arrived Aliaga Anchorage towed by Tug Aras Salvor 31.10.26
News
KAPITAN SHCHERBAKOV
While anchoring off Starikov Island, Kamchatka, the 'Kapitan Shcherbakov', with 24 people on board, suffered a strong water ingress in the engine room on the evening of Oct 29, 2026. The pumps couldn't cope with the flooding, and the ship experienced a blackout. The rescue ship 'Suvorovets' was deployed to assist by the MRCC in Kamchstka. It took the ship in tow to Petropavlovsk- Kamchatsky, where it was anchored in pos. 53° 13' N 159° 30' E. An emergency generator supplied the vessel, which was carrying 3000 tons frozen onions. The authorities in Kamchatka launched an investigation into the incident.
MILITSA
Ten Syrian sailors have been stranded for more than three months aboard the 'Militsa', which was abandoned by its owner in the Port of Constanța after arriving at the Port of Agigea to load a cargo of corn. The seafarers have not received their salaries since April and could not return home, because the ship had to be kept with a minimum safety crew. The ten sailors left Syria approximately one year ago and arrived in Constanța in July. In the meantime, the ship was left without a flag and was placed under seizure because of the owner’s debts. Their families in Syria were no longer receiving financial support, and living conditions on board have deteriorated. Two crew members have serious medical problems. One of them was suffering from kidney failure and needed an operation. The ship has also run out of fuel for its generators, while the crew was facing power outages and the approach of the cold season. The authorities, the ship’s agent and representatives of ITF Romania were trying to find a solution for a repatriation of the seafarers. Reducing the crew required the approval of the Romanian Naval Authority, while placing the ship in lay-up would have to be approved by the port administration. Until the permits have been obtained, the sailors were obliged to remain on board.
ODYSSEY
After the premature end of the never ending cruise of the 'Odyssey', the company Villa Vie Residences was working with residents to coordinate disembarkation and identify temporary living arrangements. Passengers, however, complained that they received no support and had to make their own arrangements after being given seven hours notice to disembark from the ship. Some were devastated and expressed hope a new company could rescue the venture so life at sea could be continued, having expected to sail for years. The shipowner allegedly lacked the expertise to make the business financially sustainable. Changes to the itinerary, unreliable internet access and declining food quality had pushed many residents to leave the ship in recent months. Residents were repeatedly asked to contribute additional money for fuel and other expenses, including a fresh call to raise funds for fuel to get out of Cambodia. The bulk of passengers onboard the Florida-based ship were from the US and Canada. Some had sold their homes to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for the years-long cruise, marketed as an alternative to retirement options. Passengers were asked for funds to help pay for fuel in February. Passengers attended a meeting in September led by a company official who asked cabin owners to help them raise $1 million so they could leave Ha Long Bay. The last call came just before docking in Cambodia. Villa Vie Residences said that the monthly fuel costs per cabin had averaged about US$1800 ($3200) but were now US$6000 to US$8000 in parts of Asia, due to the ongoing war in Iran. The company had initially promised it would bring passengers to 147 countries in three years.
