Vessel: MAGDALENA (Malta) (11574 gt, built 1988)

Type: General cargo

Voyage from/to: Estonia, Talin / Antwerp, Belgium.

Casualty: Collision

Date of casualty: 16th February 2010

We have received reports that Malta flag vessel MAGDALENA has been involved in a collision with general cargo SC Nordic (4876 gt, built 1986), laden and westbound, in the Gulf of Finland at 1044, Feb 16. SC Nordic was holed in ballast tank No 3.

We have learned of a casualty to the vessel SICHEM OSPREY, a 2009 built, 17789gt combined chemical and oil tanker on a loaded voyage from Houston to Ulsan.

The vessel ran aground on Clipperton Island, approximately 1200km of the Mexican Coast. Salvage services are being rendered and we understand that Lloyds Open Form has been signed.

The vessel is carrying several major parcels of cargo, including, but not restricted to a cargo of approximately 6000mt Tallow.

It is as yet unknown if General Average will be declared, but at the very least security for salvage will be required and if we may assist with the provision of our insured Salvage Guarantee we would be delighted to receive your instruction. We are also ideally suited to consider the nature of the incident and the extent of the salvage services, with a view to defending cargoes interests in the salvage claim, as well as investigating the recovery potential in relation to salvage payments, as well as any cargo losses that may be sustained as a result of the incident or delays in delivery to destination.

Vessel: CMA CGM STRAUSS (65247 gt, built 2004)

Type: : Fully cellular containership

Voyage from/to: Fos, France / Genoa, Italy

Casualty: Collision

Date of casualty: 19th February 2010

We have received reports that Bahamas flagg vessel CMA CGM STRAUSS was in collision with a tug at Genoa.

An oil spill has occurred in the port as a result.

Date: 24rd March 2010

Vessel: TALCA

Type: Reefer

Incident: Piracy/Hijacking 120 miles off Oman Coast, 180 miles south of Masirah

Sirs,

We have learned of a Piracy incident to the vessel TALCA, a 1988 built, 10,298gt reefer, heading from Egypt to Iran.

It is understood that pirates seized the vessel 120 miles off the Omani coast. The vessel has already passed through the International Recommended Transit Corridor which is patrolled by warships and maritime patrol aircraft.

The usual course of events is that the Shipowners will seek to initiate communication with the pirates to determine the basis for releasing the vessel and crew. In due course, presuming a ransom is paid, it is likely that General Average will be declared. We have extensive involvement on behalf of cargo interest, with situation of this nature and we are ideally suited to consider the nature of the incident, with a view to defending cargoes interests in the GA claim.

We trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard we welcome your appointment to represent your interest, as well as taking care of any security requirements.

Date: 4th April 2010

Vessel: CMA CGM VERLAINE

Type: Containership

Incident: Collision with containership Odessa Star in Izmat Bay, Turkey

Sirs,

You may be aware of a recent incident involving the vessel CMA CGM VERLAINE, a 2001 built, 72,760gt Fully Cellular Containership, on a voyage from South Korea, China, Taiwan and Malaysia.

As a result of the collision with containership Odessa Star, whilst entering Izmat Bay to proceed to Evyap Port to load and discharge, CMA CGM VERLAINE sustained serious damage to her port shell section, resulting in a list up to 6 degrees. The crew undertook pumping operations and the casualty was moved to Evyap Port anchorage.

In order to effect repairs to the vessel the entire cargo has been discharged at Yilport container terminal and the vessel shifted to Tuzla shipyard on 13th April. As a result, the vessels owners have now declared General Average and details of the security requirements, as well as the final disposition of the cargo are presently awaited.

W.E. Cox Claims Group are appointed to represent cargo interests on board and if you are involved with cargo and we may represent your interest for the provision of GA security, delivery of the cargo and the defence of the GA claim we would appreciate you early advice in order that we may liaise with parties concerned and make the necessary arrangements to secure release of the cargo.

We trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard we welcome your appointment to represent your interest, as well as taking care of any security requirements.
If we may offer further guidance in respect of the case in question or with regard to any aspect relating to the General Average or Salvage, please liaise with Anthony Carter or Paul Friett at our UK Head Office, or Wendy Lee in our Hong Kong office, or Paul Sansom in our Singapore office or Krishnan Nair in our Malaysian office

Date: 12th May 2010

Vessel: ELENI P

Type: Bulk carrier

Incident: Hijacking/Piracy off Oman Coast

Sirs,

We have learned of an incident involving the vessel ELENI P, a Liberan flag, 1997 built, 37707gt bulk carrier, bound for Xiamen, China, from Ukraine.

The vessel was seized by pirates approximately 250 nautical miles off coast of Oman on 12th May, reportedly carrying a cargo of Iron Ore and with crew of 19 Filipinos, 2 Greeks, one Ukrainian and one Romanian.
The fact that the vessel was apparently closer to the Indian coast than to Somalia is an indication of the expanding range within which the pirates are now operating.

In similar manner to previous piracy incidents, there is likely to be a ransom demand from the pirates in due course. At that point it is anticipated that the Owners of the vessel will declare General Average and there will be calls for GA security and potentially for advance contributions toward ransom costs.

If you are involved with cargo on board we would recommend that you refrain from offering GA security without giving serious consideration to the wording of the security documents and any call for payment on account should be resisted. Furthermore, the circumstances of the hijacking may warrant investigation in order to determine whether the Owners may have contributed in any way to the incident, which may give rise to defending a GA claim. In these respects we would be able to offer our recommendations and to represent your interest including provision of GA security, and in the event that you are involved with cargo on board we welcome your advice and instruction.

Date: 5th March 2010

Vessel: UBT OCEAN

Type: Combined Chemical & Oil Tanker

Incident: Piracy off Madagascar

Sirs,

We have learned of a Piracy incident to the vessel UBT OCEAN, a 2009 built, 6149gt combined chemical and oil tanker on a loaded voyage from UAE - Tanzania.

It is understood that pirates seized the vessel off Madagascar and are sailing towards the Somali coast.

There is no information whether negotiations with the pirates are underway, but following the boarding of the vessel all contact was lost.

The usual course of events is that the Norwegian Shipowners will initiate communication with the pirates to determine the extent of ransom demand. In due course, once the ransom is paid, it is likely that General Average will be declared. We have extensive involvement on behalf of cargo interest, with situation of this nature and we are ideally suited to consider the nature, with a view to defending cargoes interests in the GA claim.

We trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard we welcome your appointment to represent your interest.

Casualty Date: 22nd March 2010

Vessel: DONG PHONG

Type: General Cargo Vessel

Incident: Grounding off Coast of Hokkaido

Sirs,

We have learned of the Vietnamese registered, 1994 built, 5552mt General Cargo ship DONG PHONG, which grounded of the coast of Hokkaido on 22nd March in high wind. The vessel had previously visited Niihama in Japan, Qingdao in China, Busan & Yosu in South Korea.

As at 25th March salvage operations were yet to commence and the vessel was still aground in the same position. Whilst the scope of the salvage operation has yet to be determined, we trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard we welcome your appointment to represent your interest, as well as taking care of any security requirements.

We have learned of a collision between the vessel J FRIEND, a 1984 built, 21456gt Hong Kong flag bulk carrier with container capacity, on a voyage from India, and MSC TOMOKO, a 2006 built, 94489gt Panama flag fully cellular containership, on a voyage from USA.
The J FRIEND was carrying 35000MT Iron Ore bound for Shantou, and her previous ports included New Mangalore, while MSC TOMOKO had previously called at Long Beach, USA.
Subsequently, water flooded into No.1 & 2 holds of J FRIEND, which is now down by her head. We are not sure whether she is stranded or not, however all of the crew have been rescued.
As MSC TOMOKO is one of the largest container ships in the World, it is understood that she has not suffered obvious damage in this accident and there is no mention of any containers having been damaged / gone overboard.
Although a Chinese rescue team reportedly responded to a distress call, we are not aware of any Salvage services or declaration of General Average at this stage, but will keep you advised of any material developments.

