A fire incident has been reported aboard a 107-meter-long dry cargo ship, AK DISCOVERY, in the Dardanelles Strait, according to the Turkish Directorate General of Coastal Safety. The vessel, en route from Egypt to Bulgaria, experienced complications in its engine room, prompting the intervention of coastal safety teams and the temporary suspension of vessel traffic in both directions along the strategic waterway.   Yangın söndürme çalışmalarına başlanılmıştır. pic.twitter.com/Cs987RLaso — KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) April 25, 2024  Rescue efforts were swiftly mobilized, with tugboats KURTARMA-3, KURTARMA-13, and TÜRKELİ, along with a pilot and KIYEM-1 fast rescue boat, dispatched to the scene to assist the distressed vessel. Amidst the operation, one crew member, out of the total 14 on board, was safely evacuated due to injuries.Authorities continue to combat the fire, prioritizing the mitigation of the situation and the restoration of normalcy to maritime traffic in the Dardanelles Strait. The incident underscores the importance of swift and coordinated responses to ensure the safety and security of vessels navigating through vital waterways.  

Image credit: myshiptracking.com Last night, the Liberian-flagged kamsarmax bulk carrier, YM Pioneer, encountered grounding in the vicinity of Bahia Blanca port, Argentina. According to reports from Independent Ship Agents of Buenos Aires, the vessel, weighing 81,900 deadweight tons, currently obstructs the navigation channel, prompting the Coast Guard to impose traffic restrictions between buoy 11 and buoy 1. Initial efforts to dislodge the vessel during the morning's high tide proved unsuccessful. AIS data indicates that the tug Toconado is presently assisting in the operation. The upcoming high tide, anticipated in the afternoon local time, presents an opportunity for a renewed endeavor to free the 229-meter-long ship from its grounded position. Constructed in 2021, the vessel is owned by Japan's Yamamaru Kisen and operated by Anglo-Eastern. It was transporting a cargo of corn destined for Malaysia at the time of the incident.

A Greek-flagged product tanker, the Minerva Antonia, found itself grounded during departure from the İskenderun Global Terminal, sparking immediate action from maritime authorities to avert potential damage and environmental risks. The Turkish General Directorate of Maritime Affairs made an official statement concerning the incident involving the Minerva Antonia grounding.At 23:35 on April 23rd, 2024, the Minerva Antonia encountered grounding while maneuvering to leave the İskenderun Global Terminal. Fortunately, no reports of damage or sea pollution have surfaced thus far. Efforts are presently underway to formulate a strategy for the safe extraction of the vessel from its grounded position.  

A massive search effort is currently underway by Chinese officials for four missing crew members after a vessel collided with a bridge on the Xijian river and subsequently sank. Overnight rescue operations successfully retrieved seven of the 11 crew members aboard the vessel.The unidentified vessel, was transporting a significant cargo of 4,900 tonnes of rolled steel on the river route between Fuzhou and Heshan. The region has been grappling with severe rain conditions and flooding since the weekend, as reported by state media.  The vessel struck one of the pillars of the bridge at approximately 9:20 p.m. local time, resulting in flooding within its cargo hold. Despite efforts to ground the vessel, it succumbed to the river's depths around 11:40 p.m. The Xijian river is a major tributary of the Pearl River.An inspection of the bridge revealed abrasions along its pillar, prompting Chinese officials to impose traffic control measures on the river. Subsequently, the bridge is undergoing further safety evaluations. Preliminary assessments attribute the incident to improper vessel operation exacerbated by the adverse weather conditions and strong river currents. Investigations into the matter are ongoing as authorities endeavor to ascertain the full extent of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.  

The Suez Canal Authority has responded to a distress call from a small cargo ship, the Labatros, off the northern terminus of the canal. The vessel, registered in Tanzania and owned by a Lebanese company, lost stability this morning, April 23, prompting concerns of potential capsize. Managed by Egypt’s Assiut Agency, the Labatros, with a tonnage of 3,000 tons and a length of 308 feet (94 meters), was bound for the southern Egyptian port of Adabiya. مقتطفات لسفينة البضائع LABATROS بعد نجاح وحدات الإنقاذ البحري التابعة لهيئة قناة السويس في إنقاذها من الغرق الكامل .#suezcanal pic.twitter.com/Cu3zm5Wpes — هيئة قناة السويس Suez Canal Authority (@SuezAuthorityEG) April 23, 2024 Two Suez Canal tugs and another vessel were dispatched to aid the 12 crewmembers aboard. The ship was observed with an increasing list to starboard in the northern anchorage near Port Said, prior to joining the northern convoy for transit. Presently anchored near Port Said, the Labatros undergoes technical assessment by the Suez Canal Authority to determine the cause of the list and ensure crew safety, with ongoing monitoring for potential pollution.

