Alma Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On January 2, 2025, the reefer vessel 'Alma' made an unexpected stop at the Ocean Quay in Copenhagen after a deceased person was discovered on board. The ship, en route from Klaipeda, altered its course while transiting the Øresund, making a turnaround near the island of Ven early in the morning. Authorities reported no signs of foul play, instilling reassurance about the circumstances surrounding the incident. After completing investigations, the 'Alma' resumed its journey, departing for Skagen on the morning of January 3.

In a significant maritime development, the cargo vessel Alma has successfully transported 2,000 tons of fin whale meat from Iceland, arriving at the bustling port of Osaka, Japan, this morning. The Alma set sail from Hafnarfjörður, a port city in West Iceland, on March 20. While the specifics of its fuel and supply acquisition during the journey remain unclear, reports suggest a possible stop at Port Louis in Mauritius. Originally, the ship was slated for refueling at Durban, South Africa, but opted to bypass the port amid mounting protests against its controversial cargo. Activists from Greenpeace urged the South African government to deny the ship access and called on other African ports to follow suit, garnering significant public support; a petition against the vessel received over 21,000 signatures. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding whaling practices and international shipping routes.

The MV Alma is finally free to depart from Fáskrúðsfjörður, located in eastern Iceland, following a prolonged grounding incident that began in early November. The vessel, which became stranded due to a steering malfunction at the entrance of Hornafjörður on November 9, 2011, is now in the process of transshipping its cargo. Initial challenges arose after the Alma was towed into the harbor, with the ship barred from leaving until its operator provided appropriate collateral to cover the costs incurred during the rescue operation. A resolution has now been achieved regarding the collateral, allowing operations to move forward. Once the cargo transfer is completed, Alma’s sister ship, the Green Lofoten, is set to continue its journey to St. Petersburg, with unshipping finalized on November 24. Following this, the Alma will head to a shipyard for essential repairs to its steering gear, although the specific repair location has yet to be determined.