Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Mekele

In a significant development marking a new chapter in East African relations, an Ethiopian commercial vessel made its inaugural docking at an Eritrean port in 20 years on Wednesday. The Mekele, as reported by state-affiliated media, arrived at the Red Sea port of Massawa, slated to transport an impressive 11,000 tonnes of Eritrean zinc to China. This event signals a remarkable thaw in relations between the two historically rival nations. The move towards reconciliation follows Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's commitment to peace shortly after taking office in April, part of sweeping reforms that have reshaped the political landscape in Ethiopia and beyond. As a landlocked country, Ethiopia is prioritizing the reopening of two vital overland routes to Eritrea’s ports, highlighting its dedication to fostering cooperation. Adding to the bilateral efforts, Eritrea’s information minister, Yemane Ghebremeskel, confirmed via Twitter that Abiy is on a two-day working visit to Eritrea, during which he will tour both Massawa and the capital, Asmara. This visit follows Abiy's landmark trip to Eritrea in July, where both nations agreed to put an end to a military standoff that had persisted for two decades over border disputes and other longstanding issues.

On April 1, 2018, at 9 a.m., the bulk carrier 'Mekele' encountered a technical malfunction while navigating the southern entrance of the Canakkale Strait during its ballast journey from Djibouti to Odessa. As a precautionary measure, the Strait authority has temporarily revoked the vessel’s permission to transit until essential repairs are fully completed. The crew initiated repair work and the 'Mekele' remained anchored approximately 5.03 miles from Bozcaada, specifically at the coordinates 39°53'57.62"N, 25°59'57.78"E, as of April 2. The vessel successfully completed its repairs and docked in Odessa on April 5.