On the early morning of Feb 11, 2025, a fuel leakage occurred during bunkering operations of the tanker 'Jag' (IMO: 9266762) with the 'Gökdeniz', which caused a marine pollution at the Ahırkapı Anchorage area off Istanbul, where the tanker had moored on Feb 10 in pos. 40° 57' N 028° 45' E, which occurred during bunkering operations with the tanker 'Gökdeniz' (IMO: 9373254). Coastal Safety deployed the lifeboats 'Kıyı Emniyeti 3' and 'Kıyı Emniyeti 4', an environmental barge and the tug 'Mehmetçik to the scene. The water surface was cleaned by the rescue teams. On the early morning of Feb 11, 2025, the 'Jag' caused a marine pollution by a fuel leakage from the ship at the Ahırkapı Anchorage area off Istanbul, where the tanker had moored on Feb 10 in pos. 40° 57' N 028° 45' E, which occurred during bunkering operations with the tanker 'Gökdeniz' (IMO: 9373254). Coastal Safety deployed the lifeboats 'Kıyı Emniyeti 3' and 'Kıyı Emniyeti 4', an environmental barge and the tug 'Mehmetçik to the scene. The water surface was cleaned by the rescue teams. The 'Jag 'has passed through multiple owners and managers operating with this identity and has been registered in Liberia since 2023. Its current manager is lthe Rhine Marine Services based in India. The tanker is reported to have made several calls in Russia. In Oct 2024, it took a cargo from Primorsk in Russia to Paranagua port. The last listed inspection was in 2023 in Aqaba, where 12 deficiencies were found, which resulted in a two-day detention. The emergency generator was not operating while the fire doors, the main, and auxiliary engines were listed as “not as required.” It was also cited for a lack of cleanliness in the engine room and oily mixtures. The ships three prior inspections were all in Russia and each also found a number of deficiencies. Report with photo and video: https://x.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1889195053349834996
News
SANTA MAGHERITA
The 'Evanthia', formerly sailing as 'Santa Margherita', has entered the port of Durban on Feb 2, 2025, at 08:20 a.m., under tow of the The emergency tug 'Umkhuseli '(IMO 9427055), after the ship had suffered propulsion problems 270 nautical miles out in the South Atlantic, which required the assistance of the African Marine Solutions Group’s (AMSOL) standby emergency tug. The 'Evanthia' had sailed from the port of Paranaguá on Jan 4 and encountered technical problems while approaching the Cape of Good Hope. The tow to Durban lasted a total of 10 days. The 'Evanthia' was docked alongside Pier 1 at berth 103, where it remained stationary as of Feb 11. Report with photo: http://africaports.co.za/#9484
DORRAT JEDDAH
The 'Dorrat Jeddah' (IMO: 7203912), was detained in Aqaba on Jan 29, 2025, with 28 deficiencies, 13 of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - Declaration of Maritime Labour compliance (I and II) Missing 2) Certificate & Doc - Continuous synopsis record Missing 3) Certificate & Doc - Minimum safe manning Doc Not as required 4) Safety of navigation - Charts Missing 5) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound-signals Inoperative 6) Safety of navigation - BNWAS Inadequate 7) Safety of navigation - Cyro compass Inoperative 8)) Fire safety - Fire doors/openings in fire resisting division Not as required 9) Emergency systems - Publica adress system Inoperative 10) Labour conditions - Non-payment of wages Non-payment of wages 11) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Propulsion Main Engine Not as required 12) Life saving Appliances - Lifeboats Not properly maintained 13) Alarms - Machinery control alarms Inoperative The vessel was released again on Feb 6 and permitted a single voyage to Suez for permanent repairs. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
RUBY EXPRESS
Arriving in the Antilles in July 2024, the 'Ruby Express' was to carry out maritime transport between Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and Saint Lucia, but management has found that operating the ferry is too expensive. It will be repatriated to Europe and possibly replaced by a smaller vessel. On Feb 1, 2025,, Onick Deravel, CEO of FRS Express des Iles, confirmed that the flagship of the fleet costs 20% more to operate than initial estimates and does not correspond to the competitiveness policy for customers. The vessel is 60 meters long and 16.5 meters wide and therefore difficult to maneuver in the ports served by the company, which extends the operating time. Because of its dimensions, only Martinique can accommodate the ship in the event of a breakdown. To clean the hull, it must be anchored in the bay of Saint-Louis in Guadeloupe. FRS Express des Iles has still not recouped the significant costs of putting the 'Ruby Express' into circulation. There was the transatlantic trip from FRS headquarters in Germany, fuel, maintenance and staff training. The operation of the 'Ruby Express' has allowed FRS Express des îles to refurbish the three other ferries already in circulation, the 'Gold Express,' 'Perle Express' and 'Corail Express'. The work will be completed in June 2025. Due to the high prices for purchasing new ships, the fleet will not be renewed in the immediate future. In a few months, the 'Ruby Express' will return to FRS's headquarters in Germany.
