Modern Express: Are there any stowaways on board?
Press Release Modern Express no.3
Track records suggest that stowaways wishing to immigrate and access to northern European ports try to board in West African ports, with or without the complicity of port agents and crew.
The French ports that are mostly targeted with such often tragic attempts are Marseille, Sète, la Rochelle, Nantes-Saint Nazaire, le Havre and Rouen.
Owendo timber port in Gabon – the departure port of the Modern Express – is known to be a gathering place for immigrants coming from a number of West African countries and trying to get to Europe.
Where is she going?
Press Release Modern Express no.2
The amended European Union Directive of June 27, 2002 asks all member States to establish plans to accomodate ships in distress in their ports or in any other protected area in the best possible conditions.
The Modern Express is currently under tow and is heading further out to sea. It is understandable that the French maritime authorities initially wish to keep her away from an inhospitable coastline.
Nevertheless, in order to avoid a shipwreck in the middle of the sea, or a potential sinking of the vessel in the Bay of Biscay, it is essential to designate a place of refuge where the salvage teams could benefit from better weather and technical conditions necessary to correct the list of the Modern Express. The vessel is currently in waters under French jurisdiction.
The solitary journey of the Modern Express
The scenario of the ship that refuses to sink is a familiar situation for rescue teams and maritime authorities since the Liberty Ship Flying Entreprise ran adrift in the English Channel in the winter of 1952. A notable difference with the Modern Express is that the master stayed on board till the very end, until he was evacuated, following 15 days of drift and futile efforts to restore the stability of the vessel.
Although relatively recently built, a number of deficiencies have been reported on the Modern Express in the Port of Antwerp since 2012.
“Shipbreaking #42”, from October 1 to December 31, 2015
Quarterly bulletin of information and analysis on ship demolition # 42
from October 1 to December 31, 2015 pdf 63 pages. 11 Mo
+
Overview and analysis on 10 years of “Shipbreaking” bulletin
and 16 outstanding ex-ships
Shipbreaking, 2015 record
2015, the year of Bangladesh, bulkers go for slaughter, the industry for purgatory
Tons and $
766 ships demolished in 2015, i.e. a 21% drop compared to 2014. The scrap tonnage was 7 million tons, it was 8 million tons in 2014. This has been the weakest year since 2010 for the demolition business. Turbulence in the Top 5: decline in Pakistan and Turkey, drop in India, collapse in China and boom in Bangladesh. With a 47% increase, it is taking the lead after 6 years of Indian reign. 2015 is the year of Bangladesh. The Top 5 absorbed 95% of the demolished ships.
Corrida in Antarctica
Unfortunately the truce is over. The Japanese matadors wearing again their glaucous muletas and fitted with their scientific spears are going for the whales from December 2015 to March 2016, the austral summer. The hunting permit granted by the Minister of Fisheries, Hiroshi Moriyama, authorizes explosive harpoons and if necessary cold harpoons and rifles. Depending on sea conditions, visibility, shooting distance and the first affected organs, the 3 ammunitions are useful and are compatible. One explosive harpoon shot is made. Residues of penthrite (PETN) and overpressure of the explosive within the whale make inedible 300 to 500 kg of meat.
