Padmanabh Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On June 8, 2019, at 07:20 a.m., the 'Asphalt Trader' encountered a significant power failure as it was leaving the oil refinery berth in Paramaribo, Suriname. This unfortunate incident was attributed to sea suctions that became obstructed by river mud. Shortly thereafter, the vessel's anchor was dropped, and it was noted that the bow struck a concrete and steel jetty during the allision. Although the damage was minor, consisting of paint scratches above the waterline on the bow, the ship had to anchor in the Suriname River while awaiting the results of an inspection and necessary compensation approvals. By June 24, an agreement was reached regarding repairs to the damaged jetty, and the corresponding payment was made. Subsequently, the Port Authority permitted the 'Asphalt Trader' to return to port to load additional fuel products, and the vessel was cleared for departure from Suriname.

The asphalt carrier, known as the Asphalt Trader, made its long-anticipated departure from the Port of Baltimore this past Saturday, marking the conclusion of a prolonged detention related to safety issues. The vessel was held due to multiple discrepancies identified during port state control inspections carried out in 2016 and 2017. A dedicated inspection team from Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region Port State Control undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the Asphalt Trader, which was formerly known as the Newlead Granadino, in late July 2017. Following a meticulous review, the Coast Guard successfully received all necessary documentation, confirming that the ship has been restored to a state of safety and is now cleared to continue its journey from Baltimore.

On May 31, 2017, the last six crew members of the 18-member team aboard the "Newlead Granadino" were finally repatriated to the Philippines after enduring nearly nine months of confinement on the stranded vessel in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. The asphalt tanker originally encountered severe engine troubles after its arrival in Baltimore on September 20, 2016. Following the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard detained the ship until necessary repairs could be arranged. Due to financial constraints, the ship's original owner, NewLead, was unable to fund the repairs. Consequently, the bank holding the mortgage on the vessel stepped in and took ownership. Following this transition, the ship was sold to Eurotankers, Inc., with the sale officially closing on the same day the crew was sent home. A representative from Eurotankers, Inc. has indicated that repairs to the vessel are anticipated to take approximately one month, with the ship expected to resume operations under its new name, "Asphalt Trader." The conditions faced by the sailors aboard the "Newlead Granadino" were dire, particularly in the initial weeks post-stranding when provisions began to diminish. As supplies of food and water dwindled, the crew resorted to fishing to sustain themselves. Additionally, they dealt with a malfunctioning boiler during the harsh winter months. Efforts from the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center were pivotal in supporting the crew throughout this challenging ordeal. Local community members, including the Urban Pirates and various restaurants, also rallied to provide food and assistance to the sailors. This incident serves as a stark reminder that ships can be marooned in harbors for extended durations, sparking compassion and support from both local and international communities.