Assembly work for China’s second large domestically-built cruise ship commenced on April 20 at the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding yard. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the ship's construction aims to streamline efficiency by 20% compared to its predecessor, the Adora Magic City. This project marks China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) continued advancement in cruise ship construction, following the success of the first domestically-built vessel, Adora Magic City, which entered service in January 2024. CSSC, in collaboration with Fincantieri, is enhancing the design and technology of the new cruise ship, expanding its length to 1,119 feet and accommodating 2,144 staterooms. The vessel will feature advanced environmental protection systems and desulfurization technology. The endeavor underscores China's ambition to compete with established European shipbuilders in the cruise industry. Adora Cruises, formerly a joint venture with Carnival Corporation, now operates independently, symbolizing China's growing presence in the global cruise market.  

In a recent maritime incident off the eastern coast of Sicily, a collision occurred involving two vessels, notably the Peter Doehle-managed containership EF Olivia and the Turkish-owned general cargo ship, Hayriye Ana.The EF Olivia, weighing 42,200 deadweight tons (dwt), was en route to the Italian port of Augusta. Constructed in 2006 and currently registered in Portugal, the vessel suffered a midships hull breach at or below the waterline. Conversely, the Hayriye Ana, an 8,300 dwt vessel registered in Liberia, was voyaging from Istanbul to A Coruna, Spain.   Collisione in mare a 14mn da #CapoPassero tra un cargo liberiano e una portacontainer portoghese. La #GuardiaCostiera ha inviato mezzi navali, un elicottero e un Atr42 per intervenire in caso di soccorso e monitoraggio ambientale. Le 2 unità navigano ora verso le coste siciliane. pic.twitter.com/23vfI18Xd7 — Guardia Costiera (@guardiacostiera) April 22, 2024 Following the collision, the Italian Coast Guard, or Guardia Costiera, swiftly dispatched a helicopter, airplane, and vessel to the area, commencing monitoring operations. Despite the incident, no pollution has been reported thus far. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation, with the extent of damages and potential implications for maritime safety subject to ongoing assessment.  

Turkey’s Ciner Shipping has expanded its bulk carrier orderbook with four kamsarmaxes, adding to its fleet of 24 vessels. The Istanbul-based company has inked a deal for 82,000 dwt scrubber-equipped units at Hengli Shipbuilding in Dalian. Deliveries are slated to commence from March 2027, with sources estimating a price tag of approximately $38 million per vessel. This move follows Ciner's recent order of ultramax vessels at New Dayang Shipyard, each priced at close to $34 million. With these additions, Ciner now has a total of 26 bulker newbuilding projects underway in China. The expansion of their fleet underscores Ciner's commitment to strengthening its presence in the global shipping market, particularly in the bulk carrier segment.  

A high-speed ferry, the Isola di Procida, encountered an incident upon arrival in Naples, resulting in multiple injuries among passengers. Initial reports indicated 44 passengers injured, with 29 hospitalized. One passenger, initially critical, was later upgraded to stable condition.Caremar, the shipping company, activated emergency protocols, with Italian authorities still assessing hundreds of passengers onboard. Investigations and interviews are underway. Departing from Capri, the Isola di Procida, a 1,900-ton ferry built in 1990, typically accommodates 620 passengers and 45 cars for its one-hour trip to Naples. Passengers reported windy conditions and waves up to 6.5 feet, attributing the incident to strong gusts while maneuvering into the dock. Over 100 healthcare personnel responded to treat injured passengers, amidst reports of challenging docking conditions due to strong winds. The vessel sustained damage, prompting an investigation by the Port of Naples Authority and the Coast Guard, focusing on possible mechanical failure, human error, or adverse weather conditions during docking.  

