A Brazilian-flagged bulk carrier, the FORTE DE SÃO FELIPE, has been grounded since Saturday morning in a privately-owned canal leading to the port of the Alumar company in São Luís, Maranhão. Departing from the Port of Juruti in Pará, the 229-meter-long vessel encountered trouble en route to its destination. Tugboats have been attempting to refloat the ship since Saturday, with another attempt scheduled soon. The Maranhão Harbor Master’s Office dispatched a team to the site to ensure navigation safety and prevent pollution. The crew is reportedly in good condition. While there's no immediate risk of cargo leaks or structural damage, a 'Notice to Mariners' has been issued, cautioning vessels in the area. An inquiry will be conducted by port authorities to ascertain the cause and responsibility for the incident. As per the latest AIS update, the vessel is still grounded on feb 19, 2024. Credit: instagram.com/salvage_and_wreck      

Yemen rebels claim latest Red Sea vessel strike Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacking the oil tanker M/T Pollux with missiles, as confirmed by U.S. officials. The vessel, carrying crude oil bound for India, was hit on its port side while navigating the Red Sea. The incident adds to a series of Houthi drone and missile attacks on international shipping since mid-November, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians amid conflict with Israel. M/T Pollux departed from Russia's Novorossiysk on Jan. 24, bound for Paradip, India. The Houthi spokesperson affirmed the accuracy of the strikes on the British-owned vessel, escalating tensions in the region.  

MMEA rescues eight crew members off Bintulu after vessel capsized | Malay Mail Eight Indonesian crew members of the Bos Azlina vessel were successfully rescued after their ship capsized approximately nine nautical miles northwest of Kuala Kemena off Bintulu on Wednesday Captain Mohd Iszuadi Muhamad Hassan, director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Maritime Zone, stated that the crew, aged between 31 and 48, issued a distress signal, prompting the deployment of Bot Kilat 44 to the location. The vessel was reported to be half submerged with all crew members still onboard when the rescue operation commenced. The crew was rescued with the assistance of a "water taxi" and monitored by Maritime Malaysia. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, and the vessel agent has been notified to provide assistance to the victims.   Maritime authorities advised caution, especially during the northeast monsoon, and urged the maritime community to prioritize safety by wearing life jackets.  

Search Underway After Shadowy Turkish Cargo Ship Sinks South of Istanbul Turkish authorities have launched a vigorous search and rescue operation following a distress call from the Bathuhan A, a small cargo vessel, in the Sea of Marmara. The vessel, with a capacity of 1,000 deadweight tons, was operating domestically, departing from Badalalan port en route to Gemlik with 1,250 tons of dolomite. Amidst heavy weather conditions including waves reaching up to 10 feet, wind, and rain, the vessel encountered distress, prompting a distress signal. Governor Mahmut Demirtas of Bursa confirmed efforts to rescue the six Turkish crew members. The operation involves 275 personnel, including a Coast Guard corvette, patrol boats, and Naval assets.   Despite initial challenges due to adverse weather, search teams located an empty inflatable life raft and a life preserver bearing the ship's name. The vessel, built in 1971 and operating outside international regulations, had a prior grounding incident in April 2021. Its classification with the Dromon Bureau of Shipping was withdrawn in 2015, with no port state inspections since 2001, citing 17 deficiencies.   Bu sabah 06.30’da Marmara Denizi’nde, Bursa Karacabey açıklarında içerisinde 6 mürettebat bulunan Batuhan A isimli bir ticari geminin ağır hava ve deniz şartları nedeniyle batmaya başladığı bilgisinin alınmıştır. Olay mahalline derhal 2 Sahil Güvenlik Gemisi ve 2 Sahil Güvenlik… pic.twitter.com/E49wxcwMQF — Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) February 15, 2024

11 Crew Members Rescued from Submerged Cargo Ship off Jeju Island Coast - News Directory 3 In a harrowing maritime incident off the shores of Seogwipo, Jeju Island, a cargo vessel, identified as the 1,959-ton Keum Yang 6, faced a perilous flooding scenario en route from Gwangyang Port in Korea to China, laden with a cargo of steel. Prompted by a distress call received on 15th Feb, at 9:55 p.m., the Jeju Coast Guard swiftly initiated a comprehensive rescue operation to aid the 11 crew members aboard the sinking ship.  Responding to the urgent situation, a 5,000-ton Coast Guard patrol vessel was expeditiously dispatched and reached the scene at 11:52 p.m. Despite encountering the vessel tilted at a precarious angle exceeding 25 degrees to the port side, the Coast Guard commenced the arduous task of evacuating the crew members from the inundated vessel. By 1:30 a.m., all 11 crew members had been successfully rescued from the stricken vessel, with only minor injuries reported. Authorities are currently conducting investigations into the cause of the flooding while simultaneously engaging in discussions with the ship's operators to determine salvage efforts for the compromised vessel.  

