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On Oct 15, 2026, four LNG carriers sailed through the Bering Strait and into the Sea of Okhotsk, all with freshly painted letters on their hulls, the 'Oneiroi' (IMO: 9958327), 'Melicertes' (IMO: 9958303), 'Neleus' (IMO: 9958315), and 'Aeolus' (IMO: 9958298). All ships had been renamed shortly before their Arctic voyage. Their previous names were 'North Valley', 'North Moon', 'North Ocean' and 'North Light'. The ships were all built at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Okpo, South Korea, in 2024 and 2025, and were until recently owned and operated by the Korean shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines. Along with the name change came a change of flag state and ownership. On Sep 1, the ships changed flag states from Singapore to Panama. Similarly, they all shared the same ISM manager. Most likely, all four tankers were connected with Novatek, the Russian natural gas company that owns and operates Russia’s two biggest LNG plants, Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2. Three of the ships, the 'North Moon', 'North Ocean' and 'North Light', were added to the EU sanctions list in May 2025, but were excluded from the list in September again, following a guarantee from the company not to participate in the transportation of LNG from Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2. Now the four ships might once again be liable for sanctions. On Oct 19, the tankers sailed into the Kara Sea, likely to proceed to the Gulf of Ob to load LNG at either Yamal LNG or Arctic LNG 2. The four tankers were probably part of the growing fleet of LNG tankers serving Novatek and its Arctic operations. Novatek now has a fleet of more than 18 tankers serving the Arctic LNG 2 project alone.

The Australia Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has investigated an accident on the 'RTM Weipa' on June 23, 2025. Two crew members were conducting planned engine maintenance, while the ship was anchored off the Port of Gove. They were using the engine room’s overhead gantry crane to handle various components. After a lifting task had been completed and the crane was stationary, its traversing motor, weighing about 25 kilograms, detached from its overhead mounting and fell about six metres into the engine room work site. One of the crew members received a glancing blow and suffered minor injuries. The ATSB investigation determined the motor had detached due to the loosening over time of internal bolts. The bolts attaching the motor to the gearbox were not externally visible, and were only accessible by taking the assembly apart. The manufacturer’s maintenance procedure did not identify the internal bolts, nor did it provide instructions on checking their integrity during routine preventive maintenance. The crane’s manufacturer, Sekigahara Seisakusho, has subsequently revised its maintenance procedures to ensure the internal bolts can be adequately checked during routine inspections. It has also recommended a five-yearly inspection by a manufacturer-certified technician. Separately, the probe found none of ASP Ship Management’s four ships was fitted with a suitable access platform for crews to safely undertake preventive maintenance on the engine room gantry cranes. Crews reported using improvised and unsafe work platforms as a result. The ATSB also found that the ship’s crew had identified the motor to be wobbling about four months prior to the incident, but this was not properly investigated or reported. Corrective action had not been taken to address the defect and personnel responsible for technical oversight of the crane were not aware of this anomaly. The ASP has subsequently reinforced its reporting procedures, and has also installed fixed platforms, fitted with safety chains, to enable close-up inspection of the cranes’ overhead components across its fleet. Formal working at height controls, including permits, risk assessments, safety checks and fall protection measures, have been incorporated into maintenance procedures and reinforced through crew training. The ASP has also implemented fleet-wide training and procedures to ensure defects are correctly recorded.

While Ukrainian forces launched a major attack on St. Petersburg over the weekend of Oct 17/18, 2026, using hundreds of drones, the 'Vellamo' escaped en route from Ust-Luga near St. Petersburg to Singapore with approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil and an ETA as of Nov 12, and was spotted in the Great Belt off Fehmarn on Oct 17, with nets were stretched over the monkey island with the radio antennas, the funnel, and along the sides of the bridge, being on the top of the Ukrainians' list of potential targets. The tanker, part of the Russian shadow fleet, is on the sanctions lists of the EU, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The vessel was involved in the transport of oil from Russia and Iran and has already circumvented numerous sanctions. To get the cargo delivered, the vessel was also making a wide detour around EU member states. After leaving the Skagerrak, the captain therefore chose a route through the North Atlantic and set course for Greenland, instead of the English Channel in order to avoid the risk of intervention by the authorities of EU member states in the English Channel. Report with photos: https://www.kn-online.de/schleswig-holstein/russland-tanker-der-schattenflotte-mit-drohnen-schutz-auf-der-ostsee-YKEHNS2LYVHX7MYUAHYOT5RN4U.html

