News

The FBI is investigating the death case onboard the 'Carnival Dream', which happened around July 23 in the area of Belize City during a 6-day Western Caribbean voyage. It returned to Galveston, Texas, on July 26. An FBI maritime liaison agent, based out of the Texas City resident agency, was coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and the cruise line regarding the incident as a standard practice for the FBI to review deaths that occur on cruise ships. The routine protocol ensures transparency. It does not automatically imply suspicious circumstances, and the facts of this matter did not suggest any such activity. The FBI is the primary federal agency authorized to investigate potential crimes on the high seas.

On the early morning of July 29, the 'Salvamar Spica' rescued eight migrants of North African origin, including a woman and three minors, who were sailing on a small boat, which was located 28 nautical miles southeast of Cabo de Gata in the Alboran Sea. The boat was spotted by the crew of the ferry 'Kalliste' (IMO: 9050618), sailing between Nador and Marseille, which notified the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Almería. Following the alert, the 'Salvamar Spica' was mobilized and proceeded to rescue the occupants. The migrants were taken on board and disembarked at around 2:23 a.m. in the port of Almería, where they were treated by a humanitarian assistance team. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1950091971160121433

arrived Chittagong Anchorage 28.07.25

The 'Kvaløy' suffered technical problems and had to be removed from the route Småge – Finnøya – Sandøya – Ona on July 28., The speed boat 'Lagertha' was inserted as a replacement with a departure from Ona at 12:00 p.m., following the established timetable and taking a maximum of 46 passengers. The 'Kvaløy' was sidelined in Småge and expected back in operation on July 30, departing from Ona at 05:20 a.m. Between 10 and 15 cars that were supposed to travel by ferry were stuck at the ferry pier of Ona for the time being.

The 'Colimetals', en route from Antwerp to Ghent, allided with the tank barge 'Rijnvallei' (MMSI: 244700930) on July 25, 2025, at around 10:40 p.m. at the waiting quay in Sas van Ghent. No injuries were reported, but the vessels were damaged. The 'Colimetals' suffered sigfnificant bow damage mainly at starboard side, when it struck the 'Rijnvallei' at the stern, which sustained damage to its rudder system and had to be taken to a shipyard for repairs. The ship left Ghent on July 28 and berthed in Hansweert on July 29. The 'Colimetals' remained stationary in Ghent as of July 29. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/07/28/belgisch-schip-raakt-achterkant-nederlandse-tanker-bij-sas-van-gent/

The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies in Cuxhaven has terminated its overall operational control of the oil spill following the collision of the 'Coastal Legend' and the 'Capella' in Cuxhaven's outer harbour and handed over the further proceedings to the City of Cuxhaven as the Lower Water Authority on July 25 at 9 a.m. Personnel from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief resumed operations on site on the morning. Small amounts of oil remained in the water. The oil booms initially remained in the port basin. Since the oil collection began, approximately 240 cubic metres of the oil-water mixture have been removed. Water samples were taken on July 28. The exact amount of marine diesel leaked from the offshore supply vessel remained unclear, but it was likely between six and 12 cubic metres. Regarding the cause of the allision, initial investigations indicated that the captain of the 'Capella' had misjudged the circumstances. According to police, there was initially no indication of a technical fault. The 'Coastal Legend' was berthed at Empting Drydock on July 27 and remained stationary as of July 29.

The 'Loch Ranza', serving on the route Tayinloan.Gigha, suffered a technical issue with the engine belt on July 28, rendering the service liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. The following sailings were cancelled: DepartureTayinloan - 03:00 p.m.; Departure Gigha - 003:30 p.m. After the issue wasresolved, the service was resume at 04:00 p.m.

