**BAHRI YANBU clears inspection in Bremerhaven** The Ro-Ro cargo ship BAHRI YANBU was inspected at the port of Bremerhaven on 01 Jan 2026 under the Paris MoU. The detailed inspection covered all major areas, including accommodation and galley, vehicle deck, cargo area, engine room, navigation bridge, decks and forecastle, and steering room, while an emergency steering drill was also observed. No deficiencies were recorded, including detainable ones. The 2013-built vessel of 50,714 gross tons, flying the Saudi Arabian flag (IMO 9626534) and managed by BAHRI SHIP MANAGEMENT DMCC, faced no operational issues. No detention was recorded following the inspection.

**UHL FORTUNE Inspected at Paldiski Lounasadam** UHL FORTUNE underwent an initial inspection at Paldiski Lounasadam on 01 Jan 2026 under the Paris MoU. The general cargo/multipurpose vessel, flying the Portuguese flag with IMO 9813242 and a gross tonnage of 16,732, is managed by Hammonia Reederei GmbH and is on a demise charter. Inspectors checked the accommodation and galley, cargo area, engine room, navigation bridge, decks and forecastle, and steering room. No deficiencies were recorded and there were no detainable findings. The vessel was not detained.

**RIX AMETHYST passes Paris MoU inspection in Odense** On 02 Jan 2026 the Cyprus-flagged general cargo vessel RIX AMETHYST (IMO 9173185) was inspected under the Paris MoU at Odense. The 27-year-old ship underwent a detailed inspection covering accommodation and galley, engine room and navigation bridge, decks and forecastle and steering room. An emergency steering drill was also observed during the inspection. Inspectors recorded one deficiency but found no detainable issues. Managed by RIX SHIPMANAGEMENT SIA, the ship holds a RINA-issued safety management certificate valid until 27 Mar 2029. The vessel remains in Odense following the inspection.

**BRAVEWIND detained at Esbjerg port** The general cargo ship BRAVEWIND was detained at Esbjerg on 02 Jan 2026 by Paris MoU authorities. Inspectors carried out an initial inspection covering the accommodation and galley, cargo area, engine room, navigation bridge and decks. No deficiencies were recorded and there were no detainable deficiencies. The 8,922-gt vessel flies the Portuguese flag, bears IMO number 9886330 and operates under Bernhard Schulte-GER. The vessel remains under detention.

**NS Sprinter Detained in Aliaga Port** The general cargo/multipurpose vessel NS Sprinter was detained at Aliaga on 31 Dec 2025 by Mediterranean MoU inspectors following a detailed inspection. The inspection uncovered 16 deficiencies, including six detainable ones. Checks covered the accommodation and galley, engine room, navigation bridge, outside decks and forecastle, and steering room, while communication equipment, emergency fire pump, emergency generator, emergency steering and oil filtering equipment were also examined. The 34-year-old ship, built in August 1991, flies the GM flag, has a gross tonnage of 1,999 and bears IMO number 9033866. It is managed under the ISM by Oslo Shipholding Ltd. The vessel was released on 01 Jan 2026 after two days in detention.

**TURKON RIZE detained in Alexandria** The container ship TURKON RIZE was detained in Alexandria on 01 Jan 2026 by Mediterranean MoU authorities. Inspectors conducted a detailed inspection covering accommodation and galley spaces, communication equipment and the emergency generator. The 27,915 gross tonnage vessel, flagged in Turkey and built in 2004, is managed by Arkas Shipping And Transport AS. They observed zero deficiencies, including none warranting detention, and reviewed its safety management system certificate issued by ABS. Checks spanned structural areas, certificates and operational drills but found no non-conformities. The vessel remains under detention.

**DILEK passes detailed inspection at Alexandria** The general cargo/multipurpose vessel DILEK (IMO 9169732) was inspected at Alexandria port on 01 Jan 2026 under the Mediterranean MoU on Port State Control. The ship underwent a detailed inspection that covered accommodation and galley, engine room and navigation bridge, alongside checks on the emergency generator. Inspectors recorded zero deficiencies, including none deemed detainable. Built in 1996 and flying the Vanuatu flag, the 2,905-gross tonnage vessel is managed by VASYO SHIPPING INC. and carries class certificates issued by PRS valid until 31 Dec 2027. The vessel was not detained following the inspection.

