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The HMS 'Protector' has been towed from Teesside to Devonport by commercial tugs, with Serco Marine Services tugs taking over the tow near the port following a reported defect, while the government was working towards a replacement. The ship returned to its home port while investigations into a defect took place. The nature of the problem, the extent of damage and the prospects for repairs have not been publicly established. Former Royal Navy officers have raised concerns about the condition of the vessel’s main engines, while speculation has emerged over whether the problem could be related to recent maintenance. Neither the cause nor any potential maintenance error has been established officially. Britain purchased the vessel in 2013 for 51 million pounds. The 'Protector' underwent a major refit in 2019-2020 after suffering a propulsion defect in the Caribbean. Further maintenance work took place in 2025, followed by additional work at a shipyard on Teesside.

Beached at Chittagong 16.10.26

In Sep 2026, the 'AS Dream' was renamed 'Antepli' in Alexandria and detained on Oct 7 with 21 deficiencies, 12 of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Certificate & Doc - AIS Test Report Missing 2) Certificate & Doc - Other (Certificates) Other 3) Life saving appliances - Inflatable liferafts Expired 4) Life saving appliances - Rescue boats Not properly maintained 5) Life saving appliances - Rescue boats Inoperative 6) Life saving appliances - Other (Life saving) Other 7) Life saving appliances - Maintenance of Life saving appliances Not as required 8)) Radio communication - VHF Radio installation Not as required 9) Radio communication - SART/AIS-SART Not as required 10) Fire safety - Fire fighting equipment and appliances Expired 11) Fire safety - Other (Fire safety) Other 12) Safety of navigation - Radar Inoperative The vessel was released again on Oct 14 and anchored off Alexandria. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MyB6XEXCH/

On Sep 13, 2025, the 'Aurelia' was detained in Novorossiysk with 18 deficiencies: 1) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boats Not as required 2) Life saving Appliances - Rescue boat inventory Inoperative 3) Life saving Appliances - Stowage or rescue boats Not as required 4) Safety of navigation - Charts Not updated 5) Safety of navigation - Nautical publications Not updated 6) Safety of navigation - Compass correction log Not as required 7) Safety of navigation - Voyage data recorder Not as required 8)) Safety of navigation - Lights, shapes and sound-signals Not as required 9) Propulsion and auxiliary machinery - Propulsion main engine Not as required 10) Pollution Prevention - Oil and oily mixtures from machinery spaces Not as required 11) Labour conditions - Cleanliness of engine room Not as required 12) Labour conditions - Wages Not as required 13) Labour conditions - Mooring/ropes/Lines and wires Not as required 14) Radio communications - Facilities for reception of marine safety inform Not as required 15) Radio communications - Radio log (diary) Not as required 16) Emergency systems - Emergency steering position com / compass reading Not as required 17) Emergency systems - Emergency lighting, batteries and switches Not as required 18) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Sep 14 and headed towards the Bosphoprus on Sep 16. It dropped anchor off Kiisirkaya. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F5iWZKZox/

After rest of the crew if the ' Honour 25' was disembarked in Bosaso on Oct 4, international efforts to gather forensic evidence from the vessel have been undertaken. As reported in FTL Somalia’s coverage of INTERPOL’s support, the agency’s experts advised Somali authorities on the packaging and secure transport of crime scene evidence from the tanker for potential fingerprint extraction, following a dedicated action week in Bossaso.

The 'Emmakris III', which has been in Ukraine since the start of the Russian war is to be auctioned by Ukraine’s Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA). The vessel has been posted on ARMA’s website, as the vessel was being prepared for sale. It had tried to sell the ship earlier, but in 2024 decided to seek a manager to use the ship for grain storage while it continued to pursue the case through the courts. In 2025, reports said that the ARMA had been successful in the courts in stopping the removal of the bulker. Although the vessel’s registered owners were reported to be in the UAE, the beneficial owners are a Russian company, Linter, registered in the city of Rostov-on-Don. The vessel was managed from Turkey. At the start of the war, the 'Emmakris III' was in Chornomorsk to load approximately 60,000 tons of grain bought by the Egyptian government. When Ukraine took control of the ship in 2024, it had the vessel inspected and appraised. At the time, it was valued at $2.6 million, and ARMA said it ascertained that it was in a healthy state. The most recent listing stated that the vessel remained in satisfactory condition. The ARMA has not indicated when the sale would commence. Its mission is to raise funds from confiscated assets to compensate the state for its financial losses during the war. The assets were awarded by the courts.

The 'Gem No. 2', operating under charter to Trafigura, was initially struck by an unidentified projectile about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates on Oct 9, 2026, at 2.30 p.m. As a rssult, a massive fire broke out on the port side foreship, which could, however, be knocked down within 25 minutes by the ship'sown extinguishing systems. On Oct 10 at 10 a.m., after the superintendent arrived, and while the crew prepared to move the tanker to the inner anchorage, it was struck again by four drones within three minutes. The projectiles hit at the foreship, aft, starboard side and near a pump room. A large fire broke out and engulfed the superstructure. When the situation became critical, the captain ordered to abandon ship. The 22 Indian crew members went into the port side lifeboats and were rescued by a boat of the UAE Coastguard. Authorities were investigating the incident. No claim of responsibility has been reported, and the source of the projectiles has not been established.

