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A pilot project for munitions recovery was to start on Aug 9, 2025, on the Mecklenburg Baltic coast off Boltenhagen. In 30 days, up to 15 tons of old World War II munitions were to be retrieved from the seabed at a depth of around 22 meters. The munitions will then be disposed of. The company, Baltic Taucherei- und Bergungsbetrieb (Baltic Diving and Salvage Company), in Rostock was contracted for this task, and the "Baltic Lift," was scheduled to depart Rostock on Aug 8 toward the Bay of Wismar. The majority of the 80-year-old munitions, such as grenades and rocket-propelled grenades, was likely buried under meters of sediment and mud. The 30-day operation near Großklützhöved off Boltenhagen (Rostock district) is part of the emergency program for the removal of old ammunition in the North and Baltic Seas, for which a total of 100 million euros in federal funds has been made available. The cost of the salvage off Boltenhagen is estimated at around five million euros. In the Bay of Wismar, the old ammunition was sunk together with a barge, which is why the majority of the ammunition is likely located next to the barge, which is lying bottom up. The total volume was estimated at just under 1,000 tons. The project's primary goal was to gather information about ammunition and salvage. The clearance work was to run 24/7 with the team working in two shifts of 24 employees each. On board the converted "Baltic Lift," formerly a tanker, are several submersible elevators that take the divers to a depth of 22 meters. The ammunition is pre-sorted underwater and loaded separately into crates. It is then transported by ship to Wismar, from where it is transported to a federal disposal facility.

On July 9, 2025, the 'Odyssey' was inspected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and received a score of 81, the lowest inspection score of the year so far. A passing grade is 86. The inspection report revealed numerous issues, with the most serious concerns centered on the ship’s potable water system. The report indicated that during water bunkering operations, chlorine levels in the drinking water were consistently below the required minimum and that no corrective action was taken. A major safety hazard was also identified: a drain line from the water purification system was hard-piped to a gray water tank, creating a risk of cross-contamination. Other issues were found throughout the ship, including: - Food Safety and Equipment: Inspectors found a greasy waffle iron stored with clean items, along with several refrigerators and other food-holding units that were out of service. One note stated that some food was held at unsafe temperatures (like cream at 56°F). - General Maintenance: Problems with poor deck conditions, dusty overhead areas, and standing water were noted. Even the swimming pools were cited for not having proper safety signs and depth markers. - Pest Control: The presence of fruit flies in a pantry pointed to a pest control problem. Villa Vie Residences purchased the ship in late 2023 with the goal of converting it into a residential cruise ship. The ship’s maiden voyage, which was supposed to start in May 2024, was delayed multiple times due to technical issues, including problems with the rudder stocks. The Odyssey is now out of U.S. waters, so a re-inspection won’t happen until it returns to a U.S. port. However, the company is required to fix all the problems found in the report. Many of the issues are a result of the ship’s age and design, as it wasn’t built to today’s U.S. public health standards. The ship has passed other health inspections since leaving Europe. The company states it is taking the feedback seriously and is confident a future inspection will result in a passing score.

The 'Fortune' has sparked controversy for carrying a cargo of coal destined for Hadera. The shipment violates a Colombian government decree banning coal exports to Israel, due to ongoing concerns over Israel's actions in Gaza. The ship had sailed from Colombia on July 24, 2025, with an ETA as of Aug 14. The Colombian government classifies coal as a "dual-use item", which could support military activities, in addition to its civilian use for energy production. Activists claimed that the shipment was breaching the decree issued by the Colombian president in 2024,banning exports of coal to Israel. The Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he would order the Colombian Navy to intercept vessels bound for Israel. The 'Fortune' has not broadcast the vessel's location for the past nine days.

The 'Aya 1', carrying hundreds of military armoured vehicles en route from Jebel Ali, was detained in Astakos on July 27, 2025, before being allowed to continue its journey to the port of Misurata. On its way to Libya, it was initially stopped by a Dutch frigate operating under the European Union’s Operation IRINI. The EU’s Operation has previously intercepted similar shipments, including vessels transporting armoured vehicles and other weaponry to Libyan ports.The control of the 'Aya 1' was later transferred to the Italian navy frigate ITS 'Morosini', which escorted it to the port of Astakos, where the vessel was detained and searched. Although the cargo manifest listed cosmetics, cigarettes and electronic goods, initial inspections reportedly uncovered over 350 armoured vehicles and other military equipment on board. The ship was initially destined for territories controlled by General Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya. However, after a diplomatic intervention by Greece’s Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and following the personal involvement of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotaki, the vessel was eventually cleared to sail. It arrived in Misrata on Aug 3. While the exact details of the cargo remained undisclosed, the incident raised fresh concerns about ongoing violations of the arms embargo and the role of international actors in Libya’s conflict.

On Aug 3, 2025, the 'Gemini' was detained in Piraeus with six deficiencies, three of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Labour conditions - Non payment of wages Non payment of wages 2) Certificate & Doc - Seafarers employment agreement Expired 3) ISM - ISM certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Aug 5 and left the port en route to Kusadasi with an ETA as of Aug 7. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591