Om July 30, 2024, Greenpeace activists approached the gas platform under construction with the 'Sleipnir' by a Dutch energy company around 20 kilometers northwest of the island of Borkum. Around 30 people gathered for a demonstration with inflatable boats, life rafts and kayaks, which has so far not resulted in any further disruptions to operations or impairments to shipping. The Dutch authorities were responsible for the measures on the drilling platform, and they received support from the water police Lower Saxony upon request. Three life rafts that make up a protest camp were manned by two people each throughout the night. The rubber dinghies and kayaks were removed overnight for safety reasons. The Greenpeace activists had set off from Borkum port. According to the company One-Dyas, the m/v "Sea Seraya", which was loaded with building materials, was currently lying idle. The emergency forces from the Lower Saxony water police were on site with boats, but did not intervene. Ships from the Dutch coast guard also accompanied the protest at times. The protest was taking place in Dutch territorial waters. The water police are in close contact with their Dutch counterparts. The water police had been aware of the action since last week. The demonstration was not registered, but was covered by freedom of assembly as long as there was no danger to the participants and they behaved peacefully. For One-Dyas, Greenpeace's protests are acceptable as long as they remained peaceful. The Dutch oil and gas company announced this on July 30. However, One-Dyas complained that Greenpeace's protest action disrupted work on the construction site and that unexpected interruptions could lead to an increased risk of accidents for people, nature and the environment. Report with photo and video: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/Schwimmendes-Protestcamp-Greenpeace-Aktivisten-uebernachten-auf-See,greenpeace790.html
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PEARL G
The Iran has seized the 'Pearl G' with a crew of nine Indians on board on July 26, 2024. The tanker was carrying a cargo of 700 tons smuggled Iranian crude. The vessel, which is owned by an Iraqi national residing in the UAE, was offloading smuggled oil from Iranian vessel. The tanker has been moved to the port of Bandar Imam Khomeini. The 'Pearl G' has spent the last 90 days sailing between the coast of Sharjah in the UAE and points off the coast of Iraq. The tanker was seized based on a judicial order. The registered manager is the Jinsung Marine Service Co Ltd,
OVERSEAS SANTORINI
The 'Overseas Santorini' also faced strong protests from pro-Palestinian supporters as it made a port call at Gibraltar for bunkering. Protesters, including members of the British parliament, alleged that the vessel was transporting military fuel destined for Israel and should not be allowed to bunker in the port of Gibraltar. It had arrived off the coast of Gibraltar on the night of July 30. Protestors claimed that the ship was carrying 300,000 barrels of jet fuel onboard, which could be used for bombings in Gaza. They further claimed that the fuel was being shipped by Valero Energy Corporation and was headed for the port of Ashkelon. The ship had already skipped a scheduled stop in Algeciras, anticipating the protest it was facing there too. The British authorities had received a request from the tanker for bunkering, but the captain of the Gibraltar had not granted the request yet. A coalition of British politicians and activists has urged the UK and Gibraltar governments to do everything in their power to prevent the vessel from bunkering in Gibraltar. The protestors alleged that allowing the ship to dock at Gibraltar would make the port complicit in Israeli violations of international law. The tanker left Gibraltar after some four hours towards the Mediterranean.
BANGLAR AGRADOOT
The 'Banglar Agradoot' has been fined €50,000 for hindering an inspection, but finally the Maritime Authority in Cartagena carried out control and surveillance work and immobilized the ship in the port of Escombreras for a possible air pollution and for hindering, up to two times, the inspection tasks. A sanctioning file has been opened. It had arrived at the port of Cartagena on July 24, 2024, en route from Huelva. It was scheduled to set sail this night of July 26, after unloading more than 15,700 tons of oil. After a night in port, the Maritime Captaincy ordered an inspection due to the thick, black smoke emitted by the ship. However, those responsible for the ship did not cooperate, which led to their arrest and a fine of 50,000 Euros.. A legal representative of the shipowner in Spain was appointed for the payment of the guarantee of 50,000 Euros by the company Bangladesh Shipping Corporation. In the meantime, the ship will remain detained and was stationary in Cartagena as of July 27.
REACHY SPRING
The 'Reachy Spring" has been detained in Singapore on July 24, 2024, at 11.40 p.m. LT at the Eastern Bunkering Anchorage on behalf of the Allen and Gledhill LLP. The reason of the arrest was likely disputes over the payment of goods and services during the ship's operation. Its commercial contoller is the Reachy Shipping in Singapore.