Two years after damaging the Balticconnector pipeline and communication cables in the Gulf of Finland, the 'Newnew Polar Bear' has set sail for the Arctic again. Ot received a permit for Russia’s Northern Sea Route on July 22 and is currently heading north in the Sea of Japan in the direction of the Bering Strait. Russian authorities cleared the vessel to transit the Arctic in both westward and eastward directions between Aug 1 and Oct 31. This will be the vessel’s first return to Europe and the Arctic since the incident. Beijing officials initially had claimed that the dragging of the anchor was an accident caused by severe storm conditions, though meteorological conditions at the time were mild for the Baltic Sea in fall. Investigators and industry experts remained skeptical that the vessel could have accidentally dragged its anchor unnoticed for more than 100 nautical miles. The 'Newnew Polar Bear' incident caused more than $40 million in damages and for months disrupted regional energy and communication infrastructure. A criminal case against the captain Wan Wenguo is currently winding its way through the Chinese court system, with another round of hearings not before September 2025.

The Walloon Waterways Directorate continued to deal with the 'Kepejora', that sank in Auvelais. After the barge has been emptied of its 1,400 tons of scrap cargo, a specialized company was preparing the wreck for refloating on July 29, using powerful pumps, which have to remove the same amount of water from the flooded holds, in an effort to quickly restore ship traffic on the Sambre, which remained suspended due to a pollution threat. Report with photo: https://www.lavenir.net/regions/namur/2025/07/29/sambreville-dans-la-peniche-coulee-1-400-000-litres-deau-a-pomper-6YQMZR4RR5FRJCNSKZYPIPX7GY/

The French shipping company Corsica Linea has announced the cancellation of a crossing between Marseille and Algiers by the 'Méditerranée', scheduled for June 29,. The ship was unable to leave the port of Algiers for reasons beyond the control of the shipowner. On June 28, Corsica Linea indicated that the 'Méditerranée' was still immobilized in Algiers, preventing it from making its rotation to Marseille scheduled for June 29. Corsica Linea urged passengers affected by this cancellation not to show up at the port of Marseille. The company has set up an information system including text messages and phone calls to warn affected travelers. The shipowner assured that it would provide additional information as soon as possible, This cancellation came amid recurring tensions surrounding port controls between France and Algeria. On June 26, 2025, Algérie Ferries had issued a statement explaining that the ferry 'El Venizelos', chartered for the summer season, had been detained in Marseille for nearly a week. The detention was the result of a routine inspection conducted by the French port authorities. These checks revealed the need to improve certain of the ferry's equipment to ensure its proper functioning. Despite this restraint, Algérie Ferries reassured its customers that the detention of the 'El Venizelos' would have no impact on its summer schedule with the rest of its fleet continuing to operate its usual routes between Algeria and Europe.

The Rotterdam District Court has ruled that the owner of the 'Perficio' is entitled to limit its liability for damage caused by the allision with the lifting bridge at Humbeek-Sas on June 29, 2023. The judge rejected an attempt by the Flemish government to halt the Dutch proceedings in favour of a Belgian lawsuit. The accident had caused significant damage to the bridge. De Vlaamse Waterweg NV (DVW), the bridge's manager, held the vessel and its owners liable. Shortly thereafter,the Perficio Shipping, together with its insurer EOC, initiated limitation proceedings in the Netherlands. With these proceedings, ship owners attempt to financially limit their liability, based on the international CLNI Convention. A few days later, DVW also initiated civil proceedings in Belgium, demanding, among other things, that the ship owner not be entitled to limitation of liability. The Belgian case preceded the Dutch proceedings, and the Rotterdam court should therefore postpone its judgment (the so-called lis pendens defense). However, the court disagreed: the limitation proceedings in Rotterdam had been initiated earlier and constituted the starting point for the subsequent substantive proceedings, the so-called reckless proceedings. The case in Rotterdam revolved solely around the question of whether the damage was caused by intent or gross negligence on the part of the shipowner or their representatives. Only in that case would there be no right to limitation of liability. The court concluded that this was not the case: there was no evidence that the allision was caused by consciously risky behaviour or intent. The court also ruled that the CLNI Convention contained sufficiently clear rules and that no additional Belgian or Dutch law was necessary for its interpretation. Consequently, the court also rejected the DVW's subsidiary request to adjourn the case until the Belgian expert investigation by the Nautical Commission has been fully completed. As a result, the Perficio Shipping and its insurer may settle the claim within the limits of the limitation fund they established. DVW has been ordered to pay over €2,000 in legal costs.

