The 117 meter long, 3133 dwt ro-ro cargo vessel Taba capsized and sank in the Red Sea just outside the port of Safaga, Egypt. The Taba had just departed from Safaga bound for Dhiba with cargo of trucks when it suffered a cargo shift. The 37 persons on board were able to safely abandon ship and were later rescued by Egyptian rescue boats. The Taba capsized and sank. No reports of injuries. Reports state the trucks on deck had not be properly secured which lead to the incident.
On December 23, the 220 meter long passenger cruise ship Costa Neoclassica caught fire while en route to Aqaba. The blaze started in the vessel’s smokestack, but was quickly extinguished by the crew. The vessel was able to continue under its own power to Aqaba. An inspection in port found damage was limited to the external portion of the funnel. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The Costa Neoclassiaca was able to leave port for a voyage to Mauritius.
The 186 meter long, 46223 dwt bulk freighter Stove Trader caught fire while at the port of Aqaba, Jordan. The Stove Trader was unloading it’s cargo of wood when a fire broke out. The crew and local firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. No further details reported.
