The 'Kalolimnos' was boarded by 6-7 armed perpetrators on July 10, 2025, at 2.20 a.m., en route from Jubail to Chittagong Shipbreakers, while moored at the Chittagong ‘C’ Anchorage in pos. N 19''8' N 91°43.8' E off the coast of Bangladesh. The crew members were not injured and nothing was reported stolen in the incident. The Bangladesh Coast Guard later arrested the perpetrators and handed them over to the local police.
News
TORM ELIZABETH
Police in the Riau Islands have arrested 11 suspects accused of carrying out a series of armed robberies against cargo ships passing through the region’s border waters since 2017. The authorities were searching for three more pirate groups active in the area. The arrests were made by the Water and Air Police Directorate (Ditpolairud) of the Riau Islands Regional Police, following tips from the public and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in Singapore. The suspects were caught in the act of stealing spare parts from the 'Torm Elizabeth', en route from Ras Tanura to Zhongjia, near the Nipah and Phillips Straits in the Karimun district, where ships are required to slow down to between 0 and 5 knots. Pirates took advantage of this regulation to target ships that had reduced speed. Authorities began surveillance and patrols after receiving reports of suspicious activities at sea. On July 9, a team from the Water and Air Police intercepted a boat powered by a 72-horsepower Yamaha engine as it approached the vessel. The police arrested eight men onboard, identified only by their initials: S, I, R, RH, Z, SD, MI, and LA. Police found that the suspects used a 10-meter-long bamboo pole to hook ropes onto passing vessels and climb aboard. Some of them had thick calluses on their feet due to frequent barefoot climbing onto ships at night. They mainly targeted engine spare parts which could be resold for profit in Jakarta, sometimes earning as much as $6,000 from one raid. Further investigations led to the arrest of three more suspects. One of them, identified as P, was believed to be the coordinator of the robbery. Another, F, was caught with four packets of methamphetamine, and a third, A, was in charge of delivering stolen items to a person named Y in Jakarta. The gang used standard online ship-tracking websites to identify slow-moving targets. Before each robbery, they consumed methamphetamine to boost their confidence and reduce fear. The drug made them bolder, even willing to jump into the sea if chased or threatened. Although no firearms were found during the arrest, police discovered a homemade airsoft gun described as a “high-explosive type” that the suspects used to intimidate crew members. Investigators also suspected the gang previously had homemade firearms, though they were not in possession of any at the time of the operation. Along with the suspects, police also seized several items of evidence: a barge, three mobile phones, four packets of methamphetamine, an airsoft gun, and five boxes of stolen spare parts. The suspects werefacing multiple charges under Indonesian law, including aggravated theft under Article 363 of the Criminal Code, receiving and selling stolen goods under Article 480, narcotics-related offenses under Articles 112 and 197, and criminal conspiracy under Article 55. Based on the information collected during interrogation, police have also identified three other active piracy groups in the region, referred to as Groups J, O, and JO. Some members are repeat offenders who were previously arrested for similar crimes. One of the arrested suspects, S, is believed to have been involved with both Groups J and O in the past. 57 incidents of armed robbery were reported in the region in the first half of 2025, nearly four times more than the 15 cases reported during the same period of 2024.
MERINOS LIVESTOCK
The 'Merinos Livestock' came under arms fire near Hodeidah, en route from Bosaso to Jeddah, on July 24, 2025, b y a wooden skiff that was occupied by armed men. The ship was ordered to head to Mokh and then made a 180-degree turn and headed to the port The vessel was detained by the Yemeni Coast Guard for a brief time for suspicion before being released. The Naval forces expressed their concern over the vessel as it was travelling with its AIS turned off and was sailing close to the established maritime security transit corridor north of the Horn of Africa. There were no reports of damage to the vessel or injuries to the crew. The identity of the assailants that carried out the initial attack on the vessel was unknown.
ETERNITY C
A Russian crew member of the 'Eternity C'' is receiving treatment in Yemen, Russia's state news agency RIA said on July 17. RIA identified the Russian sailor as Aleksei Galaktionov, one of several crew members picked up by the Yemeni Navy after the ship sank. IThe man, who had sustained injuries in the attack, was said to be in markedly improved condition.10 people, among them eight crew members, and two security guards, had been rescued and taken to Saudi Arabia. The entire crew was Filipino, except for one Russian
ETERNITY C
Following the recent attack by the Houthi terrorists on the 'Eternity C' of the Cosmo Shipmanagement in Athens, the offshore tug 'Giant' (IMO: 9255907) was mobilized to the Red Sea by the Hellenic Association of Towboat Owners, in cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs in Athens to assist in the event of attacks and accidents. It is intended to protect human life and the environment and support global shipping. The tug is manned by a qualified crew of 14 Greek sailors. It has four 16,000 hp engines and is capable of operating in the most adverse weather conditions. The vessel is equipped with an IACS navigator. Its main tasks are providing assistance to ships in distress, combating marine pollution, and protecting human life. The 'Giant' also has firefighting capabilities (Level 2, i.e., 7,200 cubic meters of water per hour at a distance of 200 meters) with a self-protection system throughout the ship. There are rescue zones and accommodations for 40 people, with the ability to accommodate a rescue team and rescued persons. There is also a hospital on board and the ability to supply electricity to damaged vessels. It can support salvage operations and offers space for helicopter operations (with winch only) as well as storage of rescue equipment. The ship will support, protect, and assist Greek-owned vessels and Greek seafarers, according to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy supports the efforts and the cooperation between the public and private sectors.