The Wai Hai Lines, the owners of the 'Wan Hai 503', have failed in a bid to secure port of refuge in Hambantota in Sri Lanka. While the China Merchant’s run port had agreed to take the 'Wan Hai 503', sources indicated that agreement with government authorities over conditions to bring the vessel into the country’s waters for salvage operations could not be reached. The Sri Lankan authorities did not outright reject the application for the 'Wan Hai 503', however, asked for a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) on the salvage operation to the value of $3.25 billion, a figure which massively exceeded normal limits of liability. As a result, the application for port of refuge has not proceeded. With the failure to agree port of refuge in Hambantota it leaves the 'Wan Hai 503' with the salvors onboard offshore India and Sri Lanka and adrift on the high seas. Other potential options for a port of refuge in Southeast Asia and the Middle East continued to be explored, with Penang ibeing the most promising at present. With Hambantota in Sri Lanka the port operator in Penang has agreed to take the vessel, but again approval from government authorities will be required. There are concerns over the safety of the damaged vessel in a lengthy towage operation across the Indian Ocean that would coincide with the monsoon season.
News
SFL COMPOSER
On Aug 4, 2025, at 10.20 p.m. the container m/v 'Maersk Gironde' (IMO: 9235555), en route from Wilhelmshaven to Gdansk, was in collision with the 'SFL Composer', which was coming from Emden, at the entrance to the deep-water route at Hatter Barn. Both ships sustained damage above the waterline. Diving investigations were carried out to determine whether there was also damage below the waterline. Both ships have been detained by the Danish Maritime Authority. The 'SFL Composer' was anchored just northwest of Sejerø, close to the position where the collision occurred, while the 'Maersk Gironde' dropped anchor north of Fyns Hoved in pos. 55° 42' N 010° 45' E, where it remained stationary as of Aug 6 . The Danish Maritime Authority has inspected the damage during the night and again on the morning of Aug 5. The 'SFL Composer' was taken in tow by the two Svitzer tugs 'Svitzer Edda' (IMO: 9898929) and 'Trym' (IMO: 9342724) to the Fayard Shipyard (the former Lindø Skibsværft) in the Odense Fjord for an inspections. On the foremidday of Aug 6, it dropped anchor in pos. 55° 35' N 010° 33' E. Reports with photos: https://fyens.dk/112/kollision-mellem-skibe-i-fynsk-farvand-vi-har-vaeret-forbi https://tv-kalundborg.dk/nyheder/maersk-skib-i-kollision-ved-hatter-barn/
SEA LADY II
Authorities were preparing to salvage the 'Sea Lady II', with the crane ship 'Hebo-Lift 2' (IMO: 9829019) having arrived in St Tropez on Aug 5, en route from Civitavecchia. The 'Sea Lady II' was badly damaged in a fire and has been partially sunk ever since. The fire began in her bow before spreading to the lower decks, alongside billows of black smoke. Authorities had difficulties boarding the yacht but did manage to bring the flames under control. Two crew members were evacuated and have been treated for minor smoke inhalation.
SALVAMAR ALIOTH
On the night of Aug 5, the sailing yacht 'Redón' with one crew member on board, ran aground on the rocks at Seiramar beach in Covas (Viveiro). The hull was breached, causing water leaking, and the boat had a broken mast. The CCS Fisterra of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Alioth' to assist. The SAR boatmanaged to free the yacht and tow it to Celeiro.
GUARDAMAR CALIOPE
The motor boat 'Jeff One', with 12 people on board, went adrift on Aug 5 ar the port of Ibiza. The 'Guardamar Concepción Arenal', mobilized by the Coordination Center of Salvamento Marítimo in Palma, took the boat in tow and pulled it to the port. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1953167091881689136