STANGVIKFJORD
On Oct 23, 2026, the 'Stangvikfjord', serving between Kvanne and Rykkjem across the Stangvikfjord in Nordmøre, ran aground while heading from Kvanne towards Rykkjem, a few minutes after its departure. The ferry then slowly headed back towards Kvanne to let people and cars off. Three attempts were made to dock at Kvanne, without success. All passengers on board were told to leave the car deck. The police arrived at the scene, and the ferry finally made it to the dock. The passengers were then told that they could drive off the ferry at 2:45 p.m. The 'Stangvikfjord' was breached in the grounding and started spilling oil. The connection was suspended until further notice. The ferry 'Edøyfjord' (IMO: 9612743) was called to replace the 'Stangvikfjord'. After lying at Halsa for a few days, the 'Stangvikfjord' has been towed to Tomrefjord by a tug for repairs on Oct 27. The total costs of the grounding could amount to 10 million NOK. The 'Edøyfjord' was expected to be operating on the Kvanne-Rykkjem route for quite some time. Report with photos: https://www.smp.no/nyheter/n/PgJ7G0/ferje-har-gaatt-paa-grunn https://www.driva.no/nyheter/n/77aEz9/del-av-ferja-ligger-paa-bunnen-av-fjorden
GEM NO.2
The oil spill from the 'Gem No. 2' off the coast of the United Arab Emirates has widened, satellite images showed, triggering more beach closures and raising environmental concerns.Images from the European Union's Copernicus satellite observation network dated Oct 24 showed the oil spill was reaching close to the shores of the northern Umm Al Quwain emirate, with dark layers of oil spreading at sea and along its coastline. Efforts were underway to contain the oil leaking from the tanker offshore. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment was conducting an environmental assessment. Authorities across various northern emirates responded to the spill by restricting access to coastal areas. All beaches and coastal areas around the city of Umm Al Quwain were temporarily closed, while authorities in neighbouring Sharjah shut access to Al Hamriyah Beach as a precaution. In Ras Al Khaimah all beaches in the emirate were closed until further notice on Oct 24. On Oct 30 thd authorities reported that the oil leakage could be stopped. Report with photos: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/oil-spill-off-uae-widens-satellite-images-show-prompting-more-beach-closures-2026-10-26/
GNV AZZURRA
arrived Aliaga Anchorage 26.10.26 towed by MSC Dragon https://www.facebook.com/reel/1472178458108610
RITI
On Oct 30, 2026, Oman has evacuated 25 crew members from the 'Riti', after it was targeted and caught fire 1.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam. The navy, in coordination with the Maritime Security Centre, carried out the evacuation and provided the crew with the necessary medical careThe incident remained under investigation, and no group has been officially attributed responsibility.
KEVER
Six Indian sailors, who have been stranded aboard the 'Kever' in the port of Karachi port for nearly seven months, with their families alleging that the vessel's electricity supply has been cut off and the crew's passports seized following a dispute between an Iranian shipping company and port authorities, were were safe, and formalities under way to allow six relief crew members to board the vessel, a senior government official said on Oct 29. The families claimed that the ship was detained following a dispute between Iran-based KEVER Shipping Company and the Karachi port authorities. They have questioned why Indian crew members were being made to bear the consequences of a dispute between the company and port officials. The ship had berthed in the port on April 21, 2026, enroute from Muscat, and remained there ever since. Report with photos: https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/six-indians-stranded-karachi-port-seven-months-kever-shipping-company-prayagraj-officer-family-seeks-govt-help-mea-intervention-3027737-2026-10-29
BAO SHINE
Fatigue, poor communication and a failure to follow safety procedures contributed to a boiler explosion aboard the 'Olivia', sailing as 'Bao Shine' since Aug 2025, on May 24 that year in Bluff, which seriously injured two crew members and hurt a third, investigators of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission have found out in their final report. The crew cleaned the boiler while it was still hot and after repeated failed attempts to restart it. The blast threw all three members of the night shift backwards. A third engineer and motorman suffered serious burns to their faces and arms, while a fitter suffered bruising to a shoulder. The 'Olivia' had been berthed at South Port in Bluff for 32 days while undergoing extensive repairs to its main engine and generators. Maritime New Zealand had prevented the vessel leaving port until repairs were completed and the cause of the machinery damage identified. The ship’s boiler flamed out late on May 23, and engineers made several unsuccessful attempts to restart it. One restart attempt caused an earlier blowback, sending soot and hot air through the burner intake and triggering