Working Conditions Aboard the Jolly-Bianco

In a landmark decision, a Belgian maritime pilot, aged 52, was acquitted by Police Judge L. Louwerse for his role in a bow wave incident on the Western Scheldt. The occurrence took place on August 30, 2022, when the pilot was navigating the vessel known as the 'MSC Geneva', which currently operates under the name 'Jolly Bianco', as it made its way toward the North Sea. The Public Prosecution Service alleged that the pilot was navigating at an excessive speed, resulting in a hazardous bow wave that struck the inland vessel 'Ludovica' (MMSI: 244690902), causing significant damage. Prosecutor M. Nieuwenhuis contended that the pilot failed to adequately assess the situation or reduce the vessel's speed, despite receiving warnings from the Hansweert traffic control post and reports from nearby skippers. It was stated that the speed during the turn at Hansweert was already deemed dangerously high, which necessitated a more judicious approach to navigation. A fine of 500 euros was proposed by the prosecution as a settlement for the incident. Detractors questioned the pilot’s decision during a court hearing. The pilot defended his actions by asserting that there were no visible vessels nearby, stating that other ships had safely traversed the area, and that the 'Ludovica' was not promptly spotted until close to the waterway. He maintained that the radar information did not identify the vessel posing a potential hazard. The pilot’s legal representative, Counsel M. van der Bent, argued that there had been no explicit reason to decrease speed, noting that the 'Ludovica' was overloaded with steel, rendering it more susceptible to wave impact. Defense counsel underscored the pilot's excellent track record over 15 years of service as a river pilot. Although the 'Ludovica' sustained water damage to its cargo and its printer, the vessel's skipper chose not to pursue claims for damages. In a poignant moment during his closing statement, the pilot expressed the burden he felt due to the stigma of being labeled as exhibiting 'bad seamanship.' The judge sided with the defense's viewpoint, highlighting the absence of specific information regarding the inland vessel, such as its draft, which created uncertainty about the incident. Notably, no damage was reported from other vessels navigating that bend, leading to the pilot's relief upon acquittal. Colleagues and supporters stood by him in court, while the Russian captain of the 'MSC Geneva' opted to settle the matter independently, paying the proposed fine of 500 euros.

German maritime company REEDEREI NSB has announced the successful completion of an innovative project aimed at widening three of its containerships. The initial vessel to undergo this transformative modification, the MSC Geneva, was expertly widened at the HRDD shipyard in China. This cutting-edge project is set to elevate the TEU capacity of these ships by an impressive 20%, significantly enhancing their stability. Remarkably, the operating costs are projected to remain unchanged, offering a smart solution for modern shipping challenges. Furthermore, the widening modification has enabled the vessels to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) that rivals that of newly constructed ships. For a detailed photo report of this milestone project, visit http://gcaptain.com/innovative-containership-widening-project-completed-photos/