Maritime News

Mexico water patrol during surveillance course in Ensenada waters spotted a person on board of container ship MOL MAJESTY, throwing package in water, and a suspicious boat at ship’s side, in the evening Feb 26. Boat with three persons in it was detained, packages containing some 3 kilos of white powder resembling cocaine, were found. Understood all four suspects in drug trafficking were arrested. MOL MAJESTY arrived at Ensenada from Manzanillo on Feb 25, as of 1330 UTC Feb 27 she was still anchored at Ensenada anchorage. Whether the ship is detained for investigation, or it’s a routine stay, is unknown. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Feb 26: Container ship is probably, having problem with her next port of call on schedule, Ashdod, Israel. One of ship’s crew was recently in South Korea and 14 or 27 day incubation period didn’t yet expire. It was enough for Ashdod Port Authority to reportedly, deny or postpone ship’s docking in port. The crew including seaman in question are healthy in all respects, the the ship already traveled half of Europe with no problems whatsoever, but it doesn’t convince Ashdod officials. Trading companies already sent letters and requests to Israel industry association, asking association to assist, and allow the ship to dock in port. A lot of goods they expect and count on, may finish up in limbo. Final decision is to be made by Ministry of Health. The ship undocked Lymassol Cyprus, early in the morning Feb 26, her next port of call being Ashdod, ETA Feb 26. She anchored at Lymassol anchorage, and as of 0500 UTC Feb 26, remained at anchor. Feb 27 UPDATE: As of 0800 UTC Feb 27, the ship remained anchored at Lymassol anchorage, apparently waiting for Israeli authorities decision either to allow her to dock at Ashdod and offload containers destined for Israel, or conditions she will have to comply with in order to be cleared, or whatever. It’s insanity. Preventing coronavirus is becoming more harmful and dangerous, considering lockdowns consequences, than coronavirus. Feb 28 UPDATE: The ship left Lymassol anchorage in the afternoon Feb 27, arrived at Haifa anchorage and was brought to anchor at around 0300 UTC Feb 28. Port of destination was changed, when the ship will be berthed for cargo operations, is yet unknown. As nowadays, almost everywhere around the globe, Haifa port and anchorage are packed with ships, berthed and waiting their turn. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Kuwait Port Authority has issued a circular on Feb 25, which is banning cargo ships from Kuwait Ports, if they arrive from and depart to, Republic of Korea, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Iraq. Tankers are excluded from this circular. Comment: Not clear what does it mean, exactly. Does it mean that from now on, no cargo originated from or destined for, the abovementioned countries, can reach the customers? Does it mean, that there’s, effectively, no more trade with these countries? Looks very radical. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Aruba, Caribbean, made probably, the biggest narcotics bust in island’s history, seizing general cargo ship ARESSA in the morning Feb 25, and taking her to Oranjestad. The ship was en route from Guaranao Port, Venezuela, to Thessaloniki Greece, it is said that at least one ton of narcotics, most probably cocaine, was found. She sailed from Suriname early February, called Guaranaó in Punto Fijo, and then set sail for Greece. The ship was intercepted in international waters, and arrested after drugs were found. 7 people are arrested, including Captain of the ship. The ship was re-flagged to Camerroon in 2019, she was Russia-flagged until 2017, Russian management still listed as manager. UPDATE Feb 27: Several Montenegrin crew members were arrested, not known yet if there are other nationalities among crew. 5 tons of cocaine were found. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Cruise ship MSC MERAVIGLIA (IMO 9760512, GT 171598) with over 4,500 passengers and over 1,600 crew members was denied disembarkation of either passengers or crew at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, after she docked in port on Feb 25, in accordance with cruise itinerary. Port Health Officials discovered that a crew member was placed in isolation on board, with a cough, fever and associated muscle pains, with a travel history to a country related to coronavirus. After waiting in port for nearly four hours for formal clearance, ship’s command decided to leave Ocho Rios for the next port of call as the long wait had compromised the passengers’ proposed time at the destination. MSC MERAVIGLIA is scheduled to go on to Cozumel, Mexico, and then to the Bahamas. It is unclear if the ship will be allowed to land at those destinations. As of 0500 UTC Feb 26, the ship was under way, south of Cayman islands, heading for Cozumel Mexico. Container ship MSC LAUSANNE (IMO 9320398, dwt 79403, capacity 6336 TEU) is probably, having problem with her next port of call on schedule, Ashdod, Israel. One of ship’s crew was recently in South Korea and 14 or 27 day incubation period didn’t yet expire. It was enough for Ashdod Port Authority to reportedly, deny or postpone ship’s docking in port. The crew including seaman in question are healthy in all respects, the the ship already traveled half of Europe with no problems whatsoever, but it doesn’t convince Ashdod officials. Trading companies already sent letters and requests to Israel industry association, asking association to assist, and allow the ship to dock in port. A lot of goods they expect and count on, may finish up in limbo. Final decision is to be made by Ministry of Health. The ship undocked Lymassol Cyprus, early in the morning Feb 26, her next port of call being Ashdod, ETA Feb 26. She anchored at Lymassol anchorage, and as of 0500 UTC Feb 26, remained at anchor. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/