Diana Shipping Orders Two Methanol Dual-Fuel Bulkers Greek shipowner Diana Shipping has ordered two new methanol dual-fuel Kamsarmax bulk carriers from China's Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding Inc. The 81,200 dwt vessels were purchased at $46 million each and are slated for delivery by the second half of 2027 and the first half of 2028, respectively. Designed to operate on methanol or fuel oil interchangeably, they meet energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards outlined in the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 and comply with NOx emissions regulations (NOx-Tier III) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Powered by green methanol, the ships will emit near-zero GHG emissions. Diana Shipping's fleet will comprise 39 dry bulk vessels, including the two newbuilds, once the sale of Artemis is completed.  

Sumitomo Heavy exits commercial shipbuilding - Splash247 Japanese shipyard Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering, renowned for its aframax tankers, will halt new orders for commercial vessels after fulfilling its existing backlog. Despite efforts to sustain the shipbuilding business, including order limitations and system reforms, parent company Sumitomo Heavy Industries cited difficulty amidst fierce competition from Chinese and South Korean shipyards. The decision reflects anticipated challenges such as rising material prices and intense competition. However, the company will continue after-sales service and ship repair operations while focusing on advancing offshore wind foundation commercialization. Sumitomo's shipbuilding legacy, dating back to 1879, will transition as it navigates the evolving maritime landscape.

Carnival Corporation Orders First Newbuild in Five Years Carnival Corporation, the world’s leading cruise company, has announced its first newbuild order since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company signed a contract with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for a fourth Excel-class cruise ship for its Carnival Cruise Line brand. Anticipated to join the fleet in Spring 2027, the 180,000-ton vessel will be the 10th Excel-class ship across four of the corporation’s brands. It will join Carnival Cruise Line’s current Excel-class vessels, accommodating over 6,400 guests and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Carnival Corporation & plc, operating more than 90 ships across 9 brands, plans to add eight new ships by 2025. The new order marks the first in five years for Carnival Corporation, following a reported strong start to the peak booking season and record bookings for 2024, with pricing and occupancy surpassing 2023 levels.  

Ship runs aground off Capul, Northern Samar; over 40 evacuated Over 40 passengers were evacuated safely from the MV Reina Hosanna, which ran aground in Capul town, Philippines. The vessel experienced engine failure while en route from Matnog, Sorsogon to Allen, Northern Samar. Despite attempts to tow the distressed vessel, it ran aground due to strong currents. Rescue operations began at 1 a.m. on February 12, 2024, with assistance from various agencies. While passengers were taken to the Capul Evacuation Center, 29 drivers remained onboard to look after their vehicles. No injuries were reported, and there was no water penetration observed aboard the stranded ship.    

Vessel reports missile strike off Yemen's coast, Houthis claim attack - World News In the latest attack by Houthi militants, the 20-year-old panamax bulk carrier, Star Iris, belonging to NASDAQ-listed Star Bulk, was targeted twice by missiles while traversing the Bab al Mandab strait. AIS data revealed the ship's departure from Brazil's Vila do Conde port on January 12 en route to Bandar Imam Khomeini port in Iran. Maritime security experts confirmed damage to the vessel's starboard side, although no crew injuries were reported. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, labeling it as accurate and direct. This marks the 51st attack on merchant ships since November, following the Houthis' alignment with Palestinians in their conflict against Israel. Notably, another Star Bulk vessel, the Star Nasia kamsarmax, suffered minor damage from a missile strike earlier. Arsenio Dominguez of the International Maritime Organization urged a multifaceted approach to resolve the Red Sea shipping crisis.   UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 029 Update 001 #MarSec pic.twitter.com/DqP9vcptKg — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) February 12, 2024