Meanwhile , we trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard either vessel would welcome your appointment to represent your interests, as well as taking care of any security requirements.

Date: 2nd June 2010

Vessel: QSM DUBAI

Type: General Cargo

Incident: Hijacking/Piracy

Sirs,

We have learned of a recent incident involving the vessel QSM DUBAI, a 1978 built, 9,213gt General Cargo Carrier, on a voyage from Santos, Brazil and Durban, South Africa bound for Mogadishu, Somalia. The vessel has 24 crew on board of Egyptian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Ghanaian nationalities. The cargo is unknown at this stage.

It is reported that the vessel was boarded by armed pirates, who took control in the early hours within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor.

Whilst additional information relating to the hijacking and possible ransom demand has yet to be determined, it is likely that General Average will be declared and if we may be of assistance in this respect, including for the provision of General Average security on behalf of cargo, we would welcome your instruction. Similarly, if we may assist Hull Insurers with efforts to secure release of the vessel, we have experience in representing Hull interests.

We trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with this incident we welcome your appointment to represent your interest, as well as taking care of any security requirements.

Date: 27th March 2010

Vessel: MAERSK MIAMI

Type: Containership

Incident: Fire in Engine Room, 50 miles off Goa, India

Sirs,

You may be interested in a very recent incident involving the vessel MAERSK MIAMI, a 1994 built, 56,248gt Fully Cellular Containership, on a voyage from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia, with future calls in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. The vessel is carrying more than 2000 loaded containers

The vessel suffered a fire in an engine room, approximately 50 mile west of Goa. The crew were evacuated to sister vessels in the vicinity. Salvage services were rendered, although it is understood not to be under LOF terms and the fire was extinguished. There is said to be no pollution or loss of containers.

Even though there would not appear to be the requirement for salvage security in this instance, it is anticipated that General Average will be declared and salvage costs will be incorporated into the assessment of GA. The circumstances of the fire will require to be investigated with a view to determining nature and cause and also to identify responsibility for the fire. It is also more than likely that General Average security will be sought before authorisation is given to release cargo interests.

UPDATE 1ST APRIL 2010

Further to our casualty report of 27th March, we have now received confirmation that General Average has been declared.
Attached is the GA notice to cargo and a blank AG form.

The vessel is currently off India, but she might be allowed into an Indian port as she is without motive and electrical power.
If she cannot get into India, there is talk that she might go to Salalah or another port to discharge / tranship cargo, although a final decision has yet to be made.

Salvors were appointed under a daily contract, and there is no separate Salvage Security requirement.

We trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard we welcome your appointment to represent your interest, as well as taking care of any security requirements.

Vessel: AGHIOS MAKARIOS (47,828gt; built 1987)

Type: Bulk Carrier

Voyage from/to: Lithuania / Singapore

Casualty: break down

Date of casualty: February 2010

We have received reports that Greek flag vessel AGHIOS MAKARIOS has broken down off Diego Garcia.

The bulk carrier, which previously called at Klaipeda, was laden with c. 78,000mt fertiliser, bound for Chinese ports.

We are not aware of any declaration of GA but Five Oceans are rendering Salvage services, agreed under LOF, but not yet signed; the CORAL SEA FOS is currently on her way from Colombo, with the intention of towing the casualty to Singapore, where she should arrive by mid-March.

If you are aware you have insured any cargo on board this vessel, or if your assured notifies you of any claim involving this incident then we would be pleased to assist with the provision of securities and defence of GA / Salvage claims on your behalf.

We have learned of an incident involving the vessel PIYA BHUM, a Singapore flag, 1985 built, 11762gt fully cellular containership, trading and operating as a feeder vessel between Singapore and Surabaya.
The vessel was bound for Indonesia from Singapore, carrying about 500TEU under 200+ bills of lading, when she struck a wreck off the port of Surabaya. She is reported still to be stuck and Salvage services are being rendered by Smit under LOF.

