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After the cargo m/v 'Dolphin 18' (IMO: 9216341) sank in the South China Sea about 146 nautical miles north of Riau Islands on the morning of Jan 11, 2025, en route to An Giang with 5,300 cubic meters of wood as cargo, the 18 crew members were recovered from two life rafts by the crew of the 'Nicolai Maersk', which was niearby on its way from Nansha, and diverted to the accident site. They were transported to Tanjung Pelepas aboard the container ship and dropped off on Jan 12, before it continued on its way to Singapore.

The new gates for the lock in Müden have been completed, and they were loaded onto a ship in Trier-Zewen on Jan 14. They will then be brought to Müden on Jan 15. The gate fis 12 meters high, 14 meters wide and weighs 80 tons. It consists of two parts. Early on the morning, work began on loading the two gate wings onto a ship at the construction yard of the Waterways and Shipping Office in Trier-Zewen with a crane. Normally, the construction of the replacement gate for the lock in Müden would have taken much longer. The fact that things went so quickly was mainly due to the fact that many employees in the Waterways and Shipping Office's construction yard worked overtime after the 'Regina K' had crashed into the lock gate in Müden and severely damaged it. Work on the defective lock progressed well. The defective parts were removed and the damaged concrete parts were re-cast. The ship will then set off towards Müden on Jan 15. The journey across the Moselle takes about one and a half days, so the gates will arrive on Jan 17. However, the gate cannot be installed until the end of next week because the concrete work on the barrage will be ongoing until then. The work is due to be completed at the beginning of February. Only then will normal ship traffic be possible on the Moselle again, around a month earlier than originally planned. Report with photos: https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/trier/neue-schleusentore-fuer-schleuse-in-mueden-verladen-100.html

Three tankers with a total of 270,300 tons of oil on board are drifting off the coast of China as the consequence of a new US sanctions package against Russia. The measures were decided by Washington last week and appear to be causing major problems for Russian oil exports. The Chinese port of Shandong has banned ships that are subject to US sanctions because of the package of measures. Most of the oil is imported via the port of Shandong. Affected by the sanctions are the "Huihai Pacific", the "Mermar" and the "Olia". What will happen to the ships now was unclear at this stage. The 'Olia' had left the Russion oil port of Kozmino on Dec 3, 2024, and moored in pos. 38° 16' N 121° 55' E on Jan 13, 2025.

On Jan 12, 2025, at 10.30 a.m.the 'Kerstin', en route from Frakfurt upon Main to Merksem, loaded with a cargo of wheat, blocked the Obernau lock on the Main in Aschaffenburg-Obernau for almost an hour. At around 10:30 a.m. the ship was saiiling downstream on the Main, when it turned perpendicular to the fairway in the upper water of the lock directly in front of the entrance at a 45-degree angle and nearly allided with the moored river cruise ship ' Amadeus Silver II'. The captain was just able to avoid an allision with the passenger ship and, thanks to his quick reaction, avoid further damage to property. The bow of the 'Kerstin' was stuck at the quay. Two other cargo ships, among them the 'Käthe Krieger', quickly came to assist and established a towing connection. The 'Kersitn' was pulled straight again and finally moored on the bank. A crew member of one of the assisting ships sustained an injury during the operation and had to be taken to hospital for further examination. The lock chamber was navigable again after just under an hour. In addition to the water police, representatives from the shipping administration were on site and inspected the ship before it could continue its voyage to Niehl, where it arrived on Jan 13. Reports with photos and video: https://www.main-echo.de/ressorts/blaulicht/frachtschiff-dreht-vor-obernauer-schleuse-quer-art-8429741 https://www.tvmainfranken.de/zusammenstoss-mit-passagierschiff-gerade-noch-verhindert-querstehendes-frachtschiff-blockiert-obernauer-schleuse-374216/ https://www.tvmainfranken.de/mediathek/video/zusammenstoss-gerade-noch-verhindert-querstehendes-frachtschiff-blockiert-obernauer-schleuse/

The medical evacuation of a female passenger from the 'Aidablu, en route from Las Palmas to Funchal, was requested 79 nautical miles north of Tenerife on Jan 13, 2025. The SAR helicopter Helimer 202 was mobilized by the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife, The woman was hoisted aboard along with the ship's doctor and subeseuqnetly tranported to the Negrín hospital in Las Palmas for further medical care.

