My Ship Time

Three seafarers kidnapped, four security personnel killed, in Nigerian pirate attack Pirates have kidnapped three seafarers and killed four security personnel onboard a dredger off Forcados terminal in Nigeria. The latest in a spate of violent pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea the Nigerian dredger Ambika was reported to have been boarded by armed pirates on 2 January at the mouth the Ramos river around 9nm east of Forcados Terminal. A fire fight ensued between the pirates and security personnel onboard the vessel with the pirates kidnapping three crew members, comprising two Russians and one Indian national, and killing four Nigerian security personnel and leaving two injured. Five seafarers were left on the vessel. Year 2020 : Changes which Seafarers can expect in India   The dredger is managed by Deep Frontline Shippers of Nigeria according to the Equasis database. While there have been frequent pirate attacks and kidnappings in the Gulf of Guinea in recent ...

Life with  Nigerian pirates for  70 days in captivity An Indian seafarer, Mr. Chaudhary, who was recently released from the captivity of Nigerian pirates shared his traumatic and horrific ordeal. During the conversation, he sounded positive despite several physical aberrations e.g. loss of 20kg weight, huge deficiency of haemoglobin and ECR rise due to multiple infections in his body etc. His elaborations on his experience confirmed that he along with his other crew members went through one of the worst awful ordeal during 70 day’s period of captivity. His experience portrayed as follows: Two more ships attacked in Gulf of Guinea: Greek and Singaporean, 8 crew kidnapped Mr. Chaudhary had joined a Mumbai based shipping company named K Ship in November, 2018. The ship was assigned to him to sail through the dangerous waters of Nigeria with total 15 crew members on it, out of which 6 were Indians and 9 others were Nigerian and Ghanaians. In April, 2019, h...

Two more ships attacked in Gulf of Guinea: Greek and Singaporean, 8 crew kidnapped Bulk carrier VINALINES MIGHTY wasn’t the only one attacked on Dec 30, two more ships were attacked, in different positions, at different time, 8 crew were kidnapped. Two attacks were thwarted by Nigerian armed security teams on board. Shipping in Gulf of Guinea needs private armed guards, provided by international security agencies. Product tanker HAPPY LADY Product tanker HAPPY LADY was attacked at around 2300 Dec 30 in position 04 00N 009 06E, some 6 nm SW of Limbe, Cameroon, where tanker is anchored since late November, so maybe she was a happy lady indeed to remain anchored in dangerous waters for such a long time, without being attacked, No other information on this attack yet, no information on crew’s fate, are they safe or kidnapped, or/and injured? UPDATE: 8 crew out of 28 on board were kidnapped, among them 5 Greeks, 2 Filipinos, and 1 Ukrainian. Bulk carrier DROGBA Bulk carrier DROG...

Pirates Kidnap Eight from Greek Tanker Off Cameroon Five Greeks, two Filipinos and a Ukrainian were abducted by unidentified assailants from the Greek-flagged tanker ‘Happy Lady’ while the vessel was anchored two nautical miles from Limboh port in Cameroon. The attack on the 28 crew-member ship took place in the early hours Tuesday, the Greek Shipping Ministry said in an emailed statement. The Happy Lady is a chemical/oil tanker with a carrying capacity of 51,390 tons and is owned by Athens-based Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “We’re doing everything needed for them to be released and returned home,” Greek Shipping Minister Yannis Plakiotakis said in a social media post. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis asked the minister to take what ever action necessary for the incident to be happily resolved. A sixth Greek sailor was injured in the attack. Pirates abducted four crew members in November from another Greek-flagged oil ...

Sandy Hook pilot Dennis Sherwood has died after falling during embarking Dennis Sherwood , a pilot of Sandy Hook fell backwards off a ladder while boarding a ship today at 4:30 a.m. and died of his serious injury in Staten Island hospital, according to U.S. Coast Guard reports. A routine investigation of the accident has been initiated. Although no name of the ship has been provided, the accident appears to have occurred while boarding the Maersk Kensington (U.S. flag, IMO: 9333010), which came from Algeciras, Spain. Her gross tonnage is 74642 and deadweight is 84688. MAERSK KENSINGTON was built in 2007. MAERSK KENSINGTON length overall (LOA) is 299.47 m, beam is 40 m. Her container capacity is 6200 TEU. The ship is operated by MAERSK LINE LTD-USA. During the accident the wave height was 4-5 feet with a wind speed of 30 knots. It is important to find out what happened and how such an incident could possibly be avoided in the future. The analysis of aviation accidents should...