As of July 29, the 'Hein' in Brake still could not be salvaged and remained stuck in pos. 53° 21' N 008° 30' E. The dredger first broke through a jetty for reasons still unknown and then crashed into the edge of a quay. As a result, a loading crane on the quay collapsed and fell onto the ship. A specialist company must first detach the head of the crane that fell onto the deck of the vessel with the sheerleg 'BHV Athlet' (MMSI: 211523490), supported by shore based mobile cranes. The salvage of the ship will continue for the next few days. The conveyor system, the overturned crane, and the damaged dredger have beem wedged together as a result of the impact. To prevent further damage to the ship and port infrastructure, comprehensive securing of the respective structures was being undertaken. These preparatory measures were a prerequisite for a safe and coordinated salvage of the ship. They will continue over the next few days. The steel and wood structure of the jetty has also suffered significant damage. The crane runway beam was largely destroyed, and a loading crane located buckled under the force of the impact and collapsed completely onto the ship. In addition, a conveyor belt and housing on the quayside were severely damaged. A hydraulic line on the crane was ruptured, causing a small amount of hydraulic fluid to leak into the port basin. The fluid was contained and removed on July 25 by the Brake Volunteer Fire Department and the NLWKN (Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal Protection and Nature Conservation). Several cracks were discovered in the bow area of the 'Hein'. The Ship Safety Department of the Maritime Accident Insurance Association (SEE BG) therefore immediately issued a sailing ban. The affected area of the port has been closed to shipping. Operations in other port areas were continued. Report swith photos and video: https://www.nwzonline.de/wesermarsch/schiffsunfall-in-brake-bergungsarbeiten-nach-kollision-mit-kaianlage-starten_a_4,2,1470611428.html https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/nach-unfall-im-seehafen-brake-schiffsbergung-ist-noch-nicht-moeglich,brake-100.html

The 'Heilhorn', operating on the route Vennesund - Holm, had to cancel its sailings on the morning of July 29, 2025, due to technical issues, The scheduleddepartures from Holm at 06:40 a.m. and from Vennesund at 07:10 a.m. were thus called off. After troubleshooting at the quay in Holm, the ferry was expected back in service, departing from the ferry pier, at 07:40 a.m.

On July 28, the Houthi terrorists stated that they had rescued 10 seafarers from the 'Eternity C', releasing a six-minute, heavily scripted propaganda video, which was showing footage of the crew, with the Houthis claiming it as a proof that the sailors were alive and well. The video includes testimonies from the sailors stating that they were unaware of the maritime ban by the Houthis against sailing to Israeli ports. One crew member can be seen contacting home via a mobile phone, while others were depicted delivering statements. The sailors were seen thanking their captors for “treating them well” and apologizing to Palestine. Under clear duress, they stated they were supposedly en route to Eilat, a claim, which has been disputed by the ship owner. The Houthi terrorists also reiterated their threat to ships belonging to companies affiliated with Israeli ports, regardless of their destination or nationality. The 'Eternitiy C' had on board 22 crew members and three guards at the time of the attack. 10 crew members of the 'Eternity C' were rescued by a privately funded mission organised by the vessel's owner. Five crew members were assumed to be dead, and the remaining 10 were reported to have been taken by the Houthis. The United States and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have criticised the Houthis’ actions. HRW stated them to “unlawfully detaining civilians,” while US officials have accused the Houthis of “kidnapping” the missing seafarers in violation of international law. Report with photo and video: https://splash247.com/houthis-parade-captive-crew-from-sunken-greek-ship-in-propaganda-video/ https://x.com/i/status/1949911917285249526

The RFA 'Argus' is currently stuck at the Portsmouth naval base and was banned from sailing until a number of identified defects have been rectified. The 'Argus' arrived in the Navy’s port on JKune 8, 2025, and cannot sail to Falmouth in Cornwall for repairs because her safety certification has been withdrawn. The vessel failed to meet minimum safety standards following an inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard agency and Lloyd’s surveyors.