The "Lady Nuray" was detained in Trieste on Jan 7, 2025, with 17 deficiencies, nine of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Structural conditions - Steering gear Not as required 2) Certificate & Doc - Seafarers employment agreement Expired 3) Safety of navigation - Radar Missing 4) Fire safety - Fire doors/openings in fire resisting division Not as required 5) Fire safety - Remote Means of control (Machinery spaces) Inoperative 6) Fire safety - Evaluation of crew performance Lack of training 7) Pollution Prevention - Oil filtering equipment 'Inoperative 8)) Labour conditions - Sanitary facilities Not as required 9) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Jan 13, but has been banned from all Paris MOU ports for the next three months. The last detentions were on April 12, 2023, in Cagliari,with 36 deficiencies for seven days and on Sep 22, 2022, in Livorn with 20 deficiencies for eight days. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

Last minute snags on the 'Glen Sannox' meant that one of its decks remained closed on its official launch on Jan 13. The long-awaited vessel was one of two major ferries being constructed at Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow. CalMac was still dealing with a small number of issues onte ferry, including oil contamination in a hydraulic system which has forced the closure of a mezzanine deck. The closure did not affect capacity because of low demand over the winter period. Originally due for delivery in 2018, the ferry and the 3,000-tonne sister ship 'Glen Rosa' were first ordered in 2015 and have endured a saga of costly delays and technical problems. The 'Glen Sanno'x will serve Arran and operate from Troon, South Ayrshire, with the Caledonian Isles ferry forming the other part of a two-vessel service to the island from Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, from March 28.

On the evening of Jan 8, 2025, a fire broke out in the engine room of the “Bram Force” while it was operating in the Campos Basin, close to the P-37 platform of the oil company Petrobrás. Other offshore tugs were mobilized to contain the fire and minimize risks. The fire has been brought under control after approximately 12 hours. All crew members were safely evacuated and rescued by a Maersk vessel. The ship was to be towed to the Port of Açu. An Administrative Inquiry into Accidents and Facts of Navigation (IAFN) will be opened to determine the causes, circumstances and possible responsibilities. Sindipetro-NF was investigating the accident along with Petrobrás, although it does not represent maritime workers. Report with photo: https://radioaurora.com.br/incendio-em-embarcacao-na-bacia-de-campos-mobiliza-operacoes-de-resgate/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMV9pwenyq0

Three tankers with a total of 270,300 tons of oil on board are drifting off the coast of China as the consequence of a new US sanctions package against Russia. The measures were decided by Washington last week and appear to be causing major problems for Russian oil exports. The Chinese port of Shandong has banned ships that are subject to US sanctions because of the package of measures. Most of the oil is imported via the port of Shandong. Affected by the sanctions are the "Huihai Pacific", the "Mermar" and the "Olia". What will happen to the ships now was unclear at this stage. The 'Mermar' had left the Russian oil port of Kozmino on Dec 1, 2024, and moored in pos. 37° 46' N 120° 10' E on Jan 11, 2025.Three tankers with a total of 270,300 tons of oil on board are drifting off the coast of China as the consequence of a new US sanctions package against Russia. The measures were decided by Washington last week and appear to be causing major problems for Russian oil exports. The Chinese port of Shandong has banned ships that are subject to US sanctions because of the package of measures. Most of the oil is imported via the port of Shandong. Affected by the sanctions are the "Huihai Pacific", the "Mermar" and the "Olia". What will happen to the ships now was unclear at this stage. The ''Huhai Pacific'' had left the Russian oil port of Kozmino on Dec 2, 2024, and moored in pos. 37° 46' N 120° 10' E on Jan 8, 2025.

On Jan 14 the 'Eventin' remained stationary off Sassnitz, connected to the tugs 'VB Bremen' and 'VB Meteor' with the 'Farmar Orion' nearby and the anti pollution ship 'Ataiir' monitoring the situation. The special permit required for further towing was still pending. A large tug with so-called overseas gear was also still missing for the crossing, so it was unclear whether the 'Eventin' would set off this day. As the oil on board is embargoed goods, the ship could not be towed to Sassnitz or to another German port - that would only have been possible in an emergency. However, the embargo on Russian oil also applies in Denmark, hence the wait for the special permit. While the ship no longer poses an acute danger, it is unable to maneuver and has to be repaired. The crew has already tried to find the fault, but so far without success. In addition to the tanker's main engine, the auxiliary units have also failed. For this reason, the anchor could not be dropped, as it would no longer be possible to hoist it up without auxiliary units. The ship now has power again, probably via emergency generators, which means that the 24-strong crew can again provide for themselves. The environmental organization Greenpeace classifies the "Eventin" as part of the Russian shadow fleet. These are ships that Russia uses to try to circumvent Western sanctions and sell oil. These ships often fly the flag of countries with less strict laws. They are usually outdated, rusty and dilapidated and therefore pose a danger to the environment. In the case of the "Eventin", the shipowner comes from the United Arab Emirates, and the tanker flies the Panama flag. Report with video: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Verzoegerung-Oeltanker-Eventin-soll-nach-Skagen-geschleppt-werden,oeltanker130.html