Mutual disrespect- Shipping industry's communication breakdown.   Trust between seafarers and shore-based management has declined to 'disturbing' levels, a major research project has discovered. Andrew Linington reports Masters and officers are feeling increasingly unable to exercise their professional judgement as a consequence of the growing use of bureaucratic systems and procedures, coupled with increasing surveillance from ashore. That is the conclusion of an international study carried out by experts at Cardiff University's Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC). The analysis warns that the breakdown in trust between ships and shore presents worrying implications for the morale and wellbeing of maritime professionals and may have damaging impacts upon shipping companies. Presenting the findings, SIRC director Professor Helen Sampson said the shipping industry has increasingly adopted 'punishment-centred' bureaucratic systems at corporat...

Container ship out of control, hit embankment, Istanbul VIDEO Container ship  SONGA IRIDIUM  reported to Bosphorus Traffic Control engine failure at 1200 LT (UTC +3) Dec 27, while transiting Bsphorus in southern direction en route from Ukraine, Black sea. The ship veered starboard and moved towards embankment, in an attempt to deaden inertion and stop or at least, mitigate impact,  SONGA IRIDIUM , judging from videos, dropped both anchors, starboard anchor was lost. The ship hit embankment, both ship and embankment sustained damages. She was taken off embankment by tugs and towed to Marmara sea, at 1500 LT she was already in Marmara sea, to be anchored on outer anchorage, no doubt. https://youtu.be/Q49VmIXe44c Credit: Fleetmon

Turkish Suezmax tanker attacked in Gulf of Guinea Vessel was attacked at around 0700 UTC Dec 24 in Gulf of Guinea, 220 nm southwest of Bonny, Nigeria. Available information point at Suezmax crude oil tanker ISTANBUL, but ship’s identity not yet confirmed. No other information available at the moment, awaiting ship’s ID confirmation and details. Tanker attacked in Gulf of Guinea, all Indian crew kidnapped Tanker is en route from Bonny OPL to Rotterdam (understood in load), since 0700 UTC she turned hard portside and as of 0800 UTC, was steaming south. US-Flagged Vessel Rescues Distressed Iranian Mariners Dec 24 1230 UTC UPDATE: Tanker ISTANBUL was attacked by a group of armed pirates in a boat, managed to thwart boarding attempts by maneuvering, and escaped. Crew safe. Crude oil tanker ISTANBUL, IMO 9593012, dwt 149989, built 2015, flag Malta, manager CINER SHIP MANAGEMENT, Istanbul.

US-Flagged Vessel Rescues Distressed Iranian Mariners The U.S. flagged merchant vessel Maersk Kinloss rescued three Iranian mariners Dec. 18. The Maersk company informed NAVCENT of the rescue of the mariners, who had been stranded at sea for several weeks. This communication was enabled through the relationship between the commercial maritime industry and NAVCENT’s Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) team. The rescue is an example of professional mariners rendering assistance to others in distress at sea, responsibility and mission that we in the U.S. Navy share and take very seriously. The stranded mariners were transferred to the Omani coast guard, who are coordinating their return to Iran. For additional information we would refer you to Maersk Kinloss’ operating company, Maersk Lines Limited in Norfolk, Virginia.

 SHIP'S CAPTAIN KILLED FOR NOTHING The untimely death of a kind man: "Turkish Captain Bora Ekşi, always helped and supported his killer". Bulk carrier Captain knifed by crew, died Ergin Aktaş, the oiler who murdered Captain Bora Ekşi, was suffering from financial and psychological problems. Ergin Aktas created problems on board and each time he apologized, the captain was kind to forgive him. Turkish media reported that on November 10, the captain noticing the aggressive behavior of Ergin, wanted to sign him off in Singapore. Ergin once again apologized for his behavior and the captain decided to keep him on board. It is also stated that the captain allowed Ergin to stay on board because he had a soft corner for this man. After refueling in Singapore, when the captain once again noticed behaviural changes in Ergin's, he called Ergin's family and consulted with them. According to the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, "The shipping company of...

