Port of Keelung

Tugboat racing against typhoon after Chinese cargo ship abandoned by crew off Taiwan’s north coast

Cargo ship at anchor off New Taipei City coast
Marine and Fisheries 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

A Chinese cargo ship was abandoned by its crew less than one kilometer from the coast of northern Taiwan last night, and has been left at anchor as a typhoon approaches the island today, October 30. The platform cargo ship Yuzhou Qihang left Keelung Harbor at around 8:00 am yesterday, in an attempt to cross the Taiwan Strait ahead of the approaching Typhoon Kong-rey. However, the top-heavy vessel, loaded with three massive bridge cranes, failed to make headway in high

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Navy sailor jumps ship off northern Taiwan, swims to shore

Cheng Gong class missile frigate ROCN Ming Chuan
Military Affairs 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Military police are questioning a Taiwanese navy sailor after he jumped off his ship as it left the Port of Keelung last night, and swam to shore. Keelung Port police received a report from a security guard at Taiwan Ship Building Company on Heping Island at around 1:30 am this morning, June 17, saying that an unidentified man was seeking help after landing on shore wearing a life jacket. Police and ambulance personnel took the man to hospital for a

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MSC Bellissima sets record for largest cruise ship to dock at the Port of Keelung

MSC Bellissima at the Port of Keelung
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

The largest cruise ship to ever dock at the Port of Keelung sailed into the harbor today, May 4, bringing more than 4,600 visitors to the harbor city and Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. The MSC Bellissima sailed into the harbor at around 6:00 am, and was greeted by tugboats with a water salute. The 315-meter-long ship is operated by MSC Cruises, and has 19 decks, 2,217 cabins, 18 elevators, and three swimming pools. There are 1,564 personnel on board to serve

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Burmese oil tanker crewman airlifted to Taiwan after being stabbed at sea, but dies in transit

Oil tanker New Progress
Marine and Fisheries 
Phillip Charlier 1 Comment , ,

A Myanmar national died after being airlifted to Taiwan for emergency treatment following a stabbing incident aboard an oil tanker north of Pengjia Islet yesterday, January 1. Taiwan’s Coast Guard received a request for emergency assistance at 6:10 pm stating that a crew member on the Cook-Island-flagged oil tanker NEW PROGRESS was seriously injured after being stabbed twice during a fight with another crew member. The injured crew member had low blood pressure and a weak heartbeat, according to the

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Police Prepare Riot Shields as Disgruntled Cruise Ship Passengers Disembark at Keelung

police with riot shields at the Port of Keelung
Travel and Tourism 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

A large contingent of police armed with riot shields gathered at the cruise terminal at the Port of Keelung last night, as the Star Cruises vessel SuperStar Virgo arrived after a voyage that saw passengers occupy the casino in a collective protest over changes to the itinerary. On July 1, passengers embarked on a 6 day, 5 night cruise scheduled to take them to the cities of Naha and Osaka. However, the path of Typhoon Prapiroon led to the crew

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Man Mistakes Sea Surface for Road and Drives into Harbor

a car that was driven into the harbor at Keelung
Traffic Accidents 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment

A man drove over the edge of a wharf at the Port of Keelung last night, after being dazzled by lights reflecting on the water, and thinking the surface of the water was a road. Shortly after 8:00pm, 70 year-old Mr Su drove onto the wharf to start his shift as a night guard when he became disoriented by lights reflecting on the water, and turned left too soon. Officers on a coast guard vessel were shocked to see Su’s

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