Ukraine’s Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office were proceeding with the case against the Russian captain of the cargo m/v 'Matros Pozynich' (IMO: 9573816), Mykola Telagin, 54, who has been accused of controlling the ship transporting stolen grain from Crimea. According to the investigation, the grain export was carried out by the decision of the top political leadership of the aggressor country. Such actions violate the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the theft of property in occupied territories,” said the SBU. The investigation confirmed that the vessel, which was sold in 2022 to Russian interests, with its flag moved from the Marshall Islands to Russia, had transported more than 54,000 tons of grain that they assert was taken from Ukrainian farmers. One shipment of over 27,000 tons was transported in November 2022, and the second load consisting of 27,300 tons was transported in January 2023. Both shipments were taken out of Crimea and delivered to Latakia. The investigation indicated that the captain periodically turned off the AIS and transmitted inaccurate information about the vessel’s location. They asserted the wheat was presented as if it had come from Russia. Investigators of the Security Service informed the captain in absentia of the charges on suspicion of a violation of the laws and customs of war and violation of the procedure for entering and leaving the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine with the aim of causing harm to the interests of the state, committed by an organised group. It was the first time Ukraine has charged a captain with a war crime for his role in the export of grain. Investigators continued to dig into the case were are looking for further accomplices. In a separate development, they also reported on Oct 19 that two pesons were arrested in Odesa on charges of aiding Russia to transport stolen grain through the Port of Mariupol for sale to third countries. They had helped Russia hide the origin of stolen agricultural products worth over $1.3 million. The report alleged that in 2024, the smugglers loaded 7,857 tons of Ukrainian wheat onto the sanctioned 'Alpha M', now sailing as 'Irkutsk', in the port of Mariupol. From there, the stolen cargo was transported to Temryuk, Krasnodar Territory, where fictitious documents were issued stating that the grain was of Russian origin. After that, the agricultural products were delivered to the Middle East for further sale through a local exporting company. During searches of their homes and the company's office, computer equipment, mobile phones, documentation, and forged laboratory reports containing evidence of crimes were reportedly discovered. The two men were placed in detention and faced up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. Several similar cases have been filed, and Ukraine has seized a few smaller cargo ships on charges of entering the closed ports of occupied Crimea or transporting grain and other materials out of the region.

The 'Youshun 9' was detained in Tianjin on Oct 19, 2026, with five detainable defiencies: 11110 - LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES - Stowage and provision of liferafts (no responsibility of RO) 07114 - FIRE SAFETY - Remote Means of control (opening,pumps,ventilation,etc.) Machinery spaces (no responsibility of RO) 07103 - FIRE SAFETY - Division - decks,bulkheads and penetrations (no responsibility of RO) 02107 - STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS - Ballast, fuel and other tanks (no responsibility of RO) 10109 - SAFETY OF NAVIGATION - Lights, shapes, sound-signals (no responsibility of RO).