MAERSK SALTORO
The 'Maersk Saltoro' was back underway on Feb 5, after drifting for 23 days in the Pacific following a main engine failure. The vessel previously drew attention when U.S. officials boarded it in Baltimore in Sept 2024 to conduct an inspection due to it being a sister ship to the 'Dali'. The vessel's main engine failed after having departed Chile on Dec 27. The tug company Pacific International reports that its Marshall Islands Towing and Salvage Company deployed a tug on Jan 22 which took aboard four technicians in Kosrae, in the Federated States of Micronesia, before proceeding to the 'Maersk Saltoro', which was adrift approximately 550 miles west of Pohnpei, also in Micronesia. Temporary repairs have been completed, and the schedule is now showing the ship will reach the Nansha New Port in China on Feb 18, depending on weather conditions during the remainder of the voyage. It will be a month behind schedule and then continuing to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Ningbo. It is unclear when or where permanent repairs will be completed. Maersk as charter company was monitoring the situation and was in contact with the vessel’s owners. The ship and crew as well as its cargo were in no danger and the owners assured them the refrigerated containers were continuing to operate during the breakdown. The vessel was part of a seasonal service known as the Cherry Express. Growers were concerned because the vessel was loaded with 1,353 refrigerated containers of cherries shipped to China to coincide with the Lunar New Year’s celebrations. The worry was that the long transit times has affected the quality of the shipment and decrease its value in addition to the impact of the late arrival.
TARIQ IBN ZIYAD
Despite recurring breakdowns and high maintenance costs, Algérie Ferries does not seem ready to abandon the 'Tariq Ibn Ziyad'. The ferry, which had been immobilized for several months, is currently undergoing a major renovation in a shipyardin Eleusis to reduce its sulfur emissions to less than 0.5% by the end of 2025. After more than 25 years of service, the ship has accumulated technical problems. Several breakdowns and incidents have led to its prolonged immobilization, to the point that its future has been called into question. Repeated repairs and the cost of maintenance have raised doubts about the interest of keeping this ferry in the fleet. Despite these difficulties, Algérie Ferries has decided to invest in the refurbishment of the 'Tariq Ibn Ziyad' to extend its lifespan and to bring it up to international environmental standards. The project is part of the broader strategy of the Algerian Maritime Transport Group (Gatma) to make the fleet more environmentally friendly and competitive with European companies. In addition, the work also includes improvements to passenger comfort, including the modernization of cabins and the installation of an on-board Internet access system. Despite its age, the 'Tariq Ibn Ziyad' still meets market requirements, particularly for connections between Algiers, Oran and Marseille.
UDOSARANG1
The Philippine Navy patrol ship BRP 'Nestor Reinoso (PC-380)' has rendered assistance to the ' Udosarang 1' which had experienced some mechanical problems while sailing in the waters of Ilocos Norte province in the waters of Burgos town when on Feb 5, 2025, at around 9 a.m. The Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) immediately deployed the BRP 'Nestor Reinoso' to assist the vessel. The emergency alert was monitored by the Maritime Situation Awareness Center – North (MSAC-N) and Naval Monitoring Detachment Pasuquin (NMD Pasuquin). After establishing contact with the vessel, the BRP 'Nestor Reinoso' escorted the 'Udosarang 1' to Sual, Pangasinan, where it could safely fix its mechanical malfunction, The nine Filipino crew members of the ferry were safe and encountered no other problems. Report with photo: https://balita.com/navy-patrol-ship-aids-s-korean-passenger-vessel-off-ilocos-norte/
JAG
On the early morning of Feb 11, 2025, the 'Jag' caused a marine pollution by a fuel leakage from the ship at the Ahırkapı Anchorage area off Istanbul, where the tanker had moored on Feb 10 in pos. 40° 57' N 028° 45' E, which occurred during bunkering operations with the tanker 'Gökdeniz' (IMO: 9373254). Coastal Safety deployed the lifeboats 'Kıyı Emniyeti 3' and 'Kıyı Emniyeti 4', an environmental barge and the tug 'Mehmetçik to the scene. The water surface was cleaned by the rescue teams. The 'Jag 'has passed through multiple owners and managers operating with this identity and has been registered in Liberia since 2023. Its current manager is lthe Rhine Marine Services based in India. The tanker is reported to have made several calls in Russia. In Oct 2024, it took a cargo from Primorsk in Russia to Paranagua port. The last listed inspection was in 2023 in Aqaba, where 12 deficiencies were found, which resulted in a two-day detention. The emergency generator was not operating while the fire doors, the main, and auxiliary engines were listed as “not as required.” It was also cited for a lack of cleanliness in the engine room and oily mixtures. The ships three prior inspections were all in Russia and each also found a number of deficiencies. Report with photo and video: https://x.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1889195053349834996
