable and did not contribute to the incident. Efforts to assess and address the situation are ongoing, with port operations continuing without further disruption.        

A maritime incident occurred at Sunda Kelapa Port on Thursday, at approximately 8:30 a.m. WIB, involving the General Cargo ship KM. Indah Fajar. The vessel developed a leak while preparing to relocate from East Kade Baru to Kade 06S, initially tilting to the left at an angle of 10° to 15°. However, stabilization efforts caused the vessel to shift its tilt to the right at a 10° angle. Response teams, including personnel from IPC (Indonesia Port Corporation), are actively managing the situation. To mitigate environmental risks, oil booms from IPC Tanjung Priok have been deployed to prevent potential oil spills. Additionally, cargo is being offloaded from the ship's deck to reduce the strain and stabilize the vessel. The West Region Regional Disaster Center (RDC) has been monitoring and coordinating the ongoing recovery efforts. Although the cause of the leak remains under investigation, immediate measures are being prioritized to secure the vessel and ensure port operations are minimally impacted. The ship remains tilted to the right, with no reported injuries or significant environmental damage as of the latest update. Authorities are working diligently to restore normalcy while safeguarding the surrounding marine environment.    

A 114-meter-long tanker, NAZAN, encountered a steering malfunction on its journey from Russia to Kocaeli while transiting the Istanbul Strait near Kandilli on 17 November. The incident necessitated swift intervention to ensure safety and restore navigational operations in the critical waterway.The Directorate General of Coastal Safety of Turkey (KEGM) promptly coordinated the rescue operation. Tugboats, along with a pilot on board, were dispatched under the direction of the Istanbul Vessel Traffic Services Center to guide the disabled vessel to the Ahırkapı Anchorage Area. The operation aimed to prevent further disruption and ensure secure handling of the situation. The malfunction led to a temporary suspension of vessel traffic in both directions along the strait. As one of the world's most vital maritime routes, the Istanbul Strait is prone to such incidents, highlighting the importance of quick response measures to maintain safety and operational continuity.Following the successful relocation of NAZAN, authorities confirmed the restoration of traffic flow through the strait. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by maritime operators and the critical role of advanced traffic management systems in mitigating risks and maintaining seamless passage for vessels.              

The Norwegian-flagged bulk carrier Spar Indus, spanning 199 meters in length, ran aground at 01:09 on November 13, 3.5 nautical miles southeast of Punta Cochinos, Santa María Island. The vessel was navigating the Gulf of Arauco via Boca Chica en route to Cabo Froward Port, Coronel, to unload bulk cargo after departing from Santos, Brazil. Its 21-member crew is reported to be in good health. The Talcahuano Maritime Authority promptly activated emergency protocols, deploying the General Service Boat Talcahuano, Patrol Boat 2504, hull inspection divers, naval construction experts, and advanced surveillance tools such as drones and ROVs. This coordinated effort aimed to evaluate the vessel’s condition, oversee refloating procedures, and investigate the incident’s causes. Inspections revealed no structural damage to the vessel or environmental risks, such as oil spills. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, ensuring maritime safety and environmental protection.