Incident

ENGINE: Algoa Bay closure spurs surge in bunker calls at nearby ports

Bunker demand has increased in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports as bunkering remains completely shut off in Algoa Bay, a source says.

Published

2 months ago

October 2, 2023

Admin

Ships sailing by Algoa Bay are forced to seek bunkers elsewhere as bunker operations remain suspended.

With Algoa Bay temporarily inaccessible for bunkering, ships being diverted to alternative ports in its vicinity to bunker.

Bunker demand has increased in Mozambique’s Nacala and Maputo ports as bunkering remains completely shut off in Algoa Bay, a source says. Ships are also seeking bunkers at other South African ports such as Durban and Cape Town.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability has remained steady so far in Durban, but availability could tighten there going forward because of the Algoa Bay crisis, a source says.

Some bunker buyers are still booking stems for deliveries in Algoa Bay in late October. They anticipate that bunkering could resume by that time, a port agent tells ENGINE. As of now, both onshore and offshore bunkering remain suspended, the port agent adds.

The reputational damage from the South African authority crackdowns could be immense. Even if the current issue is resolved and bunker operations resume, there may be lingering perceptions of Algoa Bay as a problematic location for bunkering, another source argues.

"Once bitten, twice shy," it says.

Algoa Bay bunkering has faced hightened scrutiny after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) detained bunker barges over import duty disputes earlier this month.

By Nithin Chandran

Manifold Times previously reported South African Revenue Service (SARS) issuing a media statement concerning the detention of five vessels involved in the fuel bunkering supply chain.

Source: ENGINE
Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Bernd Bölscher
Published: 2 October, 2023

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Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

Panama-registered vessel was operated by 17 crew members, aged between 21 to 58 years, from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Published

2 days ago

November 29, 2023

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains tanker for illegal anchoring in East Johor waters

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday (28 November) said a Panama-registered tanker has been detained for illegally anchoring in East Johor waters on 27 November.

MMEA Tanjung Sedili Zone acting director Maritime Cmdr Mohd Najib Sam said the tanker was detained by a patrol boat at 11am at 15.8 nautical miles northeast of Tanjung Penawar.

The captain of the vessel failed to produce any documents that permission had been obtained to anchor in Malaysian waters.

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The vessel was operated by 17 crew members, aged between 21 to 58 years, from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

The case will be investigated under Section 491B(1)(L) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 for anchoring without permission. If found guilty, individuals may be fined not exceeding MYR 100,000 or face an imprisonment term of not more than two years, or both.

Manifold Times previously reported law firm Oon & Bazul LLP sharing on steps shipowners should keep in mind before anchoring and conducting STS operations in Malaysian waters to avoid detention.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 29 November, 2023

Vessel Arrest

Singapore: Comoros-flagged container ship “Race I” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Ship, formerly known as “Wisdom Grace”, was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system; arrest was made on behalf of Oon & Bazul LLP.

Published

3 days ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

Singapore: Comoros-flagged container ship “Race I” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Comoros-flagged container ship Race I was arrested in Singapore waters on Friday (24 November).

The 18,193 DWT vessel, formerly known as Wisdom Grace, was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system.

According to the list, the vessel was arrested at 11.48pm and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Oon & Bazul LLP. The ship is currently held at the Eastern Anchorage.

No details regarding the reason behind the arrest were provided in the list.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Frank-Peter Mecklenbeck
Published: 28 November, 2023

Environment

EU seeks stricter fines to stop illegal discharges, beyond oil spills

Ships in EU seas should face dissuasive fines not only for oil spills, but also for sewage and garbage discharge, says Transport and Tourism Committee MEPs.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 20, 2023

Admin

Ships in EU seas should face dissuasive fines not only for oil spills, but also for sewage and garbage discharge, Transport and Tourism Committee MEPs said on Thursday (16 November).

Transport and Tourism Committee voted to update EU rules on preventing pollution from ships in European seas and ensuring perpetrators face fines. It would ensure all international standards on preventing illegal discharges from ships, developed by International Maritime Organisation, become part of EU law and as a result become more easily enforceable.

MEPs supported the proposal to extend current EU rules prohibiting the discharge of oil and noxious liquid substances to include the discharge of sewage, garbage, and residues from scrubbers.

They want ship-owners to bear the responsibility for any environmental damage caused by ship pollution, in case the master or crew responsible for the illegal discharge can no longer be found or cannot afford to pay the full amount of the penalty. MEPs also want EU governments to avoid setting maximum or minimum penalties for infringements to ensure that the effectiveness and proportionality of penalties are not undermined.

Current EU rules have been responsible for the introduction of the CleanSeaNet, a European satellite-based alert system for oil spill and vessel detection. Because this system lacks reporting on how pollution incidents were followed up, Transport MEPs are in favour of encouraging more information exchange between member states and the Commission on pollution incidents. They also want 50% of CleanSeaNet alerts to be verified on the spot and as soon as possible, to prevent an illegal discharge from dispersing and therefore becoming undetectable by the time of arrival on the location.

“The current EU rules do not work, because they are weakly applied by member states. This is unacceptable. It is time for member states to step up and protect European seas from the harmful effects of ships illegally dumping waste. It is necessary to effectively detect illegal discharges and set penalties at levels that serve as a real deterrent,” EP rapporteur Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romania) said.

The draft negotiating mandate was approved by 36 votes to one. Transport Committee MEPs also unanimously (36 votes in favour) backed a decision to start talks with member states on the final shape of the legislation, once plenary has given its green light next week.

The revision of the directive on ship-source pollution is a part of the Maritime safety package presented by the Commission in June 2023. The package aims to modernise and reinforce EU maritime rules on safety and pollution prevention.

The new rules focus on administrative fines for ship-source pollution, while criminal sanctions are to be addressed in separate legislation MEPs are currently negotiating with EU governments.

Photo credit: Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash
Published: 20 November, 2023