It is understood that the majority of cargo on board originated from Singapore, China and USA, although the vessel is also likely to be carrying quantities of transhipped cargo from various other locations.

At the time of writing, Lloyd’s Salvage arbitration Department confirm that there is as yet no formal security demand and we are not aware of any declaration of General Average. However, if you are involved with cargo on board, we would be pleased to represent your interests including provision of GA &/or Salvage security, and would welcome your advice and instruction.

Vessel: SHEN NENG 1 (36,575gt; built 1993)

Type: Bulk Carrier (Coal)

Voyage from/to: Australia / China

Casualty: Grounding

Date of casualty: 3rd April 2010

We have received reports that China flag vessel SHEN NENG 1 ran aground, carrying 65,000 MT coal.

The bulk carrier, which previously called at Port of Gladstone, Australia, was bound for China and reported to have run aground 38 nautical miles east of Great Keppel Island.

Further details may be found in the local news story at the following link:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/coal-ship-at-risk-of-breaking-apart-20100405-rlwl.html?autostart=1

If you are aware you have insured any cargo on board this vessel, or if your assured notifies you of any claim involving this incident then we would be pleased to assist with the provision of securities, if required, and defence of any GA / Salvage claims on your behalf.

Date: 11th April 2010

Vessel: RAK AFRICANA

Type: General Cargo

Incident: Hijacking/Piracy off Seychelles Coast

Sirs,

We have learned of an incident involving the vessel RAK AFRICANA, a 1981 built, 5,992gt general cargo ship, trading between Persian Gulf and Indian Sub Continent. The vessels previous ports include Karachi in Pakistan, Sharjah in UAE and Doha in Qatar.

The vessel was seized by pirates approximately 280 nautical miles west of Seychelles on 11th April. She is presently stopped due to engine problems. The nationality of the crew is unknown.

In similar manner to previous piracy incidents, in due course there will likely be a ransom demand from the pirates. At that point it is anticipated that the Owners of the vessel will declare General Average and there will be calls for GA security and potentially for advance contributions toward ransom costs.

If you are involved with cargo on board we would recommend that you refrain from offering GA security without giving serious consideration to the wording of the security documents and any call for payment on account should be resisted. Furthermore, the circumstances of the hijacking may warrant investigation in order to determine whether the Owners may have contributed in any way to the incident, which may give rise to defending a GA claim. In these respects we would be able to offer our recommendations and to represent your interest including provision of GA security, and in the event that you are involved with cargo on board we welcome your advice and instruction.

Date: 23rd March 2010

Vessel: FRIGIA

Type: Bulk Carrier

Incident: Piracy/Hijacking 1000 miles off Somali Coast

Sirs,

We have learned of a Piracy incident to the vessel FRIGIA, a 1978 built, 20,352gt bulk carrier, heading from Ukraine, Turkey & Egypt, apparently destined for Thailand.

It is understood that pirates seized the vessel 1000 miles off Somali coast, whilst heading eastwards. There is no information whether negotiations with the pirates are underway.

The usual course of events is that the Shipowners will seek to initiate communication with the pirates to determine the extent of ransom demand. In due course, once the ransom is paid, it is likely that General Average will be declared. We have extensive involvement on behalf of cargo interest, with situation of this nature and we are ideally suited to consider the nature, with a view to defending cargoes interests in the GA claim.

We trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard we welcome your appointment to represent your interest, as well as taking care of any security requirements.

We have learned of an incident involving an explosion and fire aboard the vessel LISSY SCHULTE, a 1995 built, 16800 gt Fully Cellular Containership, trading between S & E Africa, Persian Gulf and Indian sub continent.
The vessel was bound for Dar es Salaam, and her previous ports included Karachi in Pakistan, and Jebel Ali in UAE.

We are not aware of any Salvage services or declaration of General Average at this stage, but will keep you advised of any material developments.

Meanwhile , we trust that this information is of interest to you and if you are involved with cargo onboard would welcome your appointment to represent your interests, as well as taking care of any security requirements.