On Jan 12, 2025, the 'Baltimar Euros' was sighted capsized at Cristobal's Inner Anchorage in pos. 9 21.8 N 79 54.0 W. The ship was resting on its port side, with the starboard side just visible above the water. An oil boom was floating around the wreck. The last AIS signal of the ship dated from Dec 16, 2024. It had arrived on the anchorage on Dec 8, 2017. Photos: https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3798090?navList=gallery&category=61&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3798509?navList=gallery&category=61&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest

On JKan 13, Finland placed a travel ban on a ninth member of the crew of the 'Eagle S', which is a less severe form of an arrest, which affords the suspects their immediate freedom while still allowing the authorities to keep in contact with them. The tanker is suspected to have damaged multiple subsea cables in the Baltic Sea on Dec 23, 2024. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has stated that all nine crew members have been detained for questioning in the frame of the criminal investigation. Following the incident, Finnish authorities found that the position of the tanker coincided with the position of the subsea cable at the time of its severing. The vessel was then seized, the cargo arrested, and eight crew members had travel bans placed on them. The tanker remained moored near Porvoo’s Anchorage, while law enforcement were carriyiing out their investigation.

On the evening of Jan 13, the tug 'Boxer' assisted the 'Viking Vela' towards Ålesund. The ship docked in Ålesund at around 8.30 p.m. UTC. The ship has had some alarms triggered that indicated that there were problems with the steering on board at noon. As a consequuence, the cruise ship has chosen to go to port in Ålesund to check what the cause was. En route to the port, the Coast uard ship 'Hopen' and two tugs proceeded o assist the cruise ship if needed. Reporta with photoa: https://www.smp.no/nyheter/i/jQbRnn/cruiseskip-har-problemer-utenfor-aalesund https://www.nrk.no/mr/cruiseskip-har-problemer-utenfor-alesund-1.17204025

The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia announced that on the night of Jan12, the 18 Vietnamese seafarers who were on board the 'Dolphin 18', were welcomed back to Tanjung Pelepas in good physical condition. The 'Nicolai Maersk', which rescued the castaways, has provided the necessary services for their entry into Malaysia and was working on finalizing the formalities for their return to Vietnam. According to the captain's report, the engine of the 'Dolphin 18' stopped working in extremely severe weather conditions with strong winds and rough seas 274 nautical miles southwest of Vung Tau, forcing the crew to send out a distress signal. The 'Nicolai Maersk' received the call and confirmed its response before the 'Dolphin 18' sank rapidly. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said its Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received an emergency call from the 'Nicolai Maersk', operating within Singapore's maritime SAR zone. The MRCC coordinated the operation and issued a maritime advisory asking nearby vessels to monitor and report any information about the vessel in distress. Administrative procedures for the repatriation of the castaways were underway.

On Jan 12, 2025, at 5 p.m. the 'Harvest Spirit', en route from Thunder Bay to Windsor with a cargo of canola, suffered a mechanical failure and ran aground on the Neebish Island side while sailing northbound on the St. Marys River above the Rock Cut, just north of the Neebish Island Ferry Dock. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes was coordinating closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reopen the channel to downbound traffic on the St. Marys River on Jan 13. The upbound traffic channel on the St. Marys River remained open. The swift current eventually swung the vessel’s stern around until the vessel was heading back upstream, in the process freeing the ship. Just after 9 p.m. the Purvis Marine tug 'Wilfred M. Cohen' (IMO: 7629271) arrived on scene to assist turning the 'Harvest Spirit' about so she was headed back down river and headed to Mud Lake under her own power to anchor. The downbound 'American Spirit' was held at the locks until the operation was completed. She was followed by the 'Edwin H. Gott', which anchored off Bay Mills. Efforts were underway on Jan 13 to recover an anchor from the 'Harvest Spirit', which got lost in the incident. Reports with photos: https://www.sooleader.com/local-news/canadian-vessel-runs-aground-pausing-downbound-st-marys-traffic-10067658 https://boatnerd.com/boatnerd-news-january-13-2025/

