Working Conditions Aboard the Baltic-Performer

On May 28, 2019, the refrigerated cargo vessel "Baltic Performer" was detained upon arriving in Campana. This action followed a court ruling concerning outstanding debt claims filed by San Pedro Port against Baltic Shipping, the ship's managing company. The situation traces back to July 2018 when the ship's master requested additional crew members and extended loading hours due to a week's delay caused by adverse weather and a malfunctioning crane. Although these requests were fulfilled, a payment of $60,000 has yet to be settled. Notably, the "Baltic Performer" was not the vessel directly implicated in the debt, leading to a provisional detention of a sister ship instead. The ship will remain in custody until either the debt along with court fees is resolved or a suitable deposit is made to secure its release.

After a brief pause to address cargo stability issues, the refrigerated vessel 'Baltic Performer' has resumed its voyage. The ship departed from Brest at 9:30 PM on October 27, 2023, and is now en route to Dakar, where it is expected to arrive on November 2, 2023. The successful securing of the cargo was essential for the vessel’s safe passage and timely delivery.

On October 21, 2017, the reefer vessel 'Baltic Performer' encountered perilous conditions in the Bay of Biscay, approximately 112 miles south of Penmarc'h, Brittany. Struck by severe weather, the 6,120-ton cargo of vegetables, stacked on pallets, shifted perilously, resulting in a concerning 15-degree list to the port side. The crew requested assistance the following morning, October 22. Responding promptly, the emergency tug 'Abeille Bourbon' was dispatched from Camaret at 7 p.m., reaching the troubled vessel by 2 a.m. the next day. Together, they navigated towards safety in Brest. Originating from Flushing on October 19, the Baltic Performer was en route to Dakar with a crew of 25 amidst daunting maritime conditions, including wind speeds reaching force 7 on the Beaufort scale and substantial swells of 6 to 9 meters. For additional details and visuals, refer to the French report [here](https://www.ouest-france.fr/bretagne/quimper-29000/un-cargo-en-difficulte-au-large-de-penmarc-h-samedi-5331091).