The 'Nelsa', which had been damaged in a drone attack at the CPC Terminal near Novorossyisk on July 20, after drone attacks had targeted the tankers 'Nordic Zenith', 'Asia' and 'Nissos Ios' at the same terminal on July 18-19, has departed the Black Sea enroute to a shipyard for permanent repairs. The ship had been hit at the starboard aft section while loading crude oil, causing a fire on the deck and in the compartments between the accommodation superstructure and machinery spaces. Emergency teams extinguished the fire within hours. 22 crew members had been safely evacuated by CPC tugs, while the Captain and the Chief had remained aboard to support the extinguishing works. It could be prevented that the fire spread to the tanks, and no pollution occurred. On Oct 19, the tanker passed through the Bosphorus in Istanbul, being towed by the six tugs 'Kurtarma 3' (IMO: 9335939), 'Kurtarma 5' (IMO: 9463164), 'Kurtarma 6' (IMO: 9463176), 'Kurtarma 8' (IMO: 9598610), 'Kurtarma 9' (IMO: 9598581) and 'Kurtarma 12' (IMO: 9854404) , escorted by the SAR-boat ' Kiyem 5' (MMSI: 271044343) of the General Directorate of Coastal Safety. The transit through the waterway necessitated a complete, temporary closure of the strait to maritime traffic for safety reasons. The 'Nelsa' was a vessel placed on the UK's sanctions list in 2024 and the European Union's sanctions list in 2025 due to its role in the Russian oil trade. Reports with photos and video: https://www.turkiyetimes.net/istanbul-bogazinda-kritik-gecis-nelsa-tankeri-nedeniyle-gemi-trafigi-kapatildi/153896#google_vignette https://www.sondakika.com/guncel/haber-nelsa-tankerinin-istanbul-bogazi-ndan-gecisi-neden-20345067/#goog_rewarded https://www.sakaryayenihaber.com/haber/29012958/istanbul-bogazinda-kritik-gecis-nelsa-tankeri-nedeniyle-gemi-trafigi-kapatildi https://www.haberturk.com/gundem/son-dakika-haberler-iha-saldirisina-ugrayan-nelsa-tankeri-istanbul-bogazinda-3920841 https://www.sondakika.com/amp/haber-nelsa-tankerinin-istanbul-bogazi-ndan-gecisi-neden-20345067/

The 'Barla' was detained in Bartin on Oct 12, 2026, with eight detainable defiencies: 14801 - Pollution prevention - Ballast Water - Ballast Water Management Plan - no responsibility of RO; 15150 - ISM - ISM - no responsibility of RO; 2115 - Structural Conditions - Bulkheads - operational damage - no responsibility of RO; 3104 - Water/Weathertight conditions - Cargo & other hatchways - no responsibility of RO; 3105(2) - Water/Weathertight conditions - Covers (hatchway-, portable-, tarpaulins, etc.) - no responsibility of RO; 6104 - Cargo operations including equipment - Lashing material - no responsibility of RO; 7117 - Fire safety - Jacketed high pressure lines and oil leakage alarm - no responsibility of RO; 7199 - Fire safety - Other (fire safety) - no responsibility of RO.

On Oct 15, 2026, four LNG carriers sailed through the Bering Strait and into the Sea of Okhotsk, all with freshly painted letters on their hulls, the 'Oneiroi' (IMO: 9958327), 'Melicertes' (IMO: 9958303), 'Neleus' (IMO: 9958315), and 'Aeolus' (IMO: 9958298). All ships had been renamed shortly before their Arctic voyage. Their previous names were 'North Valley', 'North Moon', 'North Ocean' and 'North Light'. The ships were all built at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Okpo, South Korea, in 2024 and 2025, and were until recently owned and operated by the Korean shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines. Along with the name change came a change of flag state and ownership. On Sep 1, the ships changed flag states from Singapore to Panama. Similarly, they all shared the same ISM manager. Most likely, all four tankers were connected with Novatek, the Russian natural gas company that owns and operates Russia’s two biggest LNG plants, Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2. Three of the ships, the 'North Moon', 'North Ocean' and 'North Light', were added to the EU sanctions list in May 2025, but were excluded from the list in September again, following a guarantee from the company not to participate in the transportation of LNG from Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 2. Now the four ships might once again be liable for sanctions. On Oct 19, the tankers sailed into the Kara Sea, likely to proceed to the Gulf of Ob to load LNG at either Yamal LNG or Arctic LNG 2. The four tankers were probably part of the growing fleet of LNG tankers serving Novatek and its Arctic operations. Novatek now has a fleet of more than 18 tankers serving the Arctic LNG 2 project alone. Once included in the fleet, the four carriers will rejoin their sister vessels—the Buran, Voskhod, Iris, and Zarya, which previously carried the names North Air, North Mountain, North Sky, and North Way. All of the latter are sanctioned by the EU, the USA, and many other countries.

