Maritime News

Police detected so-called “parasite”, a steel tube attached to, understood, underwater hull of a product tanker MTM POTOMAC, docked at Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala, where she arrived on Aug 4 from Colombia. Tube was filled with packages containing, it is believed, cocaine, 56 packages in total. Interestingly, there was a GPS transmitter in tube, to track the shipment and help traffickers, who were to receive the drugs, to locate it. Crew and ship’s management weren’t mentioned, understood they’re clear of suspicions and have nothing to do with drug trafficking. IMRRA, FleetMon’s official Vessel Risk Rating Partner, risk assessed this tanker as having GREEN risk rating, with a specific risk rating of 32% (25-DEC-19), compared to the fleet average 36%. New risk assessment reports can be purchased via FleetMon. Red: Poorest performing; Amber: Average value; Green: Good indicator.

Rather unusual incident involving armed guard took place on board of bulk carrier JAEGER, manager by one of the biggest bulk carriers operating companies, Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. On Jul 21 JAEGER took on board 3-men strong security team in Arabian sea while en route from Singapore to Suez, understood from private security vessel or boat, to provide safe passage via Gulf of Aden and Red sea. Once on board, one of the guards did not surrender his weapon to the vessel’s Captain as protocol requires, and then took control of the ship, as he voiced his grievances and demanded several months wage delay. According to Eagle Bulk Statement: “Eagle Bulk in coordination with maritime security experts, worked to deescalate the situation and after a period of approximately three days, the guard surrendered his weapon and allowed the ship to continue on its original course”. Reportedly he was disembarked on Aug 1, not clear how, where and by what means. As of 0700 UTC Aug 3, the ship was already in Suez Canal on a northbound transit. Eagle Bulk has nothing to do, of course, with guard’s wage delays, it’s security agency’s fault, but on the other hand, if Eagle Bulk is hiring low-rate security (like many other owners and operators do, in GoA region), Eagle Bulk is partially responsible for incidents involving armed guards. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Tanker and bulk carrier were put under quarantine in Santos Brazil, MT FAIRCHEM BLUE SHARK and MV DIAMOND STARS. FAIRCHEM BLUE SHARK arrived from Antwerp and 1 crew was tested positive, during understood, “routine testing”. FAIRCHEM BLUE SHARK is under quarantine starting Jul 27, she was moved to anchorage. DIAMOND STARS is at Santos since Jul 11, management tried to change part of the crew, 3 offsigners were tested positive, the ship is under quarantine starting Jul 29. As of late, there’s a surge of “infected” crews and ships being put under quarantine. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Jul 31 UPDATE: According to inside info and news published by at least one Greek news outlet, all 25 crew remain on board, under quarantine. Other news agencies said all crew were taken ashore. Jul 31 1800 UTC: According to latest news, all crew, including those tested positive, are in good health, they’ll all remain on board until quarantine expires. After that, all crew will be changed. The origin of initial information on evacuation of all the crew, remains a mystery. It could be a genuine misunderstanding on behalf of Greek media, but it could be as well, intentional falsification, to stoke pandemic fears, and justify restrictions imposed on public. Jul 30: Aframax tanker MERBABU arrived at Megara Greece from Ceyhan Turkey, understood with cargo of crude, on Jul 17. After offloding cargo, tanker was anchored off Megara. On Jul 26, one crew was reported to authorities having fever. Medics team board the ship, and in no time, it seems, figured out 16 infected out from total 25 crew. Tanker was moved to Piraeus anchorage, all crew were transferred to shore. Identified as infected crew, 8 Indians and 8 Filipino, were taken to hospital, the rest – according to Greek media (https://www.protothema.gr/koronoios-live/article/1031158/merbabou-me-simaia-maltas-to-ploio-me-ta-16-krousmata-ston-peiraia/) – were taken to hotel for observation or quarantine. Tanker is to be disinfected, and after that, manned with a new crew. Who’s to watch after the ship, and maintain her, until new crew arrives? IMRRA, FleetMon’s official Vessel Risk Rating Partner, risk assessed this tanker as having a GREEN risk rating, with a specific risk rating of 32% (27-APR-20), compared to the fleet average 36%. New risk assessment reports can be purchased via FleetMon. Red: Poorest performing; Amber: Average value; Green: Good indicator.

Crazy testing in China Bulk carrier BUNUN GLORY arrived at Ningbo China on Jul 26, from Japan. 19 crew were tested, 4 were found to be test positive. There was another type of test taken, which found, that 5 other crew though not exactly infected, may be infected, so together with other 4, they’ve been taken to hospital, though to a different one. The rest of the crew remain on board. Ship’s under quarantine, all crew, including infected, not infected but probably infected, and not infected / probably infected, are healthy. What does this new test mean, exactly? Not infected but probably infected? Healthy but infected or probably infected, subject to quarantine anyway? Faroe island, Lithuanian reefer 6 crew of 23-crew Lithuanian reefer CASSIOPEA were declared test positive on Jul 28, the ship is berthed in Klaksvik, Faroe Islands. She arrived from Canary islands. As of Jul 30, ship remained in the same position. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/