The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has raised alarms about the dire situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where around 2,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers are stranded. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized the immense stress on crews facing fatigue and supply shortages, urging for a humanitarian corridor to aid their safe passage.
In a recent Lok Sabha address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the urgent need to facilitate the return of Indian seafarers stranded in the Gulf due to the West Asia crisis. With 778 seafarers reported stranded, families of two missing individuals have appealed for government intervention to locate their loved ones.
The luxury river cruise ship Nicko Vision became stranded on the Danube with nearly 200 passengers as they prepared for New Year’s Eve. Low water levels, about 9 inches below normal, hindered rescue efforts. Passengers initially traveled by bus to Budapest but later rejoined the cruise, continuing toward Bratislava.
The Canadian Coast Guard successfully freed the grounded bulker Maccoa after two weeks of being aground. The vessel, registered in Cyprus, had been delayed in refloating due to the holidays. Three tugs were used in the second attempt to refloat the vessel and reposition it back into the shipping channel.
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.
Efforts to free the grounded bulker ship Maccoa near Montreal have been unsuccessful so far. The vessel is sideways outside the navigation channel, with no obstruction to traffic. Despite harsh winter conditions, no injuries or pollution have been reported. The Canadian Coast Guard is monitoring the situation and planning further actions.
A dry bulk carrier named the Maccoa, flagged in Cyprus, is currently grounded in Canada’s St. Lawrence River. The vessel, with no signs of pollution or water ingress, departed Montreal on December 23 but became stuck outside the navigation channel on December 24. The Canadian Coast Guard is working on a plan to refloat the ship.
A Dutch cargo ship, the Heemskerkgracht, lost power in the St. Lawrence Seaway, blocking navigation. Carrying scrap metal from Canada to Spain, the ship became wedged at a 45-degree angle. Emergency services confirmed no damage or pollution. Tugs were on standby, and a salvage master was en route. The incident caused delays for vessels in the busy waterway.
