Seven crewmembers of the tanker Eagle S have been banned from leaving Finland after allegedly damaging subsea infrastructure in the Baltic last week. The travel ban allows suspects to continue working aboard the ship during the ongoing investigation. Finnish authorities detained the vessel in connection with a subsea cable damage incident on Christmas Day.
South Asia Gateway Terminals Ltd. (SAGT) in Sri Lanka has reached a significant milestone by hitting two million TEU in 2024, marking the third time in its 25-year history. Despite post-pandemic challenges and economic crisis, CEO Romesh David credits the team’s hard work and investments in technology for this achievement.
The European Union’s FuelEU Maritime mandate, effective January 1, impacts shipping interests by requiring fuel-efficient decisions. Options include higher taxes, reduced consumption, or low-emission fuels. Fees on emissions per tonne for ships over 5,000 GT aim to cut greenhouse gas intensity by 80% by 2050. Compliance includes recording emissions and penalties for non-compliance.
A Cyprus-flagged bulker, the Maccoa, has been stuck in Canada’s St. Lawrence River since December 24. Plans to free the vessel involve lightering, the second time in a month a bulker in the river needed to remove cargo to become unstuck. Efforts to free the ship are underway, with a target date of January 5.
The ATSB issued safety recommendations after an electrical short circuit caused a bulk carrier to run aground in Port Hedland, Western Australia. The incident led to a collision with the channel wall and damage to the ship. The investigation highlighted the importance of eliminating single points of failure in safety-critical operations.
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has taken significant steps to support his community. By providing a monthly allowance to students at the Maritime Transport Academy and increasing the minimum retirement pension, he demonstrates his commitment to improving the lives of his people.
A bulkhead named Anima Saima 2 capsized in the Karnaphuli River near the Chattogram port channel after colliding with the outbound container vessel MSC Giannina II. Three crew members were rescued, and the wreckage has been marked with a red buoy. Vessel movements in the port channel remain unaffected.
Maritime traffic in the Bosphorus Strait was halted due to heavy fog, affecting vessel movement between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The closure, announced by the Directorate General of Coastal Safety, aims to ensure the safety of ships navigating through the busy waterway. Updates on the situation are expected as visibility improves.
In 2024, the Irish Coast Guard was extremely busy with 44 units mobilized on 1,154 occasions. They conducted 752 missions with helicopters, assisting 537 individuals. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution launched lifeboats 699 times, and the community inshore rescue service responded to 73 taskings. The Coast Guard coordinated 2,554 incidents.
The UK New Year Honours List for 2025 has recognized individuals in the maritime industry for their services to diversity. Monica Kohli, president of WISTA UK, was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Members of the RNLI and Sea Cadets were also recognized.
A Singapore-flagged ship, the Yangze 22, collided with a Japan-flagged ship, the Vega Dream, in Chinese waters on December 30. The incident occurred in the Changjiang River around 10pm, as reported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on December 31. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the crew on either vessel.
A search and rescue operation was launched by the Philippine Coast Guard after a cargo ship capsized in rough seas. 13 out of 15 crew members were rescued, one was missing, and one body was found. The incident highlights the dangers of unpredictable weather at sea and the importance of safety measures for seafarers.
The Integrated Transport Centre and Abu Dhabi Maritime have launched MARSDNA, a tool by Maqta Technologies Group to help maritime stakeholders achieve their ESG goals. By grading their progress on ESG metrics, businesses can track their sustainability efforts. Future phases will expand the tool’s coverage to the entire sector, supporting sustainable development.
After nearly 15 years of being detained in Indonesia for drug trafficking, Mary Jane Veloso, a migrant worker, finally returned home a week before Christmas. Her homecoming marked a significant milestone in the Philippine government’s efforts to protect overseas Filipino workers and their families.
Estonia is advocating for a revision of its maritime laws to better address damage to undersea infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines. Minister Liisa Pakosta highlighted the inadequacy of current regulations in handling incidents like the recent damage linked to a Russian oil vessel. Estonia plans to propose updates to the International Maritime Organization by February.
