Container ships are bombs (bis)
A fireball and shock waves felt up to 25 km from Jebel Ali Port, near Dubai, United Arab Emirates, woke up and worried residents on the evening of Wednesday July 7, 2021. Firefighters responded to prevent the fire from spreading to other vessels, in particular the GFS Giselle, a 240 m long container ship.
What future for the Christos XXIV and the Varzuga ?
Update June 18, 2021
The Christos XXIV returned to sea on Tuesday 15 June at 5pm heading to Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain). The 50 year old tug, her 8 Filipino sailors and her 2 Greek officers stayed in Le Havre for 1 month and 8 days.
The Christos XXIV left alone, leaving the Varzuga at Joannès Couvert wharf. Discussions are still ongoing between the owner of the old Russian ship, the maritime authorities and a French demolition yard. The Varzuga will have to be accompanied in the demolition yard by her green passport, which she lacked when she left Murmansk. The green passport is a map with an estimate of the quantities of hazardous materials on the ship at the end of her life.
The Varzuga’s detention should end within 10-15 days.
