Dark fleet casualty Pablo to be scrapped in Indonesia - Splash247 The Pablo aframax, which exploded in Malaysian waters last year, killing three crewmembers, has been towed to Indonesia for scrapping. The 1997-built tanker, a symbol of the risks in the dark tanker fleet, was notorious for transferring 16 million barrels of Iranian oil without confirmed insurance. After seven months, Malaysian authorities decided to remove the wreck, and it is now at a ship scrapping facility near Jakarta

Greek bulker comes under fire off Yemen - Splash247 A Maltese-flagged supramax vessel, Zografia, with 24 crew members was targeted off Yemen in the southern Red Sea, about 122 km northwest of al-Saleef. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the ship, owned by Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises, sustained minor damage in the cargo hold from an unknown object. This incident follows Houthi attacks since November, particularly on ships they claim are linked to Israel. In the aftermath of recent US and UK strikes on Houthi militants, another bulker owned by Eagle Bulk Shipping was hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden.   UKMTO ADVISORY 002/JAN/2024 Update 001 Category: SUSPICIOUS APPROACH. #MarSec pic.twitter.com/8a6xQSLJeE — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) January 16, 2024

In a recent maritime incident, the Bulk Carrier BW OSAKA experienced an engine failure off Cuxhaven, Germany. Immediate reports indicate that three tugs were swiftly deployed to assist the distressed vessel, successfully towing it to safety at Hansaport, Hamburg. Further investigations will likely follow to assess the extent of the engine failure and any associated damages.

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, around 11:00 PM local time, the cargo ship ARMADA SEJATI ran aground on a coral reef near Samalona Island, Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Initial reports suggested the ship changed course to avoid fishermen, but tracking data contradicts this. The vessel, heading from Makassar to Jakarta, unexpectedly stopped just 10 meters from the island's northwest lighthouse. Quick action was taken, and on Sunday afternoon, two powerful tugs, guided by the port authority, successfully freed the stranded cargo ship. Investigations will follow to determine the cause and assess reef damage. The coral around the island is vital for a program aiming to restore fish habitat and enhance marine life. Credits to: www.instagram.com/salvage_and_wreck/  

US-Owned Bulker Hit by Houthi Missile, Raising Fears of Escalation A U.S.-owned bulk carrier, the Gibraltar Eagle, was hit by a missile fired from Yemen in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, owned by Eagle Bulk, was en route from South Korea to the Suez Canal. Despite displaying an "armed guard aboard" signal, the ship was struck on the port side. While there were no injuries reported, security consultant Ambrey believes there was a fire in one of the holds. Concerns arise over Houthi attacks expanding to American interests in retaliation for U.S. strikes. The U.S. Maritime Administration warns vessels to stay north of 18N in the Red Sea or east of 46E in the Gulf of Aden until February 5.     On Jan. 15 at approximately 4 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired an anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the M/V Gibraltar Eagle, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.S.-owned and operated container ship. The ship has… pic.twitter.com/gixEMaUiVT — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 15, 2024

Iran Grabs Tanker in Retaliation for US Oil Seizure in 2023 In a dramatic act of retaliation, Iranian forces seized the crude oil tanker St Nikolas (158,573 dwt), citing it as a response to last year's incident where the United States confiscated Iranian oil from the vessel. Iranian media reports confirm the seizure, stating it was carried out under a court order and the tanker is en route to Iran. Managed by Greece's Empire Navigation, the vessel, originally known as Suez Rajan, had loaded cargo in Iraq for Aliaga, Turkey.

Reports have surfaced of a harrowing incident involving the asphalt tanker SIDRA, which experienced a severe explosion and subsequent engine room fire south of Silivri, Turkey. The crew's attempts to extinguish the flames proved futile, leading to the deployment of various tugs and Turkish Coast Guard vessels for urgent assistance. In response to the emergency, the vessel is believed to have been towed to Tuzla Anchorage, Turkey, for a thorough inspection. The aftermath of this incident raises concerns about potential General Average, Salvage, and associated Recovery issues. As per the latest AIS data, the vessel SIDRA is currently navigating the Marmara Sea, traveling at a speed of 0.2 knots, the Bitumen Tanker SIDRA is on course for AIGIOTHEDORI, with an anticipated arrival time of January 12 at 08:00.  

In a recent maritime incident on January 5, 2024, barge LOLA-5, transporting nitrogen fertilizer, collided with a pillar of the 25 May Bridge at the Croatia-Serbia border. Despite the sinking of LOLA-5, authorities report that the Danube River's organoleptic properties remain unchanged, falling within I and II classes of surface water quality. Image Courtsey: n1infos.rs The Ministry of Environmental Protection, conducting water samples at the Novi Sad profile, revealed that physical and chemical parameters, including pH value, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and more, are within prescribed limits. The incident's environmental impact on the Danube is currently minimal, offering reassurance to the public. Ongoing monitoring and further analyses will ensure the continued safety and integrity of this vital waterway. Stakeholders with cargo on LOLA-5 are urged to contact authorities promptly to safeguard their interests.

