All articles tagged with #shipping lanes
Pirates boarded a Malta-flagged tanker off Somalia, but the crew took refuge in a safe room and remains in control of the vessel, amid a recent surge in piracy incidents in the region that has raised concerns for global shipping routes. EU naval forces are responding to the incident, which marks a significant escalation since 2024.
Salvage crews have begun removing containers from the cargo ship Dali, which collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, in an effort to reopen one of the nation's main shipping lanes. The removal of containers and sections of the bridge is ongoing, with 32 vessels having passed through temporary channels. President Biden toured the site and met with the families of the six workers who died in the accident, while the search for the remaining victims continues. Officials aim to open a limited-access channel for vessels by the end of April and restore normal capacity to Baltimore's port by May 31.
The leader of Yemen's Houthis, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, has declared that the group's attacks on vessels will intensify to block Israel-linked ships from passing through the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope. This comes as part of their efforts to show solidarity with Palestinians during Israel's conflict with Hamas. The attacks have disrupted global shipping, leading to longer and costlier routes, and have raised concerns about wider regional destabilization. The United States and Britain have responded with strikes on Houthi targets and designated the group as a terrorist organization.
Houthi rebels have launched a significant number of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, disrupting international trade and prompting the US and its allies to form a coalition to protect shipping in the vital maritime trade route. The attacks, carried out using ballistic missiles and drones, have targeted vessels accused of supporting Israel's war effort, although some companies deny any connection. Major companies like BP and Maersk have suspended operations in the Red Sea, leading to a rise in oil and gas prices. The coalition, known as Operation Prosperity Guardians, currently includes 10 countries and aims to safeguard the free flow of commerce in the region.
A cargo ship, the One Orpheus, broke down in Egypt's Suez Canal and crashed into a bridge, but the incident did not disrupt canal traffic. The ship went off course after its rudder malfunctioned, causing it to collide with the Mansi Bridge near Ismailia. The vessel's rudder was later fixed, and it resumed its journey. The extent of the damage to the bridge is unknown. This incident is the latest in a series of accidents in the Suez Canal, which plays a crucial role in global trade.
The world's largest iceberg, A23a, has finally moved for the first time in 30 years after breaking free from the ocean floor near Antarctica. Weighing nearly a trillion metric tons and measuring 1,500 square miles, the iceberg could pose problems for wildlife as it enters the Southern Ocean and potentially blocks access to food for animals on South Georgia Island. If it continues its trajectory, it could also disrupt shipping lanes near South Africa. Additionally, the melting iceberg could release minerals gathered during its time as a glacier, providing some nutrients to organisms in the area.
A burning car carrier off the Dutch coast is being towed to a new location away from shipping routes as part of a salvage operation. The ship, which was carrying new cars from Germany to Egypt, caught fire resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to seven others. The towing operation began on Sunday, and the ship's temporary destination is 16 km north of the Dutch islands Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. The relocation aims to move the ship further away from shipping routes and reduce the risk of the fire spreading.