Three tankers with a total of 270,300 tons of oil on board are drifting off the coast of China as the consequence of a new US sanctions package against Russia. The measures were decided by Washington last week and appear to be causing major problems for Russian oil exports. The Chinese port of Shandong has banned ships that are subject to US sanctions because of the package of measures. Most of the oil is imported via the port of Shandong. Affected by the sanctions are the "Huihai Pacific", the "Mermar" and the "Olia". What will happen to the ships now was unclear at this stage. The 'Mermar' had left the Russian oil port of Kozmino on Dec 1, 2024, and moored in pos. 37° 46' N 120° 10' E on Jan 11, 2025.

On Jan 12, 2025, a 61-year-old woman needed to be medevaced from the 'AIDAmar' after she suffered a lung infection. The ship was sailing 280 kilometers southwest of the island El Hierro at that time. The captain informed Salvamento Marítimo, which in turn notified the Canary Islands' air rescue coordination cente. An HD 21 Super Puma air force helicopter, which is stationed on Gran Canaria, was deployed to tisembark the patient. In addition, a D4 VIGMA aircraft was mobilized to transmit wind data to the helicopter, which hoisted the woman and transported her to hospital for further medical care. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1878765213627166745

The "Viking Vela", en route from Ijmuiden to Narvik with 998 passengers on board suffered propulsion and steering problems outside Ålesund on the early morning of Jan 13, 2025. The MRC South was monitoring the situation. There was no rescue operation or acute danger for those on board. Followong a strong storm earlier in the day, the wind has decreasedbetween a stiff and strong gale, expected to decrease further throughout the afternoon. At 2.20 p.m. the patrol boat 'Hopen' was near the 'Viking Vela' in order to escort into Breidsundet. The ship was heading to Ålesund for inspection and repairs,

The decommissioned oil rig 'Viking Valiant' (IMO: 8753330), which was being towed by the 'SPM Neel Pratab 180', en route from Invergordon to breakers in Aliağa, broke lose from the tug in stormy weather and ran aground on the beach of El Haouichet, 20 kiloometers east of Bizerte. Due to bad weather conditions, the towing wire broke, and the platform started drifting towards the shore. No pollution or other environmental damage was reported, The current value of the oil rig was 323 million US dollars. Reports with photos: https://www.lessentiel.lu/fr/story/en-tunisie-une-plateforme-petroliere-echouee-sur-une-plage-103257518 https://www.leparisien.fr/economie/une-plate-forme-petroliere-sechoue-sur-une-plage-dans-le-nord-de-la-tunisie-13-01-2025-NKHHNCHR4BGZPBMNLIL76DRB3Y.php https://www.mosaiquefm.net/fr/actualite-regional-tunisie/1366780/une-plateforme-petroliere-echouee-sur-une-plage-a-bizerte https://www.voaafrique.com/a/une-plateforme-p%C3%A9troli%C3%A8re-%C3%A9chou%C3%A9e-sur-une-plage-dans-le-nord-de-la-tunisie/7935037.html

The removal of fuel from the HMNZS 'Manwanui' is likely to resume this week after it was halted due to bad weather last week. The recovery of fuel and other pollutants from thhe wreck was progressing with a quantity of fuel already removed. More than 100 tons were removed and brought to Apia over a week ago. It was initially estimated that the sunken vessel’s tanks had more than 900 tons of diesel. On Jan 13, due to deteriorating weather and sea conditions, the salvor moved the barge from above the 'Manawanui' to Apia to offload the recovered fuel and other pollutants held in the tank-tainers, Weather conditions in the harbour prevented safe operations and the tug and barge proceeded back out to sea to await more favourable weather and remained seeking shelter from the current weather system. Once offloaded, the tank-tainers will be securely stored at the port and then the fuel and other pollutants will be transferred to an agreed delivery point for processing and stowage whilst working through disposal processes. The Safety Buffer Zone around the site has remained in place, to protect the anchors and buoys, and to ensure the safety of people who might be on the water in the area. The NZDF dive team continued to monitor Manawanui and the surrounding area and support the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa sea water sample collection. There is no timeframe set for the removal of the fuel from the Manawanui.