Ontario Shipyards, formerly known as Heddle Shipyards, has announced the closure of its Thunder Bay facility due to workforce shortages and sluggish market conditions. The decision follows the company's acquisition of Fabmar Metals in 2021 and its involvement in constructing blocks for Canada's Polar Icebreaker program under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Delays at Seaspan prompted the Canadian government to reopen bidding for the project, resulting in Quebec's Davie Shipyards securing a portion of the contract. Although the impact on Ontario Shipyards remains uncertain, the Thunder Bay site has been temporarily mothballed, with 15 workers laid off. However, the company's operations in Port Weller and Hamilton, Ontario, continue unaffected, with ongoing investments in equipment and workforce training. Ontario Shipyards remains poised to resume operations at Thunder Bay pending market conditions.    

Hanwha Ocean Co., the world's third-largest shipbuilder based on order backlog, announced on Wednesday its acquisition of a 176.4 billion-won (US$127 million) contract to construct a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier for an undisclosed American-based shipper.The vessels will be constructed at Hanwha Ocean's shipyard in Geoje, situated on the south coast of South Korea, with delivery slated for the first quarter of 2027, according to a regulatory filing by the company.  Throughout the current year, Hanwha Ocean has amassed orders totaling $3.39 billion, comprising the construction of 12 liquefied natural gas carriers, two very large crude carriers, two ammonia carriers, and one LPG carrier. This surpasses its $4.1 billion order intake for the entirety of 2023.Hanwha Ocean, formerly known as Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., transitioned into its current entity as the shipbuilding arm of the Hanwha Group conglomerate in May of the preceding year.  

A UK based leading Marine insurance and transit claim consultant has reported that the Chemical/Products Tanker, KEOYOUNG PIONEER, ran aground on reefs northwest of Kuchinoshima Island, Japan, on April 16, 2024. The vessel, built in 2006, sustained damage to its hull and is reportedly leaking fuel as a result of the grounding. The KEOYOUNG PIONEER, a South Korean flagged chemical tanker, is classified under the Chemical/Small 1 segment with an IMO number of 9355020, MMSI number 441656000, and callsign D7TI. The vessel has a summer deadweight of 3970 tonnes and was en route from Kemen, China, to Nagoya, Japan, when the incident occurred. Authorities are likely investigating the cause of the grounding and the extent of the damage. It is not yet known if there were any injuries or if the leak poses a significant environmental threat. This is a developing story, and further information will be reported as it becomes available.

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time, the Tanzanian-flagged livestock carrier DEALA became stranded at the entrance to Raša port in Croatia, as disclosed by the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure. The vessel, carrying 15 crew members of Egyptian nationality, remained unharmed during the incident, with no indications of sea pollution observed. Prompted by strong winds and apprehensions regarding the vessel's potential grounding, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) received a distress call from a tugboat shortly after 7 p.m. The Port Authority of Pula relayed information to the MRCC regarding the tugboat's dispatch from Raša to assist the vessel. Subsequently, the DEALA ran aground at approximately 7:30 p.m., situated approximately 40 meters from the shoreline and at a depth ranging between 2 and 5 meters. Tugboats have been positioned near the vessel since the onset of the incident, with salvage operations contingent upon weather conditions, as indicated by the ministry.

On the afternoon of April 15th, the cruise vessel Celestyal Journey experienced an incident while endeavoring to dock at the port located in the Kuşadası district of Aydın, Turkey. Regrettably, during the maneuvering process towards the Aegean Port, the vessel was unable to arrest its forward motion, resulting in a collision with the pier. This collision inflicted minor damage upon both the ship and the pier structure. The occurrence was documented by witnesses who captured the moment of impact using their mobile devices. Fortunately, there were no reports of significant injuries stemming from the incident.

Image Credits: Chakranews.id A fire broke out onboard the Tanzania-flagged freighter, LAYAR ANGGUN 8 (LA8), in Singapore territorial waters off Pedra Branca, prompting action from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The incident, reported to MPA on April 16 at 12:50 pm local time, involved a cargo vessel measuring 72 meters in length overall (LOA) and 10 meters in width. All 12 crew members have been successfully rescued onto a Singapore Police Coast Guard craft and are currently en route to Singapore for further assistance. Responding to the emergency, a firefighting vessel from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and MPA patrol craft, alongside tugs, are en route to provide support and contain the situation. Fortunately, no pollution has been sighted, and there is no immediate risk to navigational safety. However, as a precautionary measure, MPA is issuing regular navigational broadcasts to advise passing vessels to steer clear of the vicinity of LA8.