AMO
On Feb 4, 2025, the 'Amo' was detained in Novorossiysk with 16 deficiencies: 1) Labour conditions - Ropes and wires Not as required 2) Labour conditions - Dangerous Areas Unsafe 3) Labour conditions - Lighting (Working spaces) Not as required 4) Fire safety - Fire dampers Inoperative 5) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Propulsion main engine Not as required 6) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Auxiliary machinery Not as required 7) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Gauges, thermometers etc Not as required 8)) Emergency systems - Emergency source of power - emergency generator Inoperative 9) Safety of navigation - Compass correction log Not as required 10) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Not as required 11) Safety of navigation - Revolution counter Not as required 12) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound-signals Not as required 13) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boat inventory Not as required 14) Life saving Appliances - Stowage and provision of liferafts Not as required 15) Water/Weathertight - Cargo and other hatchways Not as required 16) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Feb 8 and left the port en route to Diliskelesi. The last detentio was on March 21, 2024, in Ambarli with 25 deficiencies for three days. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
CG WAESCHE
The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Feb 10, 2025, that it has suspended its search for Seaman Bryan K. Lee, a 23-year-old crew member of the 'Waesche (WMSL 751)'. Lee was reported missing on the morning of Feb. 4 while the vessel was operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The search was called off on Feb. 8, after covering more than 19,000 square nautical miles over 190 hours without success. Lee, from Rancho Cordova, Calif., was discovered unaccounted for at 6:45 a.m. LT while the cutter was conducting a routine counter-drug patrol approximately 300 nautical miles south of Mexico. The cutter immediately diverted from its patrol to begin search operations.The search effort involved multiple Coast Guard assets as well as support from U.S. and Mexican agencies. Participating units included the 'Waesche' and its embarked helicopter aircrew, two Customs and Border Protection Dash-8 aircraft from Joint Interagency Task Force – South, a U.S. Air Force 39th Rescue Squadron C-130 aircraft, a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak C-130 aircraft, Waesche’s embarked unmanned aircraft system drone, a Mexican Navy offshore patrol vessel, and a Mexican Navy maritime patrol aircraft. The search remains suspended pending any new developments.
CONDOR LIBERATION
The 'Condor Liberation' has been put up for sale. The ferry is currently still used on crossings between the Channel Islands and the south coast of England, but Jersey's government has chosen the Danish company DFDS to run its future ferry services, meaning Condor will only serve Guernsey from April. The timetable, from April onwards, does not include the 'Condor Liberation', which has its last scheduled sailing on March 23. The ship broker GRS Group is advertising a ship in the Condor pink and yellow liver for sale on its website. The trimaran has been used by Condor since 2015.
CARLILLO
On the morning of Jan 31, 2025, the 'Carlillo' capsized and sank 17 miles south of the port of Rawson, loaded with shrimp. The fife crew members on board were rescued by another fishing vessel, the “Néstor V”, and were safeyl taken to port. The provincial Fishing authority requested the intervention of the Federal Court to elucidate the case and avoid situations of this type where overloading puts the crews at risk, but also because there would be another serious irregularity. According to the Secretary of Fisheries, one crew member was not registered as on board, while the person who should have occupied that place was ashore. The owner of the "Carlillo" assured that he has no history of overloading of that vessel in previous seasons, because it was an "administrative error" that was corrected precisely with the Secretary of Fisheries.
