Having been detained for the last ten months, the 5,900 dwt tanker Asphalt Trader departed Baltimore on August 5, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) said.
The Greece-flagged Asphalt Trader, previously known as Newlead Granadino, was detained for numerous safety discrepancies found during compliance inspections in 2016 and 2017.
Representatives of the Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region Port State Control branch inspected the 2009-built ship near the end of July 2017. After the inspection, the USCG received the necessary documentation and verified the vessel is in a safe condition to depart Baltimore.
“We have worked with the previous and current crews and owners of the Asphalt Trader and previously named Newlead Granadino for over 10 months,” Christopher Davis, Chief Warrant Officer, a Sector Maryland-NCR PSC inspector , said.
“We are really happy to see this vessel operating again, but even happier knowing the ship is now operating at or above the minimum standards for safety and pollution prevention,” Davis added.
During the ship’s examination in September 2016, multiple safety discrepancies were found involving the ship’s fire detection and suppression systems, emergency power, and life-saving systems.
As explained, the original owners were unable to conduct necessary repairs which caused the ship to be docked in Baltimore. The ship was sold and renamed.
VesselsValue’s data shows that Asphalt Trader was purchased by Greece-based Eurotankers from compatriot company Newlead Holdings in April this year.
The tanker departed Baltimore with all of its life saving and fire fighting systems intact and operational, according to the USCG.