The 'HC Eva Marie', en routet from Aqaba, which is transporting containers with ammunition bound for Emden, has been docked in the port of Vigo since Jan 26, 2025, after suffering a cargo shift due to storms that hit the Atlantic coast. The vessel took refuge in the port due to adverse weather conditions caused by the storm ‘Eowyn’ and its continuation ‘Herminia’, which made it impossible for the ship to sail north and increased the risk of losing the cargo. Nine of its 96 containers had shifted. The goods that the ship is transporting were howitzers. According to a statement issued over the weekend by the Vigo Port Authority, the ship’s cargo is classified as Class I, Division 1.1 and Type E. After receiving the request for berthing, the Port Authority alerted the competent authorities to coordinate the ship’s arrival at the port. The ship has docked at the Transversal pier, an area reserved for ships carrying dangerous goods, where it is kept under surveillance by private security, the Port Police and the Civil Guard. Several meetings were held with the Maritime Captaincy, the Civil Guard, the shipping company, the ship and cargo insurers, and the stevedoring company to address the situation. The first inspection was carried out by an engineer from the shipping company, together with the captain and the ship’s security personnel on Feb 1. They were accompanied by representatives of the shipping company and the head of the Port Authority’s Security Division. This inspection found that the damage suffered by the storm only affected the external structure of the containers, but at no time to the goods they transported. The shipping company stated the shells have been dismantled, as established by international standards for the movement of this goods, and also insisted that the cargo is correctly stowed and inside the protective boxes, and emphasize that it did ot pose any ris. It was required to draw up a safety plan for securing the containers, before receiving authorization to leave the port. The plan will consist of moving the containers in good condition to an empty hold with the aim of isolating those which have been damaged. After this, personnel specialized in this type of cargo will travel to Vigo to inspect the containers and move the cargo from the damaged ones to others prepared for the same purpose. At no time will the goods be unloaded at the pier. Reports with photos: https://xornaldevigo.gal/sociedade/129357-un-buque-que-transporta-municion-refuxiase-en-vigo-desde-hai-unha-semana/ https://www.gciencia.com/perspectivas/o-buque-refuxiado-en-vigo-transporta-unha-carga-mais-devastadora-que-a-do-desastre-de-beirut/ https://www.atlantico.net/vigo/puerto-trasladara-municion-carguero-atracado_1_20250204-3392461.html
News
REGINA-K
The Moselle lock in Müden was back in operation on Feb 1, with the first ship being the "Mainz", a ship used by the Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA), which successfully passed through the lock on the morning. Representatives of the state and the Directorate General for Waterways and Shipping came to the reopening of the lock along with Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing and representatives from Luxembourg and France were also present. According to the WSA Rhein-Mosel-Saar, the repair of the lock has been fully completed. The last test locks were still running until the afternoon of Jan 31. The gate movements were checked again and finer details were adjusted. The experts paid attention to the hydraulics and whether the speed of the 40-ton gate wings was programmed correctly. The work was carried out at record speed. The 'Regina K' remained in Haren as of Feb 4. Report with photo and video: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/rheinlandpfalz/moselschleuse-wieder-frei-100.html
ERDEK
The 'Erdek', en route from Ceuta, has arrived In the Douarnenez Bay on the evening of Feb 2, 2025, and dropped anchor in pos. 48° 12' N 004° 29' W in order to to repair a damage. The maritime prefecture has taken the report into account. A complaint from a sailor on board was received by an IFT/CGT inspector. The crew member mentioned a shortage of provisions on board and the crew being subjected to excessive working hours as well as the structural integrity of the ship is seriously compromised, a situation which worried the Mor Glaz association, The ship remained stationary at its mooring as of Feb 4.
DICK
After the Elbe in Dresden was blocked for shipping for five months after the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge, the 'Dick' along with the barge 'Dick 1' was the first ship which has been allowed to pass again on Feb 3, 2025, transporting a 221-ton generator and up to 500 tons of fertilizer to Antwerp. The months-long closure has caused the shipping companies considerable losses. Legal action against the city of Dresden was therefore being considered. In the coming weeks, up to 40 ships are expected to pass the route, but the future of shipping remains uncertain. Currently, only ships with special permits are allowed to use it, while private boats are still prohibited. Reports with video: https://www.sachsen-fernsehen.de/mediathek/video/dresden-nach-fuenf-monaten-erstes-frachtschiff-passiert-wieder-die-carolabruecke/ https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/sachsen/carolabruecke-containerschiff-passiert-100.html
VEZHEN
Sweden has released the 'Vezhen', after the investigation has shown that this case was not a case of sabotage, according to the public prosecutor. The ship therefore allowed to leave Karlskrona and continue its journey. The cause of the cable damage between Latvia and Sweden is now considered to be a combination of weather conditions and deficiencies in equipment and seamanship, according to senior public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist. At the same time, however, it was said that they were convinced that the "Vezhen" was responsible for the damage on the night of Jan 26. The affected submarine cable is used by the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC), and the damage occurred in Sweden's exclusive economic zone. Latvia sent naval divers to the site of the damage shortly afterwards. As of Feb 3, the 'Vezhen' remained statioary in pos. 56° 04' N 015° 32' E. Reports with photos: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/0Vq3O0/haver-beslag-av-fartyg-inget-sabotage https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/aklagaren-haver-beslut-om-beslagtaget-fartyg