Aframax tanker and bulk carrier attacked in Singapore Strait Aframax tanker and bulk carrier were attacked on Dec 23 while under way in Singapore Strait, puprpose of attacks unclear, because in both incidents crew on watch were tied up, but nothing was stolen. Two bulk carriers and Suezmax tanker attacked in one day, Singapore Strait South East Asia Piracy watch dog ReCAAP Report: - On 23 Dec 19 at about 0012 hrs, tanker,  BAMZI  was underway in the Singapore Strait and en route from Nipa anchorage, Indonesia to Qing Dao, China when the chief engineer and duty engineer sighted three perpetrators in the engine room. One of the perpetrators was armed with a knife. The alarm was raised and the three perpetrators escaped immediately. Two motormen were later found tied up by the perpetrators. A search on board the ship was conducted, with no further sighting of the perpetrators. The crew was safe, nothing was stolen and the ship resumed her voyage. Tanker attac...

Sex trafficking by ro-ro ship, Philippines Philippines Coast Guard jointly with other law enforcement agencies prevented sex trafficking by a cargo ship, rescuing 13 females, found on board of ro-ro ship ANRONIA 1, owned and operated by ALESON SHIPPING LINES INC. The ship was stormed by a joint team on Dec 16 in Zamboanga Port,  ANTONIA 1  was to sail to Sandakan, Sabah. The victims were mostly from Luzon. Credit: Fleetmon

Two bulk carriers and Suezmax tanker attacked in one day, Singapore Strait Three ships were attacked by pirates in Singapore Strait early in the morning, and late at night, on Dec 20, reported South East Asia piracy watchdog ReCAAP ISC: - On 20 Dec 19 at about 0532 hrs, bulk carrier  JIAN FA  was underway in the Singapore Strait bound for China when an unknown number of perpetrators boarded the bulk carrier. At about 0700 hrs, the ship informed Singapore VTIS that a search on board the ship was conducted and there was no sighting of the perpetrators. Nothing was stolen. All crew are safe and the ship resumed her voyage. - On 20 Dec 19 at about 2325 hrs, tanker  JAG LALIT  was underway in the Singapore Strait bound for Kaoshiung, Taiwan, China when six perpetrators armed with knives boarded the ship. The 4th Engineer was punched in the face; while the chief engineer sustained bruises on the neck and had a gold chain stolen from him. Upon the ship's arrival...

Bulk carrier Captain knifed by crew, died Captain of Turkish bulk carrier  INCE KARADENIZ  was killed by a crew member, oiler, in the morning Dec 20, bulk carrier is en route from Indonesia via Singapore to Suez, W of Sri Lanka.  Two bulk carriers and Suezmax tanker attacked in one day, Singapore Strait Understood Captain reprimanded oiler earlier, so he went angry or something. He attacked Captain with a knife, two other crew who tried to stop him were wounded. Perpetrator sliced Captain’s throat with a knife, and understood to be later neutralized. The ship contacted Sri Lanka authorities and changed course, heading for Colombo. Turkish Consulate is also informed. Credit: Fleetmon

Three vessels attacked, Captains and CO kidnapped, LCT skipper killed, Gabon Several vessels were attacked by pirates at Libreville anchorage, Gabon Estuary, Gabon, Gulf of Guinea, at 0200 UTC Dec 22. According to Dryad Global report, two Chinese fishing vessels, GUOJI 867 and GUOJI 838, and local landing craft vessel, were attacked. Captain and Chief Officer of both fishing vessels understood to be kidnapped, Skipper of landing craft vessel killed. credit: Fleetmon

