Reviews & Ratings for the Onego-Duero

On December 29, 2025, the cargo vessel 'Onego Duero' encountered a significant issue when it lost its bow anchor in the St. Lawrence River, close to Charlton Island. The ship promptly contacted the Seaway authorities, raising alarms about the situation. Although operations had been temporarily halted for the Seaway pilot boat, a pilot was dispatched to assist the vessel before 5 p.m. Upon assessment, it was decided to relocate 'Onego Duero' from its anchorage, which was crowded with multiple other vessels, especially since the windlass for the secondary anchor also malfunctioned. By approximately 6:10 p.m., the 'Onego Duero' set sail, being the only vessel navigating west of Massena at that moment, with the pilot onboard steering towards Lake Ontario. However, concerns lingered about the implications of losing the bow anchor, particularly the uncertainty regarding the operability of the stern anchor. Subsequently, on January 3, 2026, the 'Onego Duero' faced another setback with an engine failure while en route to Hamilton. The following day, January 4, the vessel anchored at coordinates 44° 12' N, 076° 16' W, as it awaited further instructions and repairs.

Meriaura has announced the expansion of its fleet with the addition of five new time charter agreements. Among the new arrivals are a deck cargo carrier, two multipurpose heavy-lift dry cargo vessels, and two traditional dry bulk carriers. According to the company’s recent press release, the M/S Enough Talk, a deck cargo carrier similar in type and size to Meriaura's existing vessels Aura and Meri, will significantly boost the company’s cargo capacity. This enhancement positions Meriaura favorably within the demanding project cargo sector throughout Northern Europe. The increase in capacity offers greater flexibility within services, allowing certain assets to be allocated to extended project timelines. Notably, the multipurpose heavy-lift vessels M/S Antonia (formerly known as Pietro Benedotti) and M/S Antje come equipped with dual heavy-lift cranes, making them ideal for transporting project cargo. These cranes have an impressive lifting capability of up to 160 tons and the vessels are designed with tweendecks that optimize their cargo capacity. The dimensions of these vessels enable the transportation of bulkier items, such as wind turbine components that have seen substantial growth in size recently. With cargo capacities approximating 8,500 and 7,900 tonnes and 12,000 cubic meters respectively, these vessels are not only suitable for heavy-lift projects but also for bulk freight operations. Meriaura initiated its ventures in the 8,000-ton segment with the M/S Airisto last autumn, and with the initiation of these new contracts, the company significantly enhances its tonnage in this larger capacity sector.

In a significant maritime transaction, a vessel with Ice Class 1A certification has been successfully sold to buyers from Finland for €5.9 million. This acquisition highlights the growing demand for ice-class ships in the region, showcasing the Finnish buyers' commitment to enhancing their fleet with capable vessels designed for challenging icy waters.

The cargo vessel 'Pietro Benedetti', which was transporting petcoke, recently encountered an engine failure while navigating near the Azores. Following this setback, the vessel was towed to Praia do Vitoria for a week of thorough investigations. Once the assessments were complete, 'Pietro Benedetti' was subsequently moved to La Coruna. After a successful transshipment of its cargo with other vessels, the ship docked in Vigo on October 10 for essential repairs, ensuring its readiness for future voyages.