Investigation for Beirut explosion resumes, top security officials charged

Judge Tarek Bitar reopened suddenly the investigation of the 2020 Beirut explosion and charged top security officials, according to Reuters, with the charges remaining unspecified yet.

On 4 August at the port of Beirut in Lebanon, an explosion killed 200 people and injured thousands.

The decision was made on Monday 23 January, more than a year after the investigation was frozen due to political opposition.

Among the officials who are charged are Hassan Diab, a former Lebanese Prime Minister, and...

https://container-news.com/investigation-for-beirut-explosion-resumes-top-security-officials-charged/

How Maritime Fraud & Legal Loophole Fostered the Beirut Blast

The Beirut blast shook the maritime world like never before. The already pandemic hit the maritime industry is gasping to deal with maritime regulations and legal issues arising of the incident. Dr. Habib Al Mulla of the Baker McKenzie legal firm wrote to CNN about this maritime fraud.

Here’s how he analyzed it as published in an article in Lexology

Increase in Maritime Fraud Incidents

The horrific explosion that recently took place at the port of the city of Beirut is a tragedy for its people....

https://mfame.guru/how-maritime-fraud-legal-loophole-fostered-the-beirut-blast/

Former Owner Of The Ship That Was In The Heart Of The Beirut Blast Denies His Involvement

  • Mr. Manoli, who’s accused of possessing the ownership of MV Rhosus speaks to the public for the first time since the Beirut explosion. 
  • He said that the ownership was transferred to Igor Grechushkin in the year 2012. 
  • A year before that, the boat made an unscheduled stop at Beirut, where it and its cargo of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were impounded.
  • However, with regard to the blast, there is a mystery surrounding the ship and its cargo.
  • The OCCRP reported that Mr. Manoli had been in...

https://mfame.guru/former-owner-of-the-ship-that-was-in-the-heart-of-the-beirut-blast-denies-his-involvement/

Corruption At Beirut Port Kills 200 People, Says A NY Times Report

  • Corruption in Beirut set the stage for the fatal blast last month, says a New York Times investigation report.
  • The report elaborates on how officials ignored numerous warnings about the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate.
  • The Russian businessman who chartered the ship sent a cautionary email about the cargo.
  • A law firm flagged an ominous Wikipedia entry for the port’s general manager.
  • In short, the blast was a symptom of a longstanding problem.

A new investigation by The New York Times has shed...

https://mfame.guru/corruption-at-beirut-port-kills-200-people-says-a-ny-times-report/

CMA CGM Dispatches ‘A Humanitarian Ship for Lebanon’

  • CMA CGM Group’s ro-ro vessels have been dispatched to Lebanon.
  • It has mobilized its expertise to transport the load to the nation battered by an explosion.
  • It will transport relief provided by NGOs, companies, and French public institutions.
  • The load contains medical equipment and essential goods and products.

An international relief initiative to send medical equipment and essential goods and products, says a press release published by CMA CGM on its website.

Vessel dispatched for humanitarian...

https://mfame.guru/cma-cgm-dispatches-a-humanitarian-ship-for-lebanon/

Vessel Liable for Beirut Explosion Hasn’t Sailed in 7 Years

Ship Cited in Beirut Blast Hasn’t Sailed in 7 Years, reports the New York Times. The explosive material responsible for the Aug. 4 blast in Beirut was carried there by the ailing cargo ship Rhosus in 2013.

Let us take a look at the incidents that led to the arrival of the Rhosus vessel to Beirut’s port and how its volatile cargo led to the tragedy in the city almost seven years later.

The arrival of the ship 

On Nov. 21, 2013, at 11:27 a.m., a leaky ship arrived in Beirut’s port. It never left,...

https://mfame.guru/vessel-liable-for-beirut-explosion-hasnt-sailed-in-7-years/

Emirates gears up freighters for Beirut relief

A pallet of emergency supplies with a sign in Arabic sitting on the tarmac next to an Emirates plane on a sunny day. Emirates is flying supplies to Beirut to help the city recover from the explosion.

Dubai-based Emirates has launched a flotilla of cargo planes to Lebanon loaded with emergency relief supplies for residents of Beirut, where a chemical blast killed 172 people, wounded thousands and leveled large parts of the city.

The airlines’ SkyCargo division said it plans to send more than 50 freighter flights to the devastated country.

Emirates is asking people to donate cash or pledge their Skywards Miles for food, medical supplies and other items and will coordinate with nongovernmental...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/emirates-gears-up-freighters-for-beirut-relief

How An Unexpected Hazardous Cargo Ship Halt Destroyed Beirut

According to a Reuters report, the chemicals that went up in flames in Beirut’s deadliest peace-time explosion arrived in the Lebanese capital seven years ago on a leaky Russian-leased cargo ship.

The ship’s captain says he should have never stopped there.

Unscheduled Stop Fueled This?

“They were being greedy,” said Boris Prokoshev, who was captain of the Rhosus in 2013 when he says the owner told him to make an unscheduled stop in Lebanon to pick up extra cargo.

Prokoshev said the ship was...

https://mfame.guru/how-an-unexpected-hazardous-cargo-ship-halt-destroyed-beirut/

Join Our Newsletter
Enter your email to receive a weekly round-up of shipping news.
icon