Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Squireship

On the evening of March 14, 2018, a helicopter tragedy unfolded approximately 30 kilometers off the coast of Port Hedland, Western Australia. A Mackay Helicopters Airbus EC135P2+ (VH-ZGA) met a devastating fate when it reportedly plunged into the ocean while approaching the bulk iron ore carrier, MV SQUIRESHIP, around 2330 local time. The aircraft was tasked with retrieving a marine pilot after the vessel had departed Port Hedland en route to Qingdao, China shortly before, at about 2130 local time. In the aftermath of the crash, one of the two crew members managed to be rescued from a life raft approximately an hour after the incident; however, the other pilot remains unaccounted for. This tragic event underscores the dangers faced by maritime operations, particularly during nighttime hours.

In a recent development, a new charter has been secured for the transportation of 170,000 tons of iron ore from Dampier to Qingdao. The deal, which was struck at a freight rate of $8.10 per ton on a free-in-and-out (fio) basis, involves a scale load. The vessel is scheduled to discharge 30,000 tons as shinc between October 20 and October 22. The shipment is part of operations facilitated by Rio Tinto, ensuring a continuous supply of vital resources to the market.

In a recent development in the shipping industry, Cargill has successfully arranged a new trip charter for a substantial 170,000 tons of ore. The shipment is set to move from Tubarão to Qingdao at a freight rate of $12.67 per ton, with a scheduled timeline over three days for the shinc operation. Discharge is planned for 30,000 tons at a time. This charter is projected to take place from August 1 to August 10, providing a crucial supply chain link for the ore sector. Stay tuned for further updates on this significant maritime operation.