What Crew Members Say About G-Poseidon

While attention is focused on the Hoegh Osaka, another vessel has found itself immobilized in Southampton waters. The G Poseidon, a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vehicle carrier, has been stuck at the Southampton docks for an entire week due to sustained damage from a hull breach. Reports indicate that the vessel encountered rough seas, during which some of its cargo shifted, resulting in the unfortunate breach. Built in 2011, the 72,408-ton G Poseidon is managed by the South Korean firm Doriko. The ship successfully docked at 7 AM last Friday, where it is currently undergoing a thorough assessment to determine the extent of the damage and the necessary repairs. A dock source mentioned, "Some high heavy cargo broke free during the rough weather, causing the structural issues we are now addressing." The last recorded port of call for the 232-meter-long vessel was Durban, South Africa, although it remains unclear if this was its point of origin at the time of the incident.

Recent rulings from the courts have mandated two separate ships owned by Panama-registered shipping companies to settle significant financial dues owed to local enterprises, a bank, and sailors. In a notable case, one vessel, the 'A LADYBUG', was instructed to disburse €617,279 to a bank and four local oil suppliers, while another ship, the 'B LADYBUG', was ordered to compensate 22 sailors to the tune of €43,152. The legal action for the first case was initiated by Dr. Ann Fenech, acting on behalf of Macquire Bank Limited along with Salvo Grima & Sons Limited, San Lucian Oil Company Limited, Island Bunker Oils Limited, and Cassar Petroleum Services Limited. The claim against the 'A LADYBUG', owned by 'A Ladybug Corporation', included a demand for €70,362 to cover unpaid labor provided by 12 crew members. Macquire Bank Ltd further incurred expenses, including €123,435 to the Transport Authority, €74,950 for docking permits in Malta, and €48,485 for emergency bunker fuel supply. After the shipping company failed to address the payment requests from the involved parties, Judge Mark Chetcuti ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, mandating fulfillment of the claimed amounts. In a parallel development, Judge Anthony Ellul ordered the parent corporation of 'B LADYBUG' to remit €43,152 to the crew members owing to their unpaid labor. The case was brought forth by Paul Falzon from the International Transport Workers’ Federation, who stated that although the company had consented to settle the amount, payment had not been executed. Following the company's neglect to respond to the payment deadlines, Judge Ellul granted the crew's request for compensation. These court decisions underline the ongoing issues within the shipping industry regarding fair compensation, reinforcing the necessity for shipping companies to honor contractual obligations to their crew and local suppliers.

In a significant maritime transaction, a notable vessel has been officially sold to GMT for a staggering sum of $56 million. This deal marks another milestone in the ever-evolving landscape of the maritime industry, showcasing ongoing investment trends and the changing dynamics of vessel ownership. The details surrounding the ship and its future operations will be closely watched by industry professionals as the market continues to adapt and transform.