Stay updated with the latest global maritime news, including shipping industry trends, international port developments, crew updates, and key events affecting the world of shipping and seafaring. Your source for timely and reliable maritime industry information.
Bulgarian authorities have warned ships about containers and other objects drifting in the Black Sea after the Greek-owned containership Contship Jet sank. Some objects have reached the coast, but the origin of at least one container found near Tsarevo has not been confirmed. The Maritime Executive reports.
One Indian seafarer has died and 13 others have been rescued after an unidentified aerial object hit the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Al Jusufi off the coast of Oman on 2 November. The incident took place near Limah, close to the Strait of Hormuz. The ship was carrying 14 Indian crew members. The Maritime Telegraph reported.
A UAE-owned offshore tug was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The vessel, identified as Selat Storm, was reported to be partially sinking after the incident. The condition of its crew has not been reported. The Maritime Executive reports on the latest attack in the region.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has signed two contracts worth over $1bn with a long-term customer that makes industrial equipment. The three-year deals cover sea transport and logistics services. About $950m will come from shipping, with nearly $100m from logistics. Splash 247 reported.
Three Greek seafarers’ unions will hold a 24-hour strike on October 30, calling for higher wages and better protection for crews working in dangerous waters. The action is expected to stop ship movements at seven Greek ports and may affect ferry schedules. The Maritime Telegraph reported.
Seven seafarers jumped overboard from MV Seahorse after the cargo ship developed a dangerous list off Lebanon. The vessel was carrying timber from Turkey when water flooded one of its holds. Rescue teams pulled the men from the sea, while nine crew members, including the captain, stayed on board. One of the rescued seafarers reportedly suffered injuries. NextShip reports.
The heavy-lift ship UHL Freedom sent a Mayday call on October 25 during a storm in the North Sea. The vessel was about 18 miles off the Dutch coast, facing waves of around five metres. Maritime Executive reported that two crew members were evacuated.
A cruise ship collided with two MSC containerships while leaving Bremerhaven, Germany, on October 25. Strong winds linked to storm Manja affected the port at the time. NextShip reported that the incident caused damage to both cargo ships and the cruise vessel.
The 16,520-TEU MSC Victorine suffered a 10-metre tear in its hull after Mein Schiff 3 struck its stern. The impact also damaged containers and deck structures. The smaller MSC Anne F was also involved. No water entered the ships, and no injuries were reported.
A mass-casualty disaster in the English Channel could happen this winter as sea conditions worsen. Major General Duncan Capps, head of the UK’s Border Security Command, warned MPs on October 21 that new smuggling tactics are making crossings more dangerous. Reported by The Maritime Executive.
Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS), owned by Idan Ofer, has named its first ammonia dual-fuel very large ammonia carrier (VLAC), Terra Clove, at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea. The 93,000 cu m vessel is expected to be delivered in November after sea trials, Splash 247 reported.
Maersk has supplied around 5,000 tonnes of certified bioethanol to its dual-fuel containership Maersk Halifax in Singapore. The company says this is the largest single ethanol refuelling operation ever carried out on a ship. The test also showed how bunkering could take place while a vessel loads and unloads containers. Reported by The Maritime Telegraph.
The Ro-Ro ship Spirit of Toulouse has completed the installation of six Norsepower rotor sails at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group’s facility in Shanghai. It now has the highest number of rotor sails fitted to a single vessel, marking an important step for wind-assisted propulsion in the Ro-Ro sector. Reported by The Maritime Telegraph.
Ships aged 25 years or more must now pass a full inspection and sea trials before they can use the Suez Canal. Owners must pay the required fees in advance. The new rules aim to improve safety, but they may also raise costs and cause delays for shipping companies, Splash 247 reports.
HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship, was towed back to Devonport on October 13 after a technical problem at sea. According to Maritime Executive, the Navy has started an investigation, but it has not yet said what caused the problem. It reports that both engines had defects.
Malaysia’s Lianson Fleet Group has added another bulk carrier to its fleet as it expands beyond offshore support vessels. The 61,446 dwt ship was built in Japan in 2013 and is named LFG Cengal. The company acquired the vessel for $23m, using its own funds, Splash 247 reported.
Malaysia has introduced new rules for ships in a sensitive sea area near the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The rules ban bunkering, limit ship speeds to 12 knots and generally prohibit anchoring.
Cargo ships and oil tankers longer than 300 metres and wider than 40 metres cannot enter the zone. Cargo transfers also require written permission from the authorities. Reported by The Maritime Telegraph.
CMB.TECH, a Belgian shipping company, has launched MV Mineral Europa on its maiden voyage to Australia. The 210,000-ton dry bulk carrier is the first commercial bulk carrier to operate with an ammonia dual-fuel engine already on board, according to Splash 247. Built this year in China, it marks a turning point for the shipping industry's climate ambitions.
Tanker crews are being offered record pay to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. Some tanker masters can earn up to $100,000 a month, plus a $50,000 bonus for every transit. As NextShip claims, Other crew members can also receive several times their normal wages for work in the high-risk area.
Twelve seafarers were injured when the Panama-flagged tanker On Peace was hit by a projectile while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on 6 October. The ship had 19 crew members on board, including 17 Indian nationals. Eleven of the injured seafarers were Indian. Omani authorities helped evacuate them to Khasab for medical treatment, The Maritime Telegraph reported.
Seaspan Corporation, a company known for containerships, is entering the dry bulk market. It has ordered two 210,000 dwt Newcastlemax ore carriers from Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, The Maritime Telegraph reports, citing Lloyd's List.
Taiwanese shipowner U-Ming Marine Transport is ready to spend up to $312m on six new bulk carriers in China. The deal covers two 211,000 dwt Newcastlemaxes and four 64,000 dwt ultramaxes as the company works towards a fleet of more than 100 ships. Splash 247 reported the orders.
The Seafarers’ Charity has released the final three films about the risks of seafarer abandonment. The videos explain how to spot warning signs, protect yourself before taking a job and find help when an employer fails to provide support. Marine Insight reports.
Four commercial vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on September 28 and 29. The reports appeared only later, making it difficult to get a full picture of the incidents. No seafarers were reported injured, while the extent of damage to the vessels was not immediately clear. The Maritime Telegraph reports.
India’s Great Eastern Shipping is adding a new 157,000-dwt Suezmax tanker to its fleet. The vessel will be built by a major shipbuilder in the Far East and is expected to be delivered between October 2028 and March 2029. Splash 247 reports.
