As we leave the year 2023 behind, it is worth reminding everyone of the articles that got the most attention, the interviews of the year and the Editor’s picks. The Project Cargo Journal team wishes everyone a happy and prosperous 2024.

Published July 26

One dead, several injured in fire onboard Fremantle Highway car carrier

One crew member died and several others were injured as fire broke out on Fremantle Highway PCTC sailing in the North Sea, some 27 kilometres north of Ameland, The Netherlands. The Dutch Kustwacht (Coast Guard) received a distress call around midnight.

Published January 3

MV Onego Traveller sinks off the coast of the Bahamas

The general cargo vessel, MV Onego Traveller sank off the coast of Bahamas, near the Hole in the Wall lighthouse, South Abaco.

The Bahamas Ministry of Transport and Housing informed that the vessel started taking in water in one of its ballast tanks and that due to the adverse weather conditions, attempts to beach the vessel to a nearby sandbank to remove fuel and conduct repairs proved unsuccessful.

Published March 14

SHV puts Mammoet up for sale

Following a strategy update process, the family-owned SHV, has decided to explore the potential of divestment of the heavy lift and transport specialist, Mammoet. SHV is also looking to divest the industrial service provider ERIKS.

While reviewing its overall composition, SHV has come to the conclusion that supporting all eight groups under its ownership simultaneously in realising their full potential and ambitions is not the best way forward.

Published June 13

BBC Weser deemed unsafe and banned from Australian waters

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Antigua Barbuda-flagged general cargo ship BBC Weser from Australian waters for 90 days. The authority notes that the vessel, operated by Briese Heavylift GmbH & Co was banned for being in an unsafe and unseaworthy condition, as well and unacceptable risk to Australia’s precious marine and coastal environment.

Published May 1

A U-17 submarine heads for Speyer

A U-17, class 206A submarine with a length of about 48 metres has arrived in Dordrecht and will soon be passing through Rotterdam. On the morning of May 2, between 8:00 and 9:00, the vessel passed under the famous Erasmus Bridge as it made its way to Speyer in Germany.

The vessel is heading for the Technik Museum Sinsheim Speyer where it will reside as an exhibition object. Royal Van der Wees Group from Dordrecht has transported the submarine U-17 from Kiel through the North Baltic Sea Canal and across the North Sea on behalf of Spedition Kübler and the Technik Museum Sinsheim Speyer.