Freighter Lada (IMO 9194050) was released in the afternoon of September 8th after several weeks’ detention in Port Elizabet, South Africa, for allegedly lacking the required transit permits for weaponry. Lada has now obtained the necessary permits and was past Cape Town on September 10th, en route to Lagos, where it was expected to dock on September 21st. The South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (NPC) confirmed that explosives additives were found on the vessel. The explosives additives in question had both industrial non-military and military applications and were therefore controlled items. The Lada had been en route from Tulear, Madagascar to Lagos, via South Africa. Transflot Ltd said that all cargo delivered to the port had been officially declared and all the required documents had been handed over. The company denied that the ship was carrying dangerous weapons.
The company said that the “absolutely legal cargo” was covered by the International Maritime Organisation category 1.1 designation and had been loaded in containers in Chennai, India. Category 1.1 includes ammonium picrate and three types of cartridges for weapons, with bursting charges.
A further 20 containers heading for Lagos were asserted to hold illegal weapons and explosives without a transit permit.
2000-built, Russia-flagged, 3,170 gt Lada is owned by Sloterdiep II Scheepvaart care of manager Transflot Ltd of St Petersburg, Russia. It is entered with VSK Insurance.
A fire broke out in the engine room of 120mx19m Russian fishing vessel Kapitan Bogomolov (IMO 8607402) during the morning of September 11th. The trawler was moored alongside reefer refrigerated cargo ship Saronic Breeze (IMO 9041540) at Morocco-administered Dakhla anchorage. The fire was extinguished by the crew, but two crew members were reported as having died fighting the fire.
1991-built, Russia-flagged, 7,765 gt Kapitan Bogomolov is owned by Erican CJSC care of manager Murmansk Trawl Fleet Co of Murmansk, Russia. It is entered with VSK.
1991-built, Panama-flagged, 6,399 gt Saronic Breeze is owned by Star Sea Shipping SA care of manager Lavinia Corp of Athens, Greece. ISM manager is Baltmed Reefer Services Ltd of Athens, Greece. It is entered with UK Club (London L2 Group) on behalf of Star Sea Shipping SA.
Bulk carrier Gundem Makbule (IMO 9520388) allided with general cargo ship Tina upon leaving the New Northern lock of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel, Germany during the morning of September 12th, while en route from Sceczein to Kalamaki, Greece. Tina was travelleing from Gdynia to Hamburg. When the two vessels met, both suffered scratches on the starboard foreships. Gundem Makbule also suffered dents at the poop deck at port side, and a position lantern was damaged. All damage on both vessels was above the water line, so the vessels were allowed to continue their respective voyages in the morning hours. Tina berthed at the container terminal Altenwerder, Hamburg tghat morning. Gundem Makbule is due in in Kalamaki on September 22nd.
2009-built, Panama-flagged, 2,976 gt Gundem Makbule is owned by Ramazan Shipping Inc care of manager Gundem Denizcilik of Istanbul, Turkey. (Need non-IG)
2003-built, Netherlands-flagged, 7,519 gt Tina is owned by Tina II of Heerenveen, Netherlands. It is managed by Holwerda Shipmanagement BV of the same location. It is entered with North of England Club in behalf of Noord Nederlandsche P&I Club.