Sold to Alang Breakers
News
MAYMEI
Sold/Decommissioned
The 'Maymei', which was imported for recycling in Bangladesh, has become stranded at Chattogram Port's outer anchorage, after sanctions were imposed on the vessel by the US Department of State and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as part of Washington's broader efforts to target Iran's petrochemical trade. The chemical tanker had arrived at Chattogram on May 22, 2026, after being sold for demolition. However, on May 28, the US administration placed the vessel on its sanctions list, preventing it from being beached at a ship recycling yard. The unexpected development prompted the importer SN Corporation to initiate steps to return the ship to its owner. The vessel's estimated scrap value was around $4.96 million. US authorities alleged that the tanker was involved in transporting Iranian petrochemical products in July 2024. Alongside the vessel, the US also sanctioned its Hong Kong-based owner and commercial manager, the Ever Shining Ltd., as well as another vessel under the company's control, Flora. The SN Corporation has not yet released the funds. As the principal owner has agreed to take back the vessel, the return process was to begin shortly. The importer would still incur financial losses despite not having released payment for the vessel. The case underscored the increasing challenges facing ship recyclers as sanctions enforcement intensified globally and scrutiny grows over vessels with links to sanctioned cargoes, entities or jurisdictions. If the vessel is ultimately returned, it would be one of the rare instances in Bangladesh's ship recycling history in which an imported scrap vessel failed to reach a recycling yard because international sanctions were imposed after its arrival in the country.
MARY
Sold/Decommissioned
The former 'Nippon Maru', now renamed 'Mary' was heading to the Alang shipbreaking yard after being retired by Mitsui Ocean Cruises earlier in 2026. The ship left Yura (Wakayama) on May 23 and has an ETA at Bhavnagar as of June 17. Before leaving the Far East, the ship ditched its Japanese flag and was sailing under the Comoros flag. If the operation is confirmed, the vessel will become the first cruise ship to be sold for scrap in 2026.