Norway has detained the heavy lift carrier 'Ya Qing Hai Yang' (IMO: 1021570), which was linked to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, Novatek’s liquefied natural gas project on the Gydan Peninsula in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, on Oct 14. In Oct 2024, the vessel helped transport power-generation modules from China to Russia’s Utrenny port, which serves the project. The ship was later placed under sanctions over that activity. On Oct 8, the ship was spotted several kilometers away from the Norwegian border, after having departed from Hong Kong, making several stops in the Russian Far East before sailing along the Northern Sea Route — the shipping corridor connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via Russia’s Arctic coast. Because Guatemala does not maintain a public ship registry, the flag registration was regarded as potentially false. The 'Jian Yang Cheng He' was also stopped, though it was not under sanctions, and no connection to Russian projects was known. It had also left Hong Kong in mid-July and sailed along the Northern Sea Route. Both ships had sought shelter from a storm near Andøya island, where the Norwegian Coast Guard personnel inspected them.

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UKMTO) announced attacks on a tanker and a container ship on the evening of Oct 13, 2026. It has now reported two further attacks on that day. Two container ships were hit by projectiles of unknown origin and sustained minor damage. Both continued their voyages. No casualties have been reported in these two attacks. The security agency Vanguard reported a total of four ships attacked. The Singapore-flagged container ship 'GFS Pride' (IMO: 9349045) sank after being hit by a projectile. The whereabouts of the 'Alfonso' were unknown. The other two ships, the 'GFS Giselle' (IMO: 9704661) and 'Al Saadiyat' (IMO: 9760598), were able to continue their voyages.

Ukraine’s Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office were proceeding with the case against the Russian captain of the 'Matros Pozynich', Mykola Telagin, 54, who has been accused of controlling the ship transporting stolen grain from Crimea. According to the investigation, the grain export was carried out by the decision of the top political leadership of the aggressor country. Such actions violate the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the theft of property in occupied territories,” said the SBU. The investigation confirmed that the vessel, which was sold in 2022 to Russian interests, with its flag moved from the Marshall Islands to Russia, had transported more than 54,000 tons of grain that they assert was taken from Ukrainian farmers. One shipment of over 27,000 tons was transported in November 2022, and the second load consisting of 27,300 tons was transported in January 2023. Both shipments were taken out of Crimea and delivered to Latakia. The investigation indicated that the captain periodically turned off the AIS and transmitted inaccurate information about the vessel’s location. They asserted the wheat was presented as if it had come from Russia. Investigators of the Security Service informed the captain in absentia of the charges on suspicion of a violation of the laws and customs of war and violation of the procedure for entering and leaving the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine with the aim of causing harm to the interests of the state, committed by an organised group. It was the first time Ukraine has charged a captain with a war crime for his role in the export of grain. Investigators continued to dig into the case were are looking for further accomplices. In a separate development, they also reported on Oct 19 that two pesons were arrested in Odesa on charges of aiding Russia to transport stolen grain through the Port of Mariupol for sale to third countries. They had helped Russia hide the origin of stolen agricultural products worth over $1.3 million. The report alleged that in 2024, the smugglers loaded 7,857 tons of Ukrainian wheat onto the sanctioned m/v 'Alpha M' (IMO: 9419084 ), now sailing as 'Irkutsk', in the port of Mariupol. From there, the stolen cargo was transported to Temryuk, Krasnodar Territory, where fictitious documents were issued stating that the grain was of Russian origin. After that, the agricultural products were delivered to the Middle East for further sale through a local exporting company. During searches of their homes and the company's office, computer equipment, mobile phones, documentation, and forged laboratory reports containing evidence of crimes were reportedly discovered. The two men were placed in detention and faced up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. Several similar cases have been filed, and Ukraine has seized a few smaller cargo ships on charges of entering the closed ports of occupied Crimea or transporting grain and other materials out of the region.

The 'Hong Run 26' was detained in Tianjin on Oct 19, 2026, with three detainable defiencies: 07113 - FIRE SAFETY - Fire pumps and its pipes (no responsibility of RO) 07103 - FIRE SAFETY - Division - decks,bulkheads and penetrations (no responsibility of RO) 11101 - LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES - Lifeboats (no responsibility of RO).

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium timewise suspended its operations on July 20, 2026, after four tankers were struck by drones. The first attack came on July 17 as two tankers were loading at the offshore terminal moorings in the Black Sea. One of the vessels, the 'Asia' (IMO: 9905318), reported a fire onboard after the drone strike. The crew, working with emergency response forces from CPC, was able to extinguish the flames. The second tanker was the 'Nissos Ios' (IMO: 9886770), the third one the 'Nordic Zenith' (IMO: 9588469). Shortly after the operations at the terminal resumed, the 'Nelsa' was struck on July 20. The projectile hit the tanker between the superstructure and the engine room. A significant fire resulted, forcing the 22 crew members to be evacuated onto CPC tugs. It took several hours to bring the fire on the tanker under control. The 'Nelsa' was sanctioned by the UK in 2024 and the EU in 2025 for its role in the Russian oil trade.

