1. 6 containers lost in stormy Aegean sea
Container ship MEDKON ISTANBUL encountered severe storm entering Aegean sea early in the morning Jan 6, after transiting Dardanelles, en route from Rodaport Marmara sea to Aliaga, Turkey. The ship lost 6 containers being N of Bozcaada island, Turkey, resumed sailing after reporting accident to maritime authorities. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/06/6-containers-lost-in-stormy-aegean-sea/
2. Dredger attacked, 4 guards killed, 3 Russian and Indian crew kidnapped
Hopper dredger AMBIKA was attacked by pirates at night Jan 2 in Niger river mouth, SW of Barri, according to Dryad Global information obtained from its’ source. Firefighting occurred according to this information, between pirates and military armed security personnel on board. 4 guards were killed, pirates managed to board drdger and kidnap 3 crew, including 2 Russians and 1 Indian. Dredger according to tracks, later resumed her works in river mouth. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/06/dredger-attacked-4-guards-killed-3-russian-and-indian-crew-kidnapped/
3. Ferry grounded by storm, some 300 people evacuated, Philippines
Ferry OCEANJET 7 ran aground shortly after leaving Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines, in the morning Jan 6. The ship left Plaridel bound Tagbilaran City in Bohol, with 271 passengers and 17 crew on board. According to Philippines CG statement, ferry was pushed aground, encountering rough seas. Several rescue boats were deployed in rescue, all passengers and crew rescue, all are safe. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/06/ferry-grounded-by-storm-some-300-people-evacuated-philippines/
4. Ferry ran on rocks, breached, Greece
Ferry PROTEUS ran on rocks of a small island Daskalonisi in Skiathos harbor, Skiathos island in the northwest Aegean Sea, in the afternoon Jan 5, with 45 passengers on board, shortly after leaving Skiathos. Ship’s hull was breached, water ingress reported. Understood passengers and crew are in no danger, passengers were to be transferred back to Skiathos by patrol/SAR boats. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/05/ferry-ran-on-rocks-breached-greece/
5. Tanker managed to unmoor in adverse weather, avoiding major accident
Product tanker STONE 1 was offloading gas oil at Aabernaa Fjord, Denmark, Little Belt, when in the morning Jan 4 strong wind battered the area and moored tanker. Mooring lines started to snap, tanker managed to start engine and move away from berth. In the process of unmooring some 30 tons (according to officials and media) of oil leaked overboard, not exactly clear how – either pump wasn’t stopped in time, or hose broke, or both. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/05/tanker-managed-to-unmoor-in-adverse-weather-avoiding-major-accident/
6. Russian Navy ship disabled while being in Syria, towed back to Black sea Naval base
Russian Navy Landing ship ORSK suffered engine (one of two) breakdown during her regular trip from Naval base Sevastopol, Black sea, to Syria, and had to be towed back to Sevastopol by Navy tug MB-304, passing Bosphorus on Jan 3. Turkish bloggers didn’t miss this transit and posted a lot of photos in social nets. http://maritimebulletin.net/2020/01/05/russian-navy-ship-disabled-while-being-in-syria-towed-back-to-black-sea-naval-base/
7. Britain’s Royal Navy to Escort UK-Flagged Ships Through Strait of Hormuz
Britain’s navy will accompany UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection after the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani inflamed tensions in the region. Britain’s defense minister, Ben Wallace, ordered the HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to prepare to return to escort duties in the major oil shipping route as Prime Minister Boris Johnson came in for criticism for his silence over the killing. https://gcaptain.com/britains-royal-navy-to-escort-uk-flagged-ships-through-strait-of-hormuz/
8. Risk to Shipping Set to Rise in Middle East with U.S. Attack on Top Iranian Commander
The risk to shipping in the Persian Gulf region is set to rise following a U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed a top Iranian commander, just months after spiking to record levels on heightened geopolitical risk. The attack, for which Iran has vowed retaliation, escalates tensions in a region that exports much of the world’s oil. Brent crude prices jumped as much as 4.9% in intraday trading. https://gcaptain.com/risk-to-shipping-set-to-rise-in-middle-east-with-us-attack-on-top-iranian-commander/
9. How strong is your favorite knot? MIT Scientists Invent New Rope Fibers To Study Knots
How secure is your favorite knot? “Although knots have been around for thousands of years,” says applied mathematician Vishal Patil of MIT, “not much is known about why they work the way they do.” Scientists at MIT have invented a new type of stretchable fiber that changes color in response to strain or pressure. According to NPR and the journal Science, a team at MIT used this new fiber to tie simple knots. Then the team observed the color changes to understand what was going on. https://gcaptain.com/mit-knot-study-science/
10. Global Shipping Sails Into Turbulent Times As IMO 2020 Nears
When the shipping industry counts down to the New year on December 31, markets are unlikely to be in a celebratory mood as global markets will wake up to a whole new shipping regime come January 1: IMO 2020. The new global regulation, introduced by the International Maritime Organization, will see the bunker fuel sulfur limit reduced to 0.5% from January 1, from 3.5%. https://www.shippingtribune.com/news/shipping/Global+shipping+sails+into+turbulent+times+as+IMO+2020+nears
