Argentine authorities have quarantined the 'Ina Lotte' on the Parana River over a suspected case of mpox on board, the government said on Aug 20, 2024, as global public health authorities remained on alert over a new, faster-spreading variant of the virus. The ship had come from Santos to pick up a cargo of soybeans. It was near the inland grain port of Rosario, when it alerted authorities that one of its crew members, of Indian nationality, had cyst-like skin lesions predominantly on the chest and face. The patient was isolated from the rest of the crew, and the health emergency protocol was activated. The vessel, which was heading to the port of San Lorenzo in the Santa Fe province, had to anchor in the river. Only medical personnel was allowed to board the ship, while the entire crew had to remain in quarantine pending test results.Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox virus a global public health emergency for the second time in two years as a new variant of the virus spread rapidly in Africa. Report with photo: https://www.msn.com/en-ie/health/other/argentina-suspects-first-case-of-mpox-as-entire-cargo-ship-quarantined/ar-AA1p9R1A
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WADI ALBOSTAN
The 'Wadi Albostan' has been detained on Aug 14, 2024, at Paradip because of a financial dispute between the Elboil GmbH and the vessel owner regarding the delivery of low-sulfur marine gas oil. The German marine gas oil supplier had claimed approximately $4,77,320 from the vessel owner for supplying around 98 metric tonnes of very low-sulfur marine gas oil. A case was filed under the section 4 of Admiralty Act 2017 (jurisdiction and settlement of maritime claims) in the Orissa High Court by the supplier. The Admiralty judge of Orissa High Court ordered the arrest of the vessel. The civil judge was appointed to execute the High Court order of the detention. The order was also conveyed to Paradip Port Authority, its secretary, and the Traffic manager to assist in the vessel's detention. The bulk carrier remained under detention until further notice from the authorities. The ship had departed from Chittagong Anchorage on Aug 3 with a cargo of 55,000 metric tons of iron ore from Paradip Port.
SERENADE OF THE SEAS
A group from Extinction Rebellion blocked the entrance to theport of Amsterdam on Aug 19, 2024, preventing the 'Serenade of the Seas' from entering the IJmuiden lock.The small group chained themselves to the locks in the latest of ongoing demonstrations against the cruise industry in the region. The police was called in the afternoon to clear the protestors from the locks, which happened at 5 p.m. The activists were released without being arrested. Report with photo: https://www.ad.nl/amsterdam/politie-maakt-einde-aan-blokkade-sluizen-ijmuiden-door-xr~a261fcdb/
EUROPA PALACE
On the evening of Aug 16, 2024, a 70 year old passenger of the 'Europa Palace', en route from Naples to Cagliari felt unwell due to sudden and severe abdominal pain while the ship was about 10 nautical miles south of the island of Ischia. The ship requested the medevac of the patient, and the Naples Maritime Directorate, which coordinated the repone, alerted the patrol boat 'CP 829' of the Ischia Coast Guard. The patient was disembarked about 10 miles south of Sant'Angelo in an area more protected from the wind and sea, so that the patrol boat could safely approach the ship and take the man on board.
ZHENG HE
When the ' Zheng He' was to set course from the Bahamas to the port of Tampico with the focus on changing crew, refueling and maintenance, Mexico had doubts about this and said that it was a customs matter. The ship was also said not to be able to present the correct documents. That is why Mexico considered the 'Zheng He' as an imported good and demands import costs.of 96 million Euros, the value of the ship. De Nul – and Luxembourg – did not agree with this. They have refused to pay the fine for 10 months. There are 36 crew members on that ship who are not allowed to disembark. Legal steps have already been taken and they indicated that Mexico must release the ship - and especially the crew. Luxembourg brought the case before the Mexican court and it was decided that Mexico was wrong. Nevertheless, Mexico is not releasing the ship. That is why Luxembourg went to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg in June 2024. However, the tribunal decided not to intervene. The tribunal did not see the urgency of immediately removing the crew from the ship. Nevertheless, the tribunal remains competent for the case and will have to make a final decision.