RMS NEUDORF
On Jan 29, 2025, the 'RMS Neudorf' was detained in Guiness at the Grove Wharf with 30 deficiencies, six of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Fire safety - Evaluation of crew performance Lack of familiarity 2) Fire safety - Fire dampers Not as requied 3) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Damaged 4) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats inventory Not as required 5) Life saving Appliances - Embarkation arrangements survival craft Not properly maintained 6) ISM - Ism cerificiate Not as required The vessel was released again on Feb 8 and left the port on Feb 10 en route to Ghent with an ETA as of Feb 11. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
AN YANG2
On Feb 8, 2025, the ' An Yang 2', en route from Changzhou to Nevelsk, ran aground in pos. 46° 39' N 141° 51 E in a heavy snowstorm at the southwest coast of Sakhalin peninsula in Russia with 20 crew members on board. First responders have not yet been able to reach the bulker, which was hard aground on the rocky shore just south of the port of Nevelsk on a water depth of only 2,7 meters. The vessel was exposed to heavy wave action and is broadside to the surf zone. The ship had aon board 56 tonnes of diesel, 706 tonnes of fuel oil, and1,000 tonnes of coal. The vessel suffered a leak, but no spillage was reported yet. The Russian authorities struggled to communicate with the Chinese crew which remained on boarrd. The vessel's starboard side bow anchor was deployed. The rescuers have installed booms on the shore. As soon as the weather permits, a similar structure will be put up around the ship to avoid a possible spill of petroleum products. Rescuers expected that the storm will subside on the evening of Feb 10 and then it will be possible to inspect the ship from inside and outside with an UAV. The regional authorities have prepared for different scenarios. In case of damage to the vessel, specialists began to build a technical road for pumping fuel from the tanks of the bulk carrier. A temporary accommodation facility has been set up in Nevelsk, where, if necessary, members of the ship's crew can stay. Reports with photos and video: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/chinese-bulker-runs-aground-in-storm-off-sakhalin https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3806816?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/278044719/cargo-ship-stranded-russias-sakhalin https://www.oreanda-news.com/en/v_mire/the-ministry-of-emergency-situations-will-use-an-underwater-drone-to-inspect-a-/article1546814/
KORALHAV
On Feb 10, 2025, at 1.45 a.m. a.m. the 'Koralhav' with 15 crew members on board ran aground on Litlbjørnøya just south of Rangsundøya in pos. 66° 33' N 012° 59' E in the Rødøy municipality, Nordland, en route from Ålesund while heading north to fish for haddock and cod when the accident occurred.. The lifeboat "Leif Erik Simonsen" was sent to the scene. The ship was resting on its starboard side with a significant list, but tere was no leak and no risk of an oil spill, as it had got stuck with the bow, so the lifeboat sailed again as there was no danger to the crew in calm weather conditions. The tide was falling at the time of the grounding, and the ship was waiting for a the tug 'Boa Brage' (IMO: 9551894) which was deployed by the Norwegian Coastal Administration and pulled it off again with the rising tide on Feb 10 at 10 a.m. It was then towed to Sandnessjøen for inspections and left the port again on Feb 11. Report with photo: https://www.nrk.no/nordland/bat-grunnstotte-i-natt-med-15-mann-om-bord-1.17260426
NIKO PIROSMANI
The "Niko Pirosmani" was detained in Gemlik on Feb 2, 2025, with 20 deficiencies, 12 of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - Manning specified by the minimum safe manning Doc Missing 2) Water/Weathertight - Ventilators, air pipes and casings Damaged 3) Life saving Appliances - Lifeboats Not properly maintained 4) Life saving Appliances - Lifeboats inventory Not as required 5) Life saving Appliances - Embarkation arrangement survival craft Not properly maintained 6) Life saving Appliances - Distress flares Expired 7) Structural conditions - Bulkhead - cracking Damaged 8)) Strucutural conditions - Other (Structural cond) Other 9) Safety of navigation - Charts Expired 10) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm system Inoperative 11) Pollution Prevention - Ballast Water Management Plan Not properly maintained 12) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required. The vessel was released again on Feb 8 and proceeded to Istanbul Anchorage, where it moored in pos. 40° 58' N 028° 54' E the same evening and remained stationary as of Feb 11. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591
VARAMO
