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Month: May 2025

Ali Aykin

Ali Aykin

Ali Aykin
Photo: Swedish Coast Guard

On the morning of May 25, the 94 meter long, 5006 dwt cargo vessel Ali Aykin (IMO: 9166510) ran aground in the Øresund near Malmö, Sweden. The Ali Aykin was headed to Setubal from Gdansk with a cargo of scrap  went hard aground on a shoal after veering out of the shipping channel south of the Øresund Bridge. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage with at least one ballast tank punctured. There were no reports of injuries.

The Swedish Coast Guard conducted an aerial survey and found the Ali Aykin had not released any oil pollution. Authorities launched an investigation and conducted interviews of the crew members.  One crew member was found to be intoxicated while at the helm and was later charged with gross negligence. Divers would later conduct a survey and found the cargo vessel resting on both rocks and sand with the majority of the hull firmly aground. The Coast Guard dispatched multiple environmental vessels including the 81 meter long  KBV 001 (IMO: 9380441)  and the 23 meter long KBV 034 (IMO: 9536650) to monitor the vessel.  The concern is the 69 tons of diesel in the vessel’s fuel tanks that could be released if there is further damage to the hull.

Authorities have stated they are waiting on the vessel’s owner and insurance company to provide a salvage plan. The plan will most likely focus on removing all fuel and any other potential oil pollution before any attempts to pull the Ali Aykin free. News reports also state the vessel had been barred from the port of Halmstad, Sweden in 2024. Inspectors had found 40 deficiencies in 2024 which may play a factor in the salvage plan.

Emte

Emte

Emte
Photo: Water Police

On the afternoon of May 24, the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Emte (MMSI: 211451030) collided with an undisclosed self-propelled barge on the Elbe-Seiten Canal near Stüde, Germany. The Emte was headed to Ludwigshafen from Bützfleth when there was a navigation error. One of the vessels had steered too close to the starboard bank causing the bow to veer into the path of the oncoming vessel.  The two self-propelled barges struck head-on with both vessels sustaining significant hull damage and water ingress. There were no injuries.

The water police launched an investigation into the incident.  Authorities halted traffic on the Elbe-Seiten Canal while the incident was being investigated.  News reports state the damage to both vessels was estimated at approximately 150.000 €. The water police did not disclosed which vessel made the navigation error resulting in the collision.

Barge Fire in Maashaven

Barge Fire in Maashaven

Barge Fire
Photo: rijnmond.nl

On the morning of May 27, a barge caught fire on the Nieuwe Maas River while berthed at Maashaven in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The fire ignited in a barge containing household waste resulting in clouds of smoke from the hold. Area residents were asked to keep windows and doors closed from the smoke. The local fire brigade and the 28 meter long fireboat RPA 10 were called to the scene. Their efforts got the fire under control a short time later and the blaze was extinguished within a few hours.

No reports of injuries.  Damage to the barge from the fire was not disclosed. The barge would be later towed to Rozenburg where the waste cargo is to be unloaded.