Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Hua-Sheng-Hai

In a dramatic session at the High Court, Captain Joaquin Maria Antelo Madale, who helmed the fishing trawler Kirrixhi, testified regarding a maritime collision that occurred on October 11, 2019. Captain Madale reported that he was unaware of the bulk carrier Hua Sheng Hai sounding any warning signals prior to the incident, which took place approximately 24 nautical miles northwest of Inishtearagh Lighthouse near the Blasket Islands around midnight. At the time of the collision, the bulk carrier, laden with a hefty 44,000-tonne cargo of bauxite, was en route to Aughinish Alumina in Limerick. The ship’s owners, Hua Sheng Hai Ltd, which charters the vessel from a subsidiary of the Chinese group Cosco, alleged that the trawler’s captain was not maintaining a proper lookout, referring to the incident as an example of substandard watchkeeping. In response, MV Rochelaise de Peche SA, the operator of the Kirrixhi, countered that the Hua Sheng Hai failed to adequately monitor the area and neglected to follow the maritime regulations that prioritize the right of way for fishing vessels. Captain Madale, now 59, provided evidence via video link through a Spanish interpreter, sharing insights into the operations aboard the Kirrixhi, which suffered damage from a fire shortly after the incident while under repair in Spain. He explained how he was actively supervising a crucial and potentially dangerous procedure involving the deployment of 650 meters of fishing cable. The trawler had its “not under command” lights activated while drifting for repairs and switched to “at fishing” lights as it began operations. Remarkably, Captain Madale stated that there were no communications received from the merchant vessel despite operating on the international radio channels. He emphasized that under maritime law, the bulk carrier was required to yield to the fishing vessel, a standard he claimed was disregarded during the encounter. During cross-examination, questions arose about the look-out procedures aboard the Kirrixhi, given that all ten crew members were involved in the fishing activity. When pressed about the dangers of the situation, Captain Madale maintained that there were no boats in sight when they began setting their gear. The counsel for the Hua Sheng Hai suggested that Captain Madale should have spotted the bulk carrier, to which he acknowledged the possibility, asserting that if he had seen it, he would have attempted to maneuver the trawler accordingly. Earlier in the evening, he noted having seen the merchant ship from seven miles away and assumed it was also aware of the Kirrixhi's presence. This ongoing case continues to shed light on the complexities of maritime safety regulations and the accountability of both the fishing and shipping industries.

In the early hours of October 12, 2019, the bulk carrier 'Hua Sheng Hai' encountered a serious incident with the French trawler 'Kirrixki' while navigating the waters off the Kerry coast. The collision occurred at approximately 1 a.m. as the 'Hua Sheng Hai' was journeying from Mindelo to Aughinish Alumina. Reports indicate that the trawler sustained significant damage to its bow, resulting in injuries to one of its crew members who required hospital treatment. Following the accident, the Valentia Coast Guard took prompt action, dispatching the Valentia RNLI all-weather lifeboat at 1:17 a.m. to assist the injured fisherman. At the time of the incident, the trawler was located 37 miles northwest of Valentia, amidst challenging sea conditions with a four-meter swell and south-west winds blowing at force three to four. The lifeboat crew conducted a thorough assessment of both the fishermen's condition and the weather realities, ultimately deciding that the safest course was to escort the damaged vessel back to Dingle Harbour. Upon arrival, the volunteer crew collaborated with the National Ambulance Service to carefully immobilize and transfer the injured fisherman to the ambulance for immediate medical care. The fisherman was subsequently taken to University Hospital Kerry for further treatment. The rescue mission lasted approximately seven hours, showcasing the dedication and professionalism of the RNLI volunteers. As of October 17, the trawler remained anchored in Dingle. Meanwhile, the bulk carrier 'Hua Sheng Hai' was recorded anchored off Kilrush, to the west of Aughinish, at coordinates 52° 35.71' N 009° 35.80' W, awaiting its turn to dock. Notably, it began discharging its cargo in the port of Foynes from October 28 until November 3 at 6 p.m. For more details, visit the RNLI report: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2019/october/12/valentia-rnli-comes-to-the-aid-of-fisherman-following-collision.

The Cape Passero has officially entered into a new time charter agreement, commanding a rate of $17,250 for a trading period of 4 to 6 months. This charter is a relet from Agricore and has now been officially secured by EFE. Industry insiders anticipate that this deal will strengthen EFE’s positioning in the market.