On Feb 8, 2025, aman had to be medevaced from the 'Varamo', n route from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires, with a severe head trauma ad skull fracture, he had suffered in an accident on board. He was identified as the retired Frigate Captain Guillermo Tarapow, an experienced sailor and naval expert. The Argentine Naval Prefecture carried out the rescue in waters near Comodoro Rivadavia in adverse weather conditions, with strong winds and large waves. After a medical consultation by radio, it was determined that the man, who had received a strong blow to the head from a chain, needed to be urgently evacuated. Given the seriousness of the situation, a helicopter took off from the Comodoro Rivadavia air base with a team of specialized rescuers, accompanied by the PA-73 aircraft to provide logistical support. Despite the hurricane-force winds and rough seas, the crew managed to carry out an extremely precise air evacuation maneuver, stabilizing the injured man before transferring him to a medical center. Tarapow, who was working as a towing inspector on the 'Varamo', suffered the fracture when his command chair came loose due to the violent movements of the ship, caused by waves of up to five meters and winds of 60 knots.Upon arrival at the hospital, Tarapow was admitted in critical condition and is currently under intensive monitoring. The ship dropped anchor on Feb 9 in pos. 44° 51' S 065° 35' W, two days after leaving Puerto Deseado. Captain Tarapow is remembered for his bravery in the fire on the icebreaker 'ARA Irízar' in 2007. On that occasion, he led the evacuation of 241 crew members after a fire in the generator room, ensuring that everyone was rescued safe and sound before abandoning the ship himself. During this episode, Tarapow, who was the captain of the ship, disobeyed the orders of his superiors, including Captain Alejandro Losada and the Chief of the General Staff of the Navy, Jorge Omar Godoy, who told him to abandon ship. Instead of obeying the order, Tarapow remained on board. As a result of this disobedience, Tarapow faced two possible fates within the force: a court martial or requesting retirement. He opted for the latter option, although his decision was viewed with reservations. Report with photos: https://laopinionaustral.com.ar/comodoro-rivadavia/rescataron-a-un-reconocido-marino-con-fractura-de-craneo-protagonista-del-salvataje-durante-el-incendio-del-rompehielos-irizar-504396.html
SPARTA IV
The 'Sparta IV' is heading to the port of Tartus to pick up military equipment left behind by the Russians after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime anid is actually destined to Port Said with an ETA as of Fe 12, 2025. The military equipment transported by Russian cargo vessels will significantly bolster the Kremlin's supplies, which the ongoing war in Ukraine has seriously depleted. On the morning of Feb 8, several Russian container ships carrying weapons taken from Syria departed the Mediterranean Sea and entered the Atlantic Ocean, traveling north along the western coast of Portugal. They were accompanied by the landing ships 'Ivan Grien' and 'Aleksandr Otrakovsky' and the tanker 'General Skobielev'. In the Atlantic, the fleet was joined by the British fast patrol boat HMS 'Cutlass', which was responsible for protecting the waters around Gibraltar. The two Russian frigates 'Admiral Grigorovich' and 'Admiral Golovko', which had been assisting Sparta and Sparta II since they left Syrian waters on Jan 27, were not seen in the Atlantic. Their absence may indicate that they have turned around and are now escorting the 'Sparta IV', and once loaded, they will probably accompany it westward to save it from the fate of the 'Ursa Major', which sank off the coast of Oran, Algeria, on Dec 23 following an explosion. For two months, the Russian Navy tanker 'Yelnya' had been stationed off the coast of Algeria, waiting for two ships, and likely refueled these on Feb 6, allowing them to reach Syria. The Russian convoy navigating the Mediterranean was under constant surveillance by NATO aircraft and drones. It was likely shadowed alternately by two nuclear-powered submarines: the American USS 'Indiana' and the British HMS 'Anson'. These submarines made several trips back and forth through the Strait of Gibraltar in Jan and Feb.
IEVOLI STAR
Svenska kraftnät has sued the owner of the 'Selin D', now sailing as 'Ievoli Star' to pay 64 million Swedish crowns for a cable break that occurred on the evening of Jan 20, 2022, when the Swedish and Danish state power cable Konti-Skan 2 went out of power. During the investions, an unmanned underwater vehicle documented the trail of an anchor on the bottom. On the same evening that the cable break occurred, the 'Selin D' had passed through the area on its way from Latvia to Norway. For nine minutes, the ship maintained a reduced speed. Svenska kraftnät contacted Säpo, the Armed Forces and the police after the incident. The lawsuit stated that “the ship’s owner himself caused the damage through gross negligence and with the knowledge that such damage would likely occur.” The shipping company’s lawyers deny that the tanker pulled the cable, and that if the Maritime Court in Gothenburg finds it proven, then it was unintentional. The case has not yet been decided.
GNV ARIES
About one third of the 'GNV Aries' has been cut up to date at the Aliaga scrapyard since the arrival in November 2024 under tow of the tug “MSC Dragon”, ending a career which started in May 1987 as the 'Norsea', serving for the the North Sea Ferries on the Hull-Rotterdam line. In Oct2002 it went into service with P&O Ferries and in Jan 2003 it was renamed “Pride of York". In Oct 2003 it was registered in the name of P&O North Sea Ferries Ltd. In April 2021 it was sold to the Cypriot company Pride Ferries Shipping Ltd. and in May it was registered in Italy with the new name “GNV Aries”, covering the Naples-Palermo route together with its twin “GNV Antares”. Report with photo: https://www.puentedemando.com/desguace-del-ferry-italiano-gnv-aries-en-aliaga/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIXGslleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe__jphEaEABkCWynLXXryhHst6OFxpu_LxtRYmxgk5mgHB4LJfyIx6UTQ_aem_xS7EN99HiGspnlPICUoalw