Working Conditions Aboard the Supra-Pasha

On October 22, 2019, at 7 a.m., the vessel 'GDF Suez North Sea' successfully reberthed at berth No. 21, West Wharf, Karachi Port. This return marks the conclusion of a dispute involving the parties associated with the vessel, paving the way for further operations at one of Pakistan's busiest ports.

In a significant development in maritime affairs, the vessel 'GDF Suez North Sea' faced arrest in Karachi on October 4, 2019. This action was taken as a result of escalating financial disputes between the ship's representatives and the cargo owners. As of October 10, the vessel continued to be anchored at its position of 24° 38.30' N and 066° 55.15' E, highlighting the ongoing challenges in resolving the financial issues at hand. The situation underscores the complexities involved in shipping operations and the implications of financial disagreements in the maritime industry.

In a remarkable maritime operation, the US Coast Guard successfully coordinated the tow of the bulk carrier 'GDF Suez Northsea' into the port of New York and New Jersey after the vessel lost propulsion more than 100 miles off the coast in the Atlantic Ocean on August 21, 2018. The Coast Guard New York received an alert around 9:00 p.m. regarding the ship, which had 21 crew members on board, marked as disabled. Over the following days, the Coast Guard closely monitored the situation while the crew endeavored to resolve the propulsion issues. By the night of August 23, the crew recognized they could not restore functionality to the propulsion system, prompting the Coast Guard to organize an offshore salvage operation. An HC-144A Ocean Sentry aircraft from Air Station Cape Cod arrived on scene at 10:45 a.m. on August 24, where it established communication with the crew and assessed the vessel’s status. In a proactive response, the owner of 'GDF Suez Northsea' dispatched the tug 'Atlantic Salvor' from New York Harbor to rendezvous with the disabled bulk carrier well over 100 miles offshore and begin the tow. This operation commenced around 12:30 p.m. as the 'Atlantic Salvor' navigated towards New York, with Coast Guard Sector New York personnel closely monitoring the transit through busy offshore shipping lanes. Upon reaching Ambrose Channel, the Coast Guard orchestrated the deployment of at least three additional tugs to safely tow the disabled vessel into New York Harbor, ultimately guiding it to its berth in Newark. On August 26, the Vessel Traffic Service meticulously coordinated this intricate towing operation while Coast Guard personnel from Station New York ensured a safety escort throughout the transit. The 'GDF Suez Northsea,' which was transporting cement from Elvesis, successfully docked in Newark at 6:15 p.m. The investigation into the cause of the vessel's propulsion failure is currently underway. For additional details, please refer to the complete report with accompanying photos at the Coast Guard news site.