Image credit:devonlive.com. On 31 December, Scot Pioneer grounded on a sandbank just 50m from Teignmouth harbour entrance, England. The general cargo ship waited overnight for high tide before a tug successfully refloated her. All eight crew unharmed; no spills. The vessel is now safely moored at Teignmouth Port.

Image credit:facebook/Flower Lotus. The bulk carrier CSE Prosperity Express ran aground off Hualien on 1 January after main engine failure amid strong northeasterly monsoon winds and heavy seas while awaiting pilotage. A tug sent to assist lost propulsion when its tow lines fouled, forcing air evacuation of its five crew by Black Hawk helicopter; one suffered a head injury. All 17 crew on the bulk carrier are safe. The vessel remains aground pending recovery operations.    

A fire broke out early this week on board a passenger ship in Bangladesh, resulting in the death of one crew member. According to investigations, an electrical short circuit in the engine room triggered the blaze, which quickly spread throughout the vessel. At the time of the incident, the ship was empty of passengers.

On 1 January 2026, the bulk carrier CSE PROSPERITY EXPRESS (Panama-flag) grounded near the north side of the Hualien River estuary, Taiwan, China, after suffering main engine failure while awaiting pilotage at Hualien Port. Strong northeasterly monsoon conditions and heavy seas caused the vessel to drift toward the coast. Two port tugs were dispatched for assistance, but during the operation, one tug lost propulsion due to a towing line entanglement and also became stranded. Due to the unsafe sea state, five crew members of the tug were rescued by a Black Hawk helicopter, with one sustaining a head injury. The crew of the bulk carrier were reported safe. Authorities have convened an emergency response meeting, and further updates on salvage progress and environmental risk are awaited.

**General Cargo Ship ATLAS Detained in Adabiya** The general cargo ship ATLAS was detained at the port of Adabiya on 31 Dec 2025 by the Mediterranean MoU inspectors. A detailed inspection covered the engine room, navigation bridge, outside decks and forecastle, and steering room, while a fire drill was also observed. Inspectors recorded three deficiencies, none classified as detainable. The Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel (IMO 9132624) has a gross tonnage of 6,049 and was built in 1995. It is managed by ALPHAMOON SHIPPING MANAGEMENT and holds an International Safety Management certificate issued by IS. The vessel remains under detention.

The container ship CMA CGM Jacques Saade successfully crossed the Red Sea accompanied by a European naval warship. This marks the resumption of voyages through the Suez Canal for routes between Europe and Asia, instead of the longer route around Africa. The escort highlights continued security efforts to ensure safe passage in the region.

**NORFRAKT detained at Halmstad under Paris MoU** The Norwegian-flagged multipurpose general cargo vessel NORFRAKT was detained in Halmstad on 29 Dec 2025 by Paris MoU inspectors after an initial inspection. Inspectors reviewed certificates issued by DNV, which are valid until 31 Mar 2028, and checked the accommodation and galley, cargo area from deck, engine room, navigation bridge, decks and forecastle and steering-room. The examination uncovered four deficiencies, none deemed detainable. The 38-year-old vessel, built in 1987, has a gross tonnage of 1,524 and IMO 8713811. It is managed by Karmoy Skipsconsult Management. The vessel remains under detention.

**Container Ship NORDIC PORTO Inspected in Riga** The container ship NORDIC PORTO was inspected on 29 Dec 2025 in Riga by Paris MoU authorities. During a detailed inspection, specialists reviewed accommodation and galley spaces, the cargo area, engine room, navigation bridge, decks and forecastle, and the steering-room, while observing an emergency steering drill. The vessel, flagged in Cyprus and managed by Reederei Bernd Sibum GmbH And Co KG, carries IMO 9448671, has a gross tonnage of 12,514 and is 17 years old. Inspectors identified three deficiencies, none of which were detainable. The vessel remains free to sail.