Maritime news

Oil Products Tanker Al Kabeer caught fire at 13NM off Sharjah, UAE, 2 days ago. The ship signaled for the bad situation at around 20:00 at May 15.
UAE Civil Defence quickly sent firefighting boats at the location where Al Kabeer was.
All 15 sailors were evacuated safely.

The fire was extinguished. It is not known for the moment what is the damage on the vessel.

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Name : AL KABEER
Type : Oil Products Tanker
IMO : 8989197
MMSI : 671194000
Call Sign : 5VBD2
Built : 1995
Flag : Togolese Rep
Port of registration : PANAMA
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by VesselFinder

Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) has the intention to increase the rates or westbound Asia-Europe trade by US$1,000 per TEU. The new rates are waited in July 1.

In the most active time between August 1 and September 30 there will be a surcharge of $500 per TEU for sailings from Asia to north Europe - according to carrier's announcement.

There will be increase at the peak of the season (from June 10 to August 31) and for Asia-Mediterranean routes - $650 per TEU.

by VesselFinder

According to Japan media, 6 victims, believed to be those of Russian crew members, were discovered aboard a cargo vessel, which caught fire while anchored in a Japanese port.

Fire took hold of the 497-ton Cambodian-registered freighter, Taigan that has been in the port of Wakkanai in Hokkaid, reported an official at the local coast guard office.

A total of 23 Russian and Ukrainian crew members were on the freighter vessel that had transported crabs from a Sakhalin port. Six of them-all Russian-had been unaccounted for, the coast guard said.

by VesselFinder

A boat transporting illegal migrants sank yesterday and 1 girl is missing. The Greek Coast Guard is searching the six-year-old.
On the boat were 21 migrants with no identification documents. Their nationality is not known. All passengers except the little girl are transported to the nearby island of Leros.

A lot of illegal migrants try to enter Greece mostly through the borders with Turkey, hoping to go to European Union country. Many people have died trying to reach their goal.

December last year 22 passenger drowned in a similar tragedy.

by VesselFinder

BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS (Royal Caribbean) is back from Navantia shipyard in Cadiz Spain.

According to a release: "The 2,100 guest ship will now offer vacationers signature Royal Caribbean amenities first introduced aboard Oasis-class vessels including 5 new dining concepts, an exhilarating aerial entertainment experience and technology advancements allowing guests to stay more connected than ever before. BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS will start offering the new extras this summer as she sails from Harwich, England, offering Northern European schedules that visit some of the Baltics’s most sought after destinations such as Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland."

"There are more dining options, BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS now offers customers a new culinary experiences from family-style festivity at the Italian trattoria, Giovanni’s Table, to the intimate and exclusive multi-course Chef’s Table. Guests can expand their palettes at a multitude of other dining venues including Royal Caribbean’s signature Izumi Asian Cuisine, Park Café and Rita’s Cantina."

"In addition, the five-story Centrum – which is the focal point of the ship – has been transformed into a spectacular new space featuring the Centrum experience, which includes the addition of the 60’s-inspired R Bar as well as a multitude of entertainment experiences including enriching daytime activities, dazzling nighttime entertainment and a new high-flying entertainment experience where aerialists glide through the vertical space of the atrium."

"The cruise ship also features a new location for the Concierge Club for suite guests, a Diamond Club for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members, a new English pub and the popular Royal Babies and Tots Nursery giving parents more opportunities to enjoy the ship’s amenities with peace of mind that their babies are being tended to by qualified care givers. Passengers also will find that staying connected at sea will be easier with Wi-Fi access throughout the ship and enjoy a host of technology enhancements that include flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, an outdoor LED movie screen on the pool deck, as well as an interactive digital way-finding system. Old favorites such as the self-leveling pool tables, the adults-only Solarium and the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center can still be found onboard and are sure to delight guests of all ages."

2013 Northern Europe season for BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS will offer 8 sailings in Baltic and North seas with stops at Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; Talinn, Estonia; Gothenburg, Sweden; There will be 11-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland itinerary.

by VesselFinder