What Crew Members Say About Anglo-Alexandria

On January 4, 2018, a major incident unfolded on the Mississippi River when the bulk carrier 'Anglo Alexandria' ran aground in the Cubit’s Gap area, specifically at position 29° 11.87' N, 089° 16.22' W. The grounding occurred at river mile 3.5 above the Head of Passes, effectively blocking the channel and leading to a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) measure that closed the river to navigation. As a result, all vessels were instructed to halt their movements, while those unable to stop were required to proceed with heightened caution. The situation caused considerable disruption, with over 50 vessels stranded and waiting to transit the river. This backlog was exacerbated by the dense fog conditions that had persisted in the region for several days leading up to the incident. Tugs 'Mardi Gras' (MMSI: 367716330) and 'Louisiana' (IMO: 8423947) were dispatched to assist in refloating the stranded vessel. Once the 'Anglo Alexandria' was successfully freed from its grounding, it made its way out of the Delta and secured a mooring at East Bay Anchorage. The vessel was en route from Plaquemines Parish Port to Suez, with an estimated time of arrival set for January 22.

In a significant milestone for maritime operations, the neopanamax dry bulk carrier Baroque successfully navigated the newly constructed Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal yesterday. This transit marks the first of its kind through the expanded locks, serving as part of an essential series of training exercises ahead of the grand inauguration of the expanded canal scheduled for June 26. The Baroque, a noteworthy vessel measuring 255 meters in length and 43 meters in beam, arrived in Panama this week specifically for this purpose. Contracted by the Panama Canal Authority, the Baroque will undergo multiple lock transits to facilitate testing and training, highlighting the canal's increased capacity and its readiness to accommodate larger vessels. This landmark event demonstrates the advancements in global shipping and the pivotal role that the Panama Canal continues to play in international trade.

The Panamanian maritime landscape is set for a new chapter as the Baby Cape size dry bulk carrier, Baroque, embarks on daily transit trials through the newly constructed Atlantic-facing Agua Clara locks of the Panama Canal. This initiative precedes the highly anticipated opening of the Canal’s expansion in June, as confirmed by Peter Pusztai, the Panama Canal Pilot Training Coordinator, in a recent industry newsletter. Pusztai stated, 'The vessel will serve a crucial role as it performs multiple daily lockages through the newly inaugurated Atlantic locks.' These trials not only aim to assess the functionality of the new locks but also provide valuable training for pilots, tugboat operators, and deck officers to adapt to operations within the expanded Canal. Baroque is scheduled to arrive at the Panama Canal on June 7. According to data from S&P Global Platts' trade flow software, cFlow, Baroque departed from Vadinar, India, on May 2 and is on track to reach Durban, South Africa, by May 16. The vessel, constructed in 2011, boasts a deadweight tonnage of 114,248 and measures 255 meters in length with a beam of 43 meters, making it well-suited for these significant trials.