The "Kokoo," seized in the Autonomous Port of Nouméa on Feb 8, has been declared abandoned on April 30. Its 13 crew members were also abandoned on board and cared for by the state. Six Chinese sailors were repatriated on June 21. Seven Burmese sailors were still awaiting treatment. The vessel had been detained due to serious safety defects, endangering the crew and the marine environment, after it was seized by customs for tobacco smuggling. With no response from the shipowner or the Tanzanian flag authorities, the vessel was declared abandoned. Without a shipping agent, the 13 crew members were faicing a deteriorating situation with no resources (food and hygiene) and no wage payments due to their abandonment, and no dockside security, as normally provided by an agency, due to lack of funding. The local community ensured their food and medical care. The vital support of the representative association of New Caledonian seafarers (Synmar NC), in conjunction with international organizations (IMO/ILO) and the ITF, was particularly decisive in managing the case, which resulted in the partial repatriation. Steps were continuing for the repatriation of the seven Burmese sailors still on the ship.
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SCOT BREMEN
After eight arrests in the Blankenberge mariina, where the suspects had tried to launch a boat in the middle of the night of June 22, 2025, customs investigators have found hundreds of kilos of drugs aboard the 'Scot Bremen' in Zeebrugge on June 24. According to initial estimates, the drugs amounted to more than half a ton. The arrestants may have been planning to pick up the cocaine at sea, when they were caught by the local Blankenberge/Zuienkerke police. The 'Scot Bremen' was en route from Pecem to the port of Ghent, but was forced to change course towards Zeebrugge. Due to the bad weather conditions, the ship initally had to remain off the coast on June 23 and could only be searched by customs on June 24, once it had berthed at Quay 205 at the Westerhoofd terminal. The tanker had left Pecémat the end of May and made a stopover in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) on June 14. The ship was still being searched on the afternoon of June 24. Due to the ongoing investigation, it wasnot clear whether additional arrests or detentions were made. The tanker remained stationary in Zeebrugge as of June 26.
SELVA
The two stateless tankers 'Sierra' (IMO: 9522324) and 'Naxos', inbound to the Russian oil operations in the Baltic, were spotted sailing with the Russian Steregushchy-class corvette 'Boikiy'. following the increasing effort by the Baltic nations and the EU to crack down on the shadow fleet, and after after Estonia recemtöy jad attempted to inspect another tanker that was suspected of being stateless. The 'Bolky' had disguised itself using a fake ID signal while transiting through the English Channel with the two sanctioned tankers, a BBC. It broadcast the fake ID code as it passed through the Channel on June 21. The ship had left West Africa in June, where it had been taking part in a diplomatic mission and docked in Conakry. The corvette left the port without activating its AIS. However, a vessel travelling under the generic identification number 400000000 - a code sometimes used by vessels who want to alert others to their presence for safety reasons without identifying themselves - was seen briefly near the Canary Islands. The location was consistent with the time it could have taken the 'Boikiy' to travel the 200 kilometres from Conakry. The 'Boikiy' was later joined by the two tankers which had made their way from India through the Suez Canal and across the Mediterranean. The three vessels rendezvoused at the mouth of the Channel on June 20. Here, the Russian naval vessel appeared again in radar-based and optical satellite images. The 'Naxos' had reached the entrance to the Channel several days earlier than the other ships, and waited for the warship before proceeding into the channel. The Royal Navy shadowed the 'Boikiy' as it passed through the Channel. The vessels have since reached the Kattegat, but neither tanker was showing an accurate destination on its AIS. Both the 'Sierran' and the 'Naxos' been sanctioned by the UK, and one also by the EU. The tankers are linked to companies in Dubai and India. The 'Naxos' has been alternately using the name 'Selva ', displaying Palau as its flag, after previously showing Panama. In 2022, it reported registry first in the Marshall Islands and later in St. Kitts and Nevis. The 'Sierra' is displaying a flag of Malawi after having been registered in São Tomé & Principe in 2023 and before in Barbados and Gabon. Until 2022, the vessel was named 'Suvorovsky Prospect', managed by Russia’s Sovcomflot. The corvette appeared to be employed for various escort duties of merchant ships.In mid-May, it was spotted escorting the Russian-flagged cargo vessels 'Siyanie Severa' and 'Patria', while they headed south into the Atlantic Ocean. In March and in early May, the UK's Royal Navy tracked the warship along with merchant ships during transits of the English Channel. Last week, Denmark identified another stateless tanker inbound to Russia. The Danish Maritime Authority reported that the tanker had misled the authorities, reporting it was registered in Comoros. Denmark tracked the vessel into and out of the Baltic but did not attempt to stop it. Other countries, including Sweden, have vowed to increase their efforts if the stateless tankers enter their territories. The EU and UK have also increased the number of tankers they have listed. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62gq6y62d1o
STENA FUTURA
The Stena Futura, the first of Stena Line's new hybrid ferries built by the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai, for the Irish Sea, has successfully completed its sea trials on the Yellow Sea off Weihai in June 2025. The vessel is scheduled to enter service on the Belfast-Heysham route in late summer. The sea trials tested the vessel at sea to demonstrate proper operation and ensure that all systems are fully functional and meet agreed specifications. The tests were covering areas such as engine performance and endurance, fuel consumption, navigation and radio equipment, emergency systems, speed tests, maneuverability, engine and thruster tests, and safety tests. Once in service, the 'Stena Futura' and its sister ship, the 'Stena Connecta', will increase cargo capacity on the Belfast-Heysham route by 40 percent. The two hybrid ferries are equipped to run on methanol fuel and play a key role in Stena Line's sustainability efforts. The ships are also equipped with technologies that enable the use of battery propulsion and shore power when available. Report with photo: https://news.cision.com/de/stena-line-deutschland/r/stena-futura-schliesst-seeerprobung-in-china-erfolgreich-ab,c4162674
CARNIVAL LIBERTY
The 'Carnival Liberty' will not be returning to service as scheduled after its dry dock stay. Recent changes have led to the unexpected cancelation of its July 6, 2025, sailing from New Orleans. Guests booked on the now-canceled voyage received email notifications. The change in plans was due to a worker’s strike at the shipyard in Cádiz. After negotiations with strikers, the ship was moved to the Chantier Naval de Marseille on June 22 with an ETA as of June 24 in order to complete the trfurbishment work. The canceled voyage was a 7-night Bahamas itinerary from New Orleans, with scheduled stops at Key West, Freeport, and Nassau. The July 13 sailing – a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary – remained on schedule. - Full Refunds: All booked guests will automatically receive a full refund for their cruise fare, port taxes, and any pre-paid add-ons, such as gratuities, internet connectivity, drink packages, and shore tours. Refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment. - Future Cruise Credit (FCC): In addition to the full refund, Carnival is providing a 100% future cruise credit (FCC) for the cruise fare. This credit must be redeemed no later than June 30, 2026, and can be used on any Carnival cruise, allowing guests to rebook on any ship, homeport, itinerary length, or sailing date. - Airfare Reimbursement: Carnival will also reimburse guests up to $200 per person for non-refundable airfare or air change fees, provided supporting documentation is submitted for consideration.