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On Jan 22, the British Defence Minister John Healey has issued a warning to Vladimir Putin after the sighting of the 'Yantar', which was being "used to gather intelligence and map the UK's critical underwater infrastructure. The Yantar is currently in the North Sea after having passed through British waters. Let me be clear, this is a Russian spy being used to gather intelligence and map Britain’s essential underwater infrastructure. He said the incident was "another example of growing Russian aggression. I also wanted President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you're doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country." The 'Yantar' is now in the North Sea after being about 72 kilometres off the British coast on Jan 20, where it was followed by two Royal Navy ships, the HMS 'Somerset' and HMS 'Tyne', which was the second time the 'Yantar' had entered British waters in recent months. In November, it was also detected as it was prowling around underwater infrastructure, Healey told the House of Commons. British warships have reported the presence of Russian ships in their waters on several occasions in recent months. Russia has been stepping up this activity since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Report with photo: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/we-see-you-uk-warns-putin-as-navy-tracks-spy-ship-in-north-sea-jpss55vrs

On Jan 16, 2025, the Manassa Moon M' was detained in Kocaeli with 29 deficiencies, nine of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - Cargo Ship Safety Construction (incl exemption) Withdrawn 2) Structural conditions - Hull - cracking Cracked 3) Structural conditions - Beams, frames, floors op damage Loose 4) Fire safety - Remote Means of control (Machinery spaces) Not as required 5) Safety of navigation - Record of drills and steering gear test Lack of information 6) Pollution Prevention - Suspected of discharge violation Not as required 7) Living and working - Cleanliness of engine room Insufficient 8)) Living and working - Guards, fencing around dangerous machinery parts Missing 9) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Jan 18, being permitted a single voyage to the shipyard area in Tuzla for permanent repairs, but instead called at Sulina on Jan 21. The last detentions were on Dec 16,2023:, in Alexandria, with 21 deficiencies for ten days and on Sep 23, 2023, in: Piraeus, with 15 deficiencies for five days. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

On Jan 17, 2025, the 'Fortius' was detained in Kocaeli with 17 deficiencies, four of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - Records of seafarers daily hours of work and rest Missing 2) Certificate & Doc - Maximum hours of work and minimum hours of rest Not as required 3) Structural conditions - Hull - Construction Not as required 4) Structural conditions - Beams, frames, floors - construction Not as required The vessel was released again on Jan 20 and left the port en route to Izmail with an ETA as of Jan 22. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591

Ukrferry has launched a new connection between Varna and Batumi, using the 'Vilnius', which can carry 50 universal railway wagons and 50 TIR heavy trucks simultaneously, made a trip from Varna to Batumi and back. On Jan 21, 2025, the vessel was set to depart again. It is planned that it will operate weekly regular trips. To order transportation, contact us or directly to agents in the ports of Varna -- https://www.ukrferry.com/en/contacts/agenty-v-bolgarii Batumi -- https://www.ukrferry.com/en/contacts/in-georgia The 'Vilnius' has been refurbished at the Varna Ship Repair and Shipbuilding Plant. The Bulgarian maritime agent Vart BG later assured that the vessel passed all necessary inspections and that there were no technical issues with its service at the Varna ferry complex. Rail wagons, trucks, other rolling stock, as well as passengers and their vehicles are accepted for transportation. Interest in transportation between Varna and Georgia has been shown not only by the Ukrainian company. In Dec 2024, the AIA ferry transported railway tankers and wagons from the Varna ferry complex to Poti for the second time. AIA operates between the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanța and Georgia, but the shipping company E60 Shipping Line has announced its intention to launch regular ferry services between Varna and Poti. Weekly voyages are planned by the “Vilnius”. https://www.ukrferry.com/en/schedule https://www.ukrferry.com/en/tariffs

On Jan 21, 2025, the 'Atlas Bey' was detained in Iskenderun with 16 deficiencies, four of whch being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Fire safety - Jacketed high pressure lines and oil leakage alarm Inoperative 2) Safety of navigation - Long-range identification and tracking system Missing 3) Safety of navigation - Nautical publications Expired 4) Certificate & Doc - Other (Certificates) Other. The vessel was released again on Jan 21 and left the port en route to Batumi with an ETA as of Jan 29. The last detention was on Oct 14, 2024, in Bandirma with 11 deficiencies for two days. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063576908591