a fire alarm. Nobody was injured. Hours later, the night shift began cleaning soot from inside the boiler. The crew proceeded without a documented assessment of the risks posed by residual fuel, heat and the introduction of compressed air. The motorman used an air lance to blast soot from the boiler tubes before directing compressed air into the furnace, where white smoke and glowing material had been visible. As the lance was withdrawn, an explosion occurred at 2.55 a.m. It was likely the motorman disturbed heated soot, igniting residual fuel in the boiler and causing the blowback. Zthe boiler had not been allowed to cool to an objectively verified safe temperature before compressed air was introduced. The senior engineers were very likely fatigued after sustained work on the vessel’s generator repairs. The engineering team had been operating 12-hour shifts, but some senior crew were also working outside those hours. The 2nd engineer was still helping troubleshoot the boiler about five hours after his day shift had ended. The vessel’s superintendent had also worked 21 hours during one period before resting for four hours and returning to work. The timing and circumstances of the call between the night shift 3rd engineer and the chief engineer very likely hindered clear communication and shared understanding of the proposed work and required controls. The chief engineer, who had been asleep when called, believed they had approved cleaning of the burner nozzle, while the night shift engineer understood that the permission had been given to clean soot from inside the boiler. The operator’s safety management system contained controls for unplanned work and boiler maintenance, but they were not consistently followed. The crew treated boiler cleaning as a familiar task, despite the conditions being significantly different from normal cleaning carried out after a boiler had cooled for several days at sea. No formal toolbox meeting, task-specific risk assessment or job hazard analysis was carried out before the work. The three crew members were wearing coveralls, safety shoes and gloves, but no face or eye protection. It was very likely the severity of the injuries would have been reduced if appropriate face protection had been worn. The commission also found the operator’s safety management system did not provide sufficient guidance for managing crews during sustained periods of intensive work, leaving the night shift without a senior engineer able to supervise higher-risk tasks. Fleet Management Limited has since reviewed its safety system, fatigue and risk assessment procedures, PPE requirements and management of prolonged maintenance periods. It has also issued a fleet-wide safety memorandum and developed a boiler safety warning for display aboard its vessels. The TAIC made no new recommendations, saying the action already taken by the operator had addressed the safety issues identified.
PRINSESSE ISABELLA
The 'Prinsesse Isabella', enroute from Hou, allided with the ramp facility in the port of Sælvig upon Samsø on the evening of Oct 29, 2026. The ferry had entered the harbour at too steep an angle and hit the land ramp. The allision pushed the ramp out of position and damaged the mechanisms that make it move. Shortly afterwards, the ferry also hit a rubber barrier on the opposite side of the harbour, where another part of the ferry's equipment was damaged. However, the crew managed to get the ramp back in place so that passengers could drive their cars from the ferry. The scheduled departures from Sælvig for the rest of the evening were cancelled. Instead, the fast ferry 'Lilleøre' offered departures from Sælvig at 7:30 p.m. and Aarhus at 8:35 p.m. Departures on Oct 30 were also cancelled up to and including 9:30 a.m. Technicians worked most of the night to repair the damage to the hydraulic pistons. The classification society has examined the vessel and reported it to the Danish Maritime Authority, which has given the Samsø Rederi the green light for the ferry to be put back into service on Oct 30. The crew has been taken care of in terms of debriefing, offers of crisis assistance and free shifts. A new crew was sent to Samsø on the morning of Oct 30, so that it could take over the work on the 'Prinsesse Isabella'. Report with photos: https://www.tv2ostjylland.dk/samsoe/ansatte-tilbudt-krisehjaelp-efter-uheld-med-faerge-ace0c
PROSPECTOR 5
Three bodies have been found in the wreckage of the 'Prospector 5' on Oct 28. Two crew members were still missing. The Gabonese navy had located the bodies using an underwater robot, but has not yet been able to identify them. The images collected did not allow for the identification of the victims. Rescue teams were preparing to recover the bodies now. The Gabonese authorities confirmed the death of one Indian national on Oct 27. His body had not yet been recovered. The other victims were three Gabonese citizens and a Croatian national. The Gabonese authorities were in the process of recovering the bodies. A judicial inquiry was opened on Oct 25 in Tchibanga, alongside the technical investigations aimed at clarifying the circumstances of the sinking of the rig.
