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Nicolas Hondos News

20 Feb 2001

'Safe Haven' Debate Could Have Resounding Effects

A situation ongoing at press time half way around the world promises to affect the way in which ship emergencies are handled in the U.S. and abroad. Last month, debates were raging and political fur was flying as the stricken tanker, Castor, carrying 29,000 tons of gasoline, was held in limbo as authorities on many levels debated the best course of action. The ship, which was damaged but still afloat and operational, was turned away from three countries — Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar — as it went to for assistance. Greek operator Athenian Sea Carriers said that the Moroccan Coast Guard instructed the vessel to move 40 miles offshore…

08 Jan 2001

IMO Calls For Ship Safe Haven Measure

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) called on Monday for measures to ensure refuge for troubled ships like the Greek tanker Castor, which was last week turned away from three countries it went to for assistance, Reuters reported. "The time has come for the organization ... to adopt any measures required to ensure tha t... coastal states review their contingency arrangements so that disabled ships are provided with assistance," Secretary General Bill O'Neil told an IMO committee meeting in London. O'Neil said he was referring specifically to the case of the Castor, which developed a 20-m crack in its deck on New Year's Day and has since been unsuccessfully seeking a sheltered port in which to unload its 29,500 ton cargo of gasoline.

15 Jan 2001

Statement Released Regarding MT Castor

The situation aboard the motor tanker Castor, which suffered heavy weather damage on December 31 is deteriorating rapidly. The owner, manager, classification society and the salvors are concerned that the situation is becoming untenable and that the vessel and its cargo are now in peril. The vessel remains some 40 miles off the coast of Cartagena on the Spanish Coast, still seeking a sheltered location to offload its cargo of 29,500 tons of gasoline. Athenian Sea Carriers CEO, Nicolas Hondos, said, "Our options have narrowed considerably in the last 24 hours. We are becoming concerned that we will not be able to find a positive way out of this very difficult situation.

24 Jan 2001

'Safe Haven' Debate Could Have Resounding Effects

A situation ongoing at press time half way around the world promises to affect the way in which ship emergencies are handled in the U.S. and abroad. Last month, debates were raging and political fur was flying as the stricken tanker, Castor, carrying 29,000 tons of gasoline, was held in limbo as authorities on many levels debated the best course of action. The ship, which was damaged but still afloat and operational, was turned away from three countries - Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar - as it went to for assistance. Greek operator Athenian Sea Carriers said that the Moroccan Coast Guard instructed the vessel to move 40 miles offshore…

09 Feb 2001

The Castor Is (Finally) Empty

With the final discharge of all cargo from the damaged tanker Castor, and its pending redelivery by the salvors to its owners for repair, a 39 day saga that has involved eight nations and raised serious concerns within the maritime industry has been successfully concluded, classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) reported in a release. "It is unfortunate that political intervention into what should have been a purely technical challenge, put so many elements at risk," said Nicolas Hondos, chief executive of Athenian Sea Carriers, owners of the Castor. The unwillingness of Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Gibraltar, Greece, Tunisia and Malta to grant the vessel access to sheltered coastal waters turned the tanker into a pariah…