Besiktas Shipping, a Turkey-based shipping company, reported an engine room boiler explosion onboard its vessel MT Torc. The accident claimed the life of onboard second engineer Mehmet Alta, a Turkish national. The cause of the boiler explosion has not yet been determined, and an investigation is underway.   As per the report, the vessel was sailing in the Mediterranean on its way to Genoa when the explosion happened. The onboard second engineer, Mehmat Alta, was severely injured in the accident, and the ship contacted Italian Port Authorities and Coast Guard Ankara MRCC for immediate medical evacuation. However, the helicopter evacuation was canceled by the Italian Authorities when they were informed that the second engineer had scummed to his injuries. MT Torc is a 13,200 DWT Chemical tanker that recently completed its expanded inspection in December in Greece. There were no deficiencies identified during the vessel's expanded inspection. MT Torc is a 2010-built product tanker that came under the management of Besiktas in 2020, sailing mainly in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Besiktas has said that it is working with the authorities to determine the cause of the explosion.

Starting the year with a bang, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering has secured three shipbuilding orders this year. As per the reports, HD KSOE received an order from an Asian shipping company to build 15 petroleum product carriers worth $716.6 million. These vessels will be delivered from the Ulsan Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. On Monday, HD KSOE signed a deal with an Oceania-based shipping company to build two Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs). The order size of VLACs is worth $240.7 million, and the two vessels must be delivered by the end of March 2027. HD KSOE signed a deal worth $230 million for two LPG carriers on Jan 5, 2024. A Europe-based shipping company had signed the agreement for two 88,000 cubic meter LPG carriers with the expected delivery date in the first half of 2027. To date this year, HD KSOE, the shipbuilding intermediate holding company of HD Hyundai Group, has secured orders worth $1.19 billion, achieving 8.8% of its total order target for 2024.

An Ocean Network Express (ONE) container ship which was involved in a major grounding in the Suez Canal has been taken out of service and is now awaiting repairs in Turkey. Ocean Network Express container ship in Suez Canal collision Read more The 8,600-teu ONE Orpheus (built 2006) had a mechanical fault which caused it to hit a floating bridge and then ground in the Suez Canal on 6 December.  

Monday morning, a fire onboard MV Stride at Port Houston claimed the lives of two crew members, whereas a third crew member sustained injuries. When the incident happened, the 1997-built, Panama-flagged container ship MV Stride was docked at Barbours Cut Container Terminal. MV Stride is a 2174 TEU capacity vessel managed by Greek owners Danaos Corporation. #Port Houston Port Houston Update: Jan. 8, 2024, 9:50 am pic.twitter.com/HP7CWWM4db — Port Houston (@Port_Houston) January 8, 2024 The port fire department acted swiftly and extinguished the fire. Port Houston Fire Department has said that the situation is under control and there is no threat to the surroundings, but they will still monitor the vessel for the next 24 hours. The circumstances of the fire have not yet been determined, and the US Coast Guard, along with the National Transportation Safety Board, is investigating the incident.

COSCO orders VLOCs at affiliate yard - Splash247 COSCO Shipping, a major ship operator, has placed an order for two large ore carriers with methanol dual-fuel propulsion at its affiliated COSCO Yangzhou shipyard. These vessels, set to be delivered in late 2026 and mid-2027, will feature shaft generators and scrubbers. COSCO is actively pursuing methanol as a future fuel, collaborating with Chinese state-run entities to establish a green methanol industrial chain covering production, transportation, refueling, and certification. The company has previously ordered methanol-powered ships in various sectors, including dry bulk, containers, and tankers. Recently, it also initiated methanol engine retrofits for eight of its container ships.  

Ulstein Secures Order for Wind Farm CSOVs from J.P. Morgan Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein has secured an order for two Construction Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) from institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Stemming from a 2023 contract with Bernhard Schulte Offshore, the vessels are designed for offshore wind maintenance, featuring a walk-to-work gangway, elevator tower, and a 3D crane for 5-ton cargo lifts. Based on the ULSTEIN SX222 design, the 89.6-meter CSOVs will accommodate 132 people, with hybrid battery propulsion and readiness for methanol fuel, enabling carbon-neutral operations. J.P. Morgan's Global Transportation Group values these vessels for their role in advancing renewable energy and global energy decarbonization.  

Canada gets its first Hong Kong-compliant recycling yard - Splash247 R.J. MacIsaac in Nova Scotia has become Canada's first compliant ship recycling facility, certified by Lloyd’s Register under the Hong Kong International Convention. They achieved this milestone by ensuring adherence to international standards for safety, environmental protection, and efficiency, positioning the company as a leader in green marine ship recycling in Canada and abroad.