LONO
Beached at Chittagong 28.10.26 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1135427515660407&set=gm.10167708070763943&idorvanity=6884293942
KM LAWIT
The KM 'Lawit' allided with the pier at Ippi Port, Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on the morning of Oct 29, 2026, while attempting to dock. The ferry suffered damage at the portside foreship, and also the pier was damaged. The 'Lawit' had previously sailed from Waingapu Port to Lewoleba Port and called at Ippi Port. The Pelni Ende Branch along with the Ende Class IV Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), were investigating the incident. A thorough inspection was conducted, both of the ship and the dock facilities at Ippi Port. Report with photo and video: https://flores.tribunnews.com/ende/66972/breaking-news-km-lawit-tabrak-dermaga-pelabuhan-ippi-ende#goog_rewarded https://x.com/Metro_TV/status/2116066166032744894/video/1
GLEN ROSA
The expected handover date of the long-delayed 'Glen Rosa' to CalMac has been put back by another two months until February 2027. The dual-fuel ship being built by the state-owned Ferguson shipyard was expected to be ready by the end of 2026, and had originally been due for delivery in 2018. While the yard could deliver the ship by the end of the year, officials had recommended a short delay to allow for the fitting of redesigned propellers. The Ferguson Marine was still assessing the impact on overall cost for the ship, already well over £200m, which was more than four times the original contract price. The delivery in February enables new propellers to be fitted and the ship's liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel systems to be filled and commissioned only once.
DANSTAR
The plan to use the 'Danstar' to transport food and supplies from Punta Arenas to Port Stanley continued to fuel tensions between Chile and Argentina. The Argentine authorities were considering detaining, escorting, and fining the ship, operated by Naviera Easter Island. The voyage through the Strait of Magellan covers approximately 900 kilometers and was estimated to take two and a half days. The cargo planned for the route included fruit, dairy products, timber, cement, liquefied gas, and heavy machinery. The ship was scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2026. On Oct 29 it departed from Valparaíso to Magallanes for a refurbishment at the ASMAR yard. The controversy was also linked to the Sea Lion hydrocarbon exploration project, located in the northern basin of the islands, whose sovereignty was disputed by Argentina and the United Kingdom. In Buenos Aires, there was concern that this route could contribute to supplying the energy project. A potential interception of the Danstar has become a priority for Argentine authorities. However, Buenos Aires has not yet defined the legal strategy or tactics that would justify such an operation. A joint declaration signed by Presidents Javier Milei and José Antonio Kast in Santiago, Chile, in September would not constitute a formal legal basis for preventing the Chilean vessel's commercial navigation. The possibility of intervention by the Argentine Naval Prefecture also raised questions about a potential Chilean response. The possibility of the Chilean Navy escorting the 'Danstar' with a military unit to safeguard commercial navigation has not been ruled out, although no operational decision in this regard has been confirmed. The most recent precedent was the interception of the tug 'Beagle', owned by the Chilean company Ultramar, by the Coast Guard vessel GC-28 Prefecto Derbes in April 2024. The vessel was towing the Taiwanese fishing vessel 'An Fong No. 136' from the Falkland Islands to Montevideo. The action took place 245 nautical miles from Comodoro Rivadavia, in international waters, and prompted a complaint from Chile. Other precedents include the $690,000 fine imposed in 2016 on the f/v 'Unión Sur', owned by the company Emdepes, for operating in disputed waters, and the 2006 detention of the British-flagged vessel 'John Cheek', with a Chilean crew, which was escorted to Comodoro Rivadavia. While Argentina allowed regular trade between the Falkland Islands and Uruguay, despite this being twice the distance from Punta Arenas, it focused its pressure tactics on Chilean vessels.

