What Crew Members Say About Amsterdam-Express

U.S. Coast Guard investigators boarded the 'Rotterdam Express' at the Port of Oakland on October 6, 2021, as part of an inquiry into a significant oil spill that occurred off the coast of Orange County, south of Los Angeles. The German container ship was identified through satellite imagery as the nearest vessel to the oil pipeline involved in the spill just prior to the incident. Hapag-Lloyd, the parent company of 'Rotterdam Express', acknowledged that while the ship was anchored near the spill site, it was still 'quite far from the pipeline' itself. Company spokesman Nils Haupt expressed confidence in their innocence regarding the incident, stating, "As it stands, we do not believe we have any involvement with the spill." Investigations indicated that the aging pipeline, which is over 40 years old, may have shifted over time, potentially due to the anchoring of other vessels nearby. Coast Guard examinations revealed that the pipeline had moved more than 30 meters along the seabed, resulting in a 33-centimeter breach that caused the release of approximately 500,000 liters of oil into the sea. Despite ongoing cleanup efforts by ships, aircraft, and onshore teams, the ecological impact has been severe, leading to a temporary fishing ban in the area. The spill, noted on October 2, happened roughly five miles offshore from Huntington Beach and is estimated to have released around 3,000 barrels of crude oil. Following the investigation, the 'Rotterdam Express' was cleared to depart Oakland on October 7.

On January 27, 2018, the container ship 'Rotterdam Express' notified Colombian Maritime Authorities of unauthorized individuals aboard shortly after departing from Cartagena and en route to Caucedo. In response, the Colombian Coast Guard and Navy dispatched teams to the vessel, which slowed its speed for safety reasons. Commandos, along with immigration and police units, conducted a critical boarding operation and discovered ten individuals dressed in black who had illicitly boarded during the ship's stop in Cartagena. Upon further inspection of the cargo, authorities uncovered a staggering 185 kilograms of pure cocaine hidden within shipping containers. Among the detained suspects, one was identified as a convicted criminal. While the container ship resumed its journey at a slower pace, the investigation continued, with officials strongly suspecting a link between the intruders and the drugs recovered. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in maritime drug trafficking and the vigilance of maritime authorities. For more insights, watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv9Z8NMoU3w