On July 28, 2025, the 'Virginie' got its propeller fouled by a part of its trawl while fishing about 26 nautical miles west of Pointe de la Hague in the English Channel near the Casquets TSS, and requested towing assistance at around 4:00 a.m. The CROSS Jobourg mobilized the lifeboat of the SNSM station Goury-La Hague, which took the trawler in tow and pulled it to the port of Cherbourg. Report with photo: https://www.ouest-france.fr/societe/faits-divers/au-large-de-la-pointe-de-la-hague-la-snsm-remorque-un-chalutier-en-action-de-peche-35238e4c-6bb5-11f0-bf3f-03e335cb8146

The emergency services responded on July 28, 2025, at 1:05 p.m. to a gas leak on the 'Reach Remote 1', one of the offshore service provider Massterly's two USV vessels, in Kristiansund. Hydrogen fluoride, probably from a battery cell that had leaked, while the vessel was docked, and work was carried out on board. One man who was working on board inhaled the gas, became nauseous and was taken to the emergency room. The rest of the crew has been evacuated. The fire department established a safety distance of 50 meters and quickly isolated the leak. The cause of the incident was likely a short circuit in a battery cell that has led to a leak. At 1:30 p.m., the fire department had controlled the temperature and isolated the gas. The temperature was unchanged, and there was no risk of an explosion. The room where the leak occurred has been sealed off, and there was no longer any ongoing gas leak from the room. At 2:30 p.m., the entire dhip, with the exception of the room that has been sealed off, has been ventilated. The ship builder was contacted to handle the case further. An investigation was launched.

The self propelled barge 'Colimetals' (MMSI: 205336190), en route from Antwerp to Ghent, allided with the 'Rijnvallei' on July 25, 2025, at around 10:40 p.m. at the waiting quay in Sas van Ghent. No injuries were reported, but the vessels were damaged. The 'Colimetals' suffered sigfnificant bow damage mainly at starboard side, when it struck the 'Rijnvallei' at the stern, which sustained damage to its rudder system and had to be taken to a shipyard for repairs. The ship left Ghent on July 28 and berthed in Hansweert on July 29. The 'Colimetals' remained stationary in Ghent as of July 29. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/07/28/belgisch-schip-raakt-achterkant-nederlandse-tanker-bij-sas-van-gent/

The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies in Cuxhaven has terminated its overall operational control of the oil spill following the collision of the 'Coastal Legend' and the 'Capella' in Cuxhaven's outer harbour and handed over the further proceedings to the City of Cuxhaven as the Lower Water Authority on July 25 at 9 a.m. Personnel from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief resumed operations on site on the morning. Small amounts of oil remained in the water. The oil booms initially remained in the port basin. Since the oil collection began, approximately 240 cubic metres of the oil-water mixture have been removed. Water samples were taken on July 28. The exact amount of marine diesel leaked from the offshore supply vessel remained unclear, but it was likely between six and 12 cubic metres. Regarding the cause of the allision, initial investigations indicated that the captain of the 'Capella' had misjudged the circumstances. According to police, there was initially no indication of a technical fault. The 'Coastal Legend' was berthed at Empting Drydock on July 27 and remained stationary as of July 29.

The 'Ali Cat', serving on the route Gourock-Dunoon, will have to be removed from service due to essential maintenance works on Aug 1. As a consequence, the following sailings will cancelled: Departure Gourock - 12:15 p.m.; Departure Dunoon - 12:45 p.m. A shuttle bus service will be operated for these sailings instead.