The 'Hebrides', serving on the route Uig - Tarbert, suffered a technical issue with the port side main engine on the morning of Oct 15, which needed further investigations and caused delays. On the evening of Oct 19, repairs were completed, and the vessel started loading in Uig. After the return to service, the vessel was operating approximately 1,5 hours behind schedule.

A male passenger of the 'Britannia' suffered a medical emergency on the afternoon of Oct 19, while the ship was sailing north of Madeira. The Port Captain of Funchal confirmed that he may have suffered a stroke. The Portuguese Air Force’s EH-101 Merlin helicopter was mobilised for a medical evacuation. After the rescue, the aircraft landed at the Madeira International Airport, where the passenger was met by a fire brigade, which ensured the transport to a hospital.

Norway has detained the 'Ya Qing Hai Yang', which was linked to Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project, Novatek’s liquefied natural gas project on the Gydan Peninsula in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, on Oct 14. In Oct 2024, the vessel helped transport power-generation modules from China to Russia’s Utrenny port, which serves the project. The ship was later placed under sanctions over that activity. On Oct 8, the ship was spotted several kilometers away from the Norwegian border, after having departed from Hong Kong, making several stops in the Russian Far East before sailing along the Northern Sea Route — the shipping corridor connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via Russia’s Arctic coast. Because Guatemala does not maintain a public ship registry, the flag registration was regarded as potentially false. Another cargo vessel, the 'Jian Yang Cheng He' (IMO: 9813137) was also stopped, though it was not under sanctions, and no connection to Russian projects was known. It had also left Hong Kong in mid-July and sailed along the Northern Sea Route. Both ships had sought shelter from a storm near Andøya island, where the Norwegian Coast Guard personnel inspected them.

On Oct 18, 2026, the 'Jif Barracuda' was attacked and hit east of the Musandam Peninsula, about 20 nautical miles northeast of Khor Fakkan near the seaward entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The tug was moving southbound parallel to the peninsula when it was struck by two unknown projectiles. One crew member suffered minor injuries. The vessel was able to continue its voyage despite the damage suffered. The vessel's AIS signal was last transmitted on Oct 17, while underway off Ras Al-Khaiman and headed in the direction of the strait's western entrance.

The 'Hoang Trieu 99' was detained in Jiaxing on Oct 16, 2026, with six detainable defiencies: 03105 - WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS - Covers (hatchway-, portable-, tarpaulins, etc.) (no responsibility of RO) 07109 - FIRE SAFETY - Fixed fire extinguishing installation (no responsibility of RO) 14602 - POLLUTION PREVENTION - MARPOL ANNEX VI - Record book of engine parameters (no responsibility of RO) 14104 - POLLUTION PREVENTION - MARPOL ANNEX I - Oil filtering equipment (no responsibility of RO) 11112 - LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES - Launching arrangements for survival craft (no responsibility of RO) 07113 - FIRE SAFETY - Fire pumps and its pipes (no responsibility of RO). After its release, the ship arrived in Zhangjiagang on Oct 19.

The 'Haian Park' was detained in Lianyungang on Oct 19, 2026, with three detainable defiencies: 02101 - STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS - Closing devices/watertight doors (no responsibility of RO) 07114 - FIRE SAFETY - Remote Means of control (opening,pumps,ventilation,etc.) Machinery spaces (Vietnam Register (VR)) 10109 - SAFETY OF NAVIGATION - Lights, shapes, sound-signals (no responsibility of RO).

The 'Anemos' was detained in Constanta on Oct 12, 2026, with two detainable defiencies: 1113 - Certificate and Documentation - Ship Certificates - Minimum Safe Manning Document - no responsibility of RO; 4109 - Emergency Systems - Fire drills - no responsibility of RO. The tug was released again on Oct 15 and left the port on Oct 17 enroute to Sulina.