What Crew Members Say About Pelagos

La Méridionale, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM group, has successfully finalized the sale of the 'Pelagos' ferry to an Egyptian company, with the transaction set for completion in the spring. Before the handover, the vessel will undergo essential maintenance at dock 10 in Marseille from January 7 to January 13, 2025, specifically to address issues with its bow thruster. During this period, the ferry 'Kalliste' will temporarily substitute for 'Pelagos' on the Marseille - Tangier route until January 18. Following repairs, 'Pelagos' will resume service briefly before its transition to the new ownership. Acquired in late 2019, the ropax vessel struggled to carve out its niche, leading to its sale, while the 'Normandie' from the Brittany Ferries fleet will take its place in operations.

The L’Association Unitaire des Propriétaires de Transports de Marchandises Autonomes de l’Est has issued a strong denunciation regarding a maritime accident that transpired on December 7 onboard the vessel 'Pelagos,' operated by the company 'La Méridionale.' Authorized by the Moroccan government, 'La Méridionale' has been facilitating the transport of both passengers and goods between the port of Tangier and various European ports. The association criticized the crew for apparent gross negligence, particularly for their failure to ensure the proper securing of trucks and cars onboard, thus compromising safety. This incident represents a severe breach of professional responsibility, putting lives and property at significant risk. This unfortunate event is not an isolated occurrence for 'La Méridionale'; it is part of a troubling pattern of incidents that have plagued the company since its inception. Despite ongoing complaints from industry representatives urging improvements in maritime safety, the same errors persist without any substantive action from relevant authorities. Such negligence not only affirms the Moroccan government's inadequate oversight in ensuring maritime transport safety but also highlights the critical link between this sector and citizens' rights. The association holds the Ministry of Transport and Logistics accountable for its inaction regarding passenger and freight transportation safety. Unlike the continuous accidents and safety oversights, effective preventive measures remain absent. As part of its response, the organization calls for accountability across the board, demanding that those responsible for this accident, from the ship's crew to government officials, be held liable. They have insisted on launching a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. Furthermore, fair and comprehensive compensation is sought for all affected by the accident, including truck owners and individuals experiencing delays and disruptions as a result. The L’Association Unitaire des Propriétaires de Transports de Marchandises Autonomes de l’Est is advocating for urgent measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future. To view a report with photographs from the site of the accident, follow this link: https://fr.hibapress.com/news-153273.html.

On December 7, 2024, the ferry 'Pelagos' experienced a significant mechanical failure while navigating through severe weather conditions on its route from Tangier to Marseille. As the vessel neared the maritime border between France and Spain, it encountered a fierce storm characterized by high winds and turbulent waves, which exacerbated the situation. The malfunction affected one of the ferry's engines, leaving it unable to effectively maneuver through the treacherous waters, resulting in dangerous pitching and severe damage to vehicles, trucks, and cars aboard. After several hours of intense effort, Spanish authorities intervened, allowing the 'Pelagos' to safely dock at Barcelona's Terminal de Transmediterranée on December 8 at 5:30 a.m. UTC. The ferry resumed its journey and departed from Barcelona on December 9 at 5:50 a.m., finally reaching its destination, Marseille, by 7:00 a.m. on December 10.