Pirates Release Nave Constellation Crew Pirates have released the 19 crewmembers taken from the tanker  Nave Constellation  on December 3. All 18 Indian and one Turkish nationals were freed on Saturday after being kidnapped from the vessel in the Gulf of Guinea while en route from Bonny Offshore Terminal to India. The seven seafarers left on board navigated the vessel to safety. Three vessels attacked, Captains and CO kidnapped, LCT skipper killed, Gabon A statement released on Saturday by the vessel owner, Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, and manager, Anglo-Eastern Tanker Management (Hong Kong), said:“Since the attack, the prime concern has been the safety, well-being and early return of the seafarers taken by the pirate gang. Owners and managers are now delighted to report that on December 21 all of those taken were released and are now safe and undergoing medical tests and debriefing, following which they will return to their loved ones at home. All thos...

Indian Government expressed concern on 20 Indians seafarer's held by Nigerian pirates The Indian Government, on Monday, expressed concern over kidnapping of 20 Indian crew members from onboard vessel MT Duke and said that the Indian mission in Abuja has taken up the matter with concerned authorities in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. 'We are concerned by the kidnapping of 20 Indian crew members (as reported by the Shipping agency) from the vessel MT Duke in the high seas off the western coast of Africa on 15th December 2019,' the MEA spokesperson, Mr. Raveesh Kumar said. 'This is the third such incident this year in the region, affecting Indians. Our Mission in Abuja has taken up the matter with Nigerian authorities and authorities of neighbouring countries. The safety of hostages is paramount and we continue to engage with Nigerian authorities and other stakeholders,' he said. The incident comes just 10 days after 18 Indians on board a Hong Kong-fla...

IMO 2020 creates new criminalization risk for seafarers With the much-debated IMO 2020 regulation taking effect in less than a month, maritime professionals' union Nautilus International issued a warning over a potential new wave of seafarer criminalization. The IMO's 2020 regulation speculates that ships must run on fuel containing no more than 0.5% m/m of sulphur unless there is a scrubber installed. Within designated emission control areas (ECAs), the limit will remain at 0.10%. The Union has been told by members that many seafarers are increasingly alarmed by the prospect of being scapegoated for problems through no fault of their own, linked to the 0.5% sulphur cap. Penalties for non-compliance with the new 0.5% limit will include big fines or lengthy jail sentences in some countries, as well as ship detentions. Just over a year ago, in the first case of its kind, France fined the master of the P&O Cruises vessel Azura €100,000 for using ...

Pirates Release Kidnapped Tanker Crew off Togo Three of the four  kidnapped crew members  of the oil tanker Elka Aristotle have been released, however, the fourth crew member, a Filipino national has died, European Products Carriers Ltd., managers of the Greek-flagged vessel, informed. “A full investigation is underway into the situation, but it is understood that his demise was not as a result of any actions by those holding the crew hostage but due to illness,”  the company added. The three released crew members have undergone medical checks and are reported to be well. They were being debriefed by the local authorities prior to returning home to the Philippines, Greece, and Georgia respectively. The tanker was boarded by armed pirates on November 4, 2019 while anchored near the West African port of Lome, Togo. The incident occurred only two days after  nine crew members were taken hostage  from a bulk carrier off Cotonou, Benin. The ancho...

MAIB: Caused behind Stolt Groenland Explosions On 28th September 2019 The explosions on board the chemical tanker Stolt Groenland last September were probably caused by the rupture of the deck above 9 starboard cargo tank, followed by the ignition of the styrene monomer vapour that was then released, according to the initial investigation findings by MAIB. The blasts occurred while the ship was readying for a ship-to-ship cargo transfer with Singapore-flagged Product tanker Bow Dalian at the Yeompo Quay in Ulsan, South Korea. According to the report, the vapour started to release from the pressure vacuum valve for Stolt Groenland’s number 9 starboard cargo tank, which contained styrene monomer. Stolt Groenland had loaded 5,250 tonnes of styrene monomer at the LBC terminal in Houston, the U.S.A. in early August before it headed to Japan via the Panama Canal. The cargo was distributed between three stainless steel cargo tanks: numbers 9S, 6P and 6C. As informed, prior to...