The 'Kapitan Sokolov' is among the sanctioned fishing vessels of the Russian commercial fleet, being suspected of involvement in subsea surveillance activity in the Barents and Norwegian Seas, a continuation of a long tradition of spy trawlers dating back to Soviet days. Given current tensions over the ongoing war in Ukraine, European and Scandinavian leaders now are treating these vessels with suspicion. In May 2025, the European Union sanctioned two Russian fishery companies, the Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood, alleging that they were playing a role in a state-sponsored surveillance and intelligence campaign aimed at Europe's critical underwater infrastructure, including "activities that can facilitate future sabotage operations. Two months later, Norway's government has decided to follow the EU's lead, and it listed both companies, stating on Juily 2025, that such activity may facilitate future sabotage operations and threaten important Norwegian security policy interests The listing denies port access to vessels operated by Norebo and Murman, which together account for most of the Russian fishing fleet in the region. It also prohibits them from holding fishing licenses in the Norwegian EEZ. Norebo, which is owned by a Russian oligarch who has personal and political ties to Vladimir Putin, has protested the decision, saying that the EU and Norwegian allegations were false. On July 29, Russia's foreign ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador and formally protested the "illegal restrictive measures" imposed. The letter of protest noted that Norway have a bilateral fishery treaty, active since 1976, that guarantees joint management of fish stocks in the Barents and Norwegian Seas. It warns that sanctions on Norebo and Murman could scuttle that longstanding deal.
News
CARNIVAL DREAM
The FBI is investigating the death case onboard the 'Carnival Dream', which happened around July 23 in the area of Belize City during a 6-day Western Caribbean voyage. It returned to Galveston, Texas, on July 26. An FBI maritime liaison agent, based out of the Texas City resident agency, was coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the cruise line regarding the incident as a standard practice for the FBI to review deaths that occur on cruise ships. The routine protocol ensures transparency. It does not automatically imply suspicious circumstances, and the facts of this matter did not suggest any such activity. The FBI is the primary federal agency authorized to investigate potential crimes on the high seas.
SKY LIGHT
The "Sky Light" was detained on July 16, 2025, in Iskenderun with 26 deficiencies, nine of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Missing 2) Emergency systems - Emergency fire pump and its pipes Inoperative 3) Structural conditions - Hull - Cracking Cracked 4) Structural conditions - Beams, frames, floors-construction Not as required 5) Structural conditions - Decks - Corrosion Not as required 6) Water/Weathertight - Covers (Hatchway,- portable,- tarpaulin etc Not properly maintained 7) Life saving Appliances - Lifeboats Not properly maintained 8) Living and working - Ventilation (Working spaced) Not as required 9) Fire safety - Fire prevention structural integrity Not as required The vessel was released again on July 19 and permitted a single voyage to go Tartus for permanent repairs, where it arrived on July 26. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
NAVAL AUXILIARY A135
The RFA 'Argus' is currently stuck at the Portsmouth naval base and was banned from sailing until a number of identified defects have been rectified. The 'Argus' arrived in the Navy’s port on JKune 8, 2025, and cannot sail to Falmouth in Cornwall for repairs because her safety certification has been withdrawn. The vessel failed to meet minimum safety standards following an inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard agency and Lloyd’s surveyors.
MOBY DREA
On July 28, the 'Moby Drea' has arrived at Brodosplit in Split en route from Genoa, and after 350 tons of asbestos found in the passenger cabin partition walls have been removed, it will sail towards a repair shipyard in Greece. During the removal of the passenger cabin partition walls from the ferry, the employees will have to work under strict conditions, almost like in quarantine. Every day, they will put on special disposable suits, special masks and gloves, and before they even begin the demanding and potentially dangerous work, as well as during the work, the concentration of hazardous particles will be measured. The panels are filled with asbestos, which amounts to about 350 tons. Afterthe removal, the panels will be wrapped in special foil and stacked on pallets, and then an authorized company will transport them by truck. They will be stored in special cassettes, or concrete boxes, after collection. The work in the shipyard will last two months.