Syrup ship runs aground near Silloth harbour for second time - BBC News On February 10, 2024, the Belize-registered tanker ZAPADNYY ran aground at the mouth of Silloth harbour in Cumbria. Departing from Bremen, Germany, the 77-meter-long vessel encountered difficulties during the afternoon. Local photographer Matt, from MJ Images, captured the scene, which marked the second time ZAPADNYY faced trouble at Silloth, following a previous incident in 2016. Prompt action by local authorities initiated efforts to refloat the vessel, resulting in success during high tide later that day. The incident prompted authorities to assess the situation to determine the necessary actions in response to the grounding, ensuring the safety of the vessel and mitigating any potential environmental impact. Efforts are underway to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure the continued safe navigation of vessels in the area.  

Eight sailors rescued in Dubai after collision with cargo ship In a nighttime operation, Dubai Police's Ports Police Station and Air Wing Centre successfully rescued eight sailors from a fishing boat collision with a cargo ship. Three injured crew members were airlifted to Rashid Hospital. The incident occurred near Dubai's fish market waterfront, causing the fishing vessel to break apart. Marine rescue teams swiftly evacuated the remaining five sailors. Brigadier Dr. Hassan Suhail Al Suwaidi warned sea-goers to heed weather alerts, emphasizing the risks of neglecting them. He urged captains to register for the "Sail Safely" service on the Dubai Police app, facilitating emergency assistance and location tracking.     #News | Dubai Police Rescue 8 Sailors Following Collision with Cargo Ship Details: pic.twitter.com/zhrh5epyBc — Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) February 11, 2024

HTML div A maritime mystery unfolded off the coast of Tobago as an overturned vessel, wreaked havoc near Canoe Bay. The incident has raised alarms about potential environmental damage, particularly to the island's lesser-known Flying Coral Reef.  Authorities from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) have classified the disaster as a tier-three event, drawing international attention amid preparations for the upcoming Carnival celebrations. Efforts to contain the situation are underway, with cleanup operations launched to address the oil-like substance leaking from the wreckage.  According to Allan Stewart, Director of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), the vessel, measuring approximately 330 feet, may have been carrying lumber and sand. Samples of the leaked substance have been collected for testing by the Environmental Management Authority.  THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine expressed concern over the impact on marine life and called for urgent discussions on maritime security. Coast Guard officers have been hindered in their efforts to assess the vessel's surroundings due to safety concerns, but authorities are nearing identification of the vessel.   As the situation evolves, there are growing calls for international assistance to mitigate the unfolding environmental crisis.  

On February 9, 2024, the fishing vessel María Reina Madre sank near Pasaia, with all 14 crew members safely evacuated. Despite efforts to prevent its sinking and tow it to safety, the vessel succumbed to the sea in French territorial waters. Salvamento Marítimo footage captured the vessel initially listing to starboard before rapidly sinking within minutes. The vessel, initially believed salvageable, submerged around 2:30 p.m., nearly six hours after a water leak was detected. The incident occurred ten miles off Pasaia’s Port, prompting the Río Sella patrol boat to monitor the vessel while the María de Maeztu from Maritime Rescue was mobilized for assistance. All crew members, except the captain who awaited rescue onboard, were transferred ashore. The Rescue Coordination Center reported that a breach in the engine room caused the stern to sink. Image for reference purposes only             View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Salvage and wreck (@salvage_and_wreck)

Dropped propeller strands tanker Bougainville - Daily Cargo News A gas tanker, the Bougainville, encountered a significant setback off the Victorian coast when it lost its propeller during pre-arrival engine testing near Hastings in Western Port. The Panama-flagged vessel, carrying approximately 1000 tonnes of propane gas, was left stranded near Phillip Island in Bass Strait awaiting emergency towage vessels. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed the incident and is working with the vessel's operator to arrange a safe tow to a repair facility. Despite the setback, AMSA assured that the vessel currently poses no risk to the community or marine environment. The cause of the propeller shaft failure is under investigation. The Bougainville, part of the Geogas Group's fleet, serves to distribute gas across East Coast Australia, PNG, NZ, and the Pacific Islands. It is managed by Geogas Trading SA of Geneva and registered to Sansha Shipping SA