The German Federal Police were also active during the night in connection with Russian naval units and the ' Myra'. The patrol vessel 'Bamberg' (IMO: 9830020) had tracked the shadow tanker, which had arrived from Russia. The 'Myra' had previously drawn attention in the Baltic Sea when it changed its registered flag—switching from Madagascar to Cameroon—while underway. The Federal Police therefore kept the tanker under surveillance. No inspection took place, as the vessel was outside German territorial waters. The 'Myra' passed through the Fehmarn Belt during the night leading. The 'Myra' appeared on the sanctions lists of the EU, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine and Canada..

Beached at Chittagong 16.10.26

The 'Aurelia' was detained again on Oct 8, 2026, this time in Ambarli with 25 deficiencies, seven of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Pollution Prevention - Oil filtering equipment Inoperative 2) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm system Not as required 3) Fire safety - Fire doors/openings in fire resisting division Not as required 4) Fire safety - Fixed fire exthinguishing installation Inoperative 5) Life saving appliances - Lifeboats Not properly maintained 6) Radio communications - Satellite, EPIRB Not as required 7) Living and working - Other (Accident prevention) Damaged The vessel was released again on Oct 14 and proceeded to the Istanbul Anchorage. The last detentions were on Dec 18, 2025, in Novorossiysk with one deficiency for six days and on Sep 13, 2025, also in Novorossiysk with 19 deficiencies for two days. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cjHJh6ZHW/

The ' Aegina Star' was detained on Oct 12, 2026 in Iskenderun with 19 deficiencies, six of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention: 1) Cargo operations - Cargo Securing manual Missing 2) Safety of navigation - Voyage or passage plan Missing 3) Life saving appliances - Inflatable liferafts Not properly stowed 4) Fire safety - Fire detection and alarm system Inoperative 5) Structural conditions - Hull - corrosion Not as required 6) ISM - Ism certificate Not as required The vessel was released again on Oct 15 and left the port enroute to Port Said. The last detention was sailing as 'Debbie' on Aug 15, 2025, in Iskenderun with 25 deficiencies for eight days. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Hm1a44Nk/

The salvage and recycling operation for the 'MSC Baltic III' continued to make strong progress. Resolve Marine has removed approximately 68 % of the tonnage of the vessel, with the remaining sections being pulled toward shore. The latest figures compare with just over 6,000 tons that had been recovered as of the beginning of October. At that point, they said approximately 55 % of the vessel’s tonnage had been recovered and sent for recycling. The latest calculation puts it at 7,445 tonnes recovered. After removing the accommodation block, most of the deck gear, and cargo hatches, the operation during the summer began cutting away the upper portion of the hull. By the end of July, the deconstruction of the upper portions of the hull was completed, and salvors began the pulling operation to move the remaining portion forward toward the shoreline for cutting and lifting. The forward and midship section of the hull have now been moved forward a total of 170 meters. Resolve Marine has also commenced pulling the stern section forward, having moved it a total of 78 meters. The operation were to be continued until winter conditions overtake the area. Operations could continue into 2027. The operation also called for a restoration of the cover where the ship grounded after the wreck is cleared. The Canadian Coast Guard reported a heavier level of oil release during this phase of the operation. The tanks were emptied, but they had warned that there was residual oil in the systems that would likely be released. The new report mentioned observed sheening in Cedar Cove, which has had shoreline impacts, including oiled vegetation and debris, as well as fresh tar stains, balls, and smears. There have also been three deceased birds recovered from the area, although the cause of death was not yet confirmed. Report with photos: https://maritime-executive.com/article/salvage-operation-has-cleared-more-than-two-thirds-of-msc-baltic-iii

The 'ST 3', carrying 15 Indian crew members, was struck by a projectile, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Oct 16, 2026. The attack occurred 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubayl at 09.00 a.m. UTC. The 15 Indian crew members werw safely evacuated; no pollution was reported. In the Nav Warning NAVAREA IX 382/26 a lifeboat was reported adrift in pos. 27°46.90’ N, 050°36.00’ E (re-broadcast via Inmarsat Burum LES). Mariners in the area were advised to exercise heightened caution, maintain sharp lookouts for drifting hazards, and report suspicious sightings to UKMTO. India's minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said the ministry was continuously monitoring the situation and remained in close contact with the ship management companies to ensure the ongoing security and wellbeing of the crew members. Reports with photo and video: https://en.irna.ir/news/86294247/Iranian-Navy-spots-oil-tanker-on-fire-in-Strait-of-Hormuz?fbclid=IwT01FWAVAF01leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHj0TDy7crloHULT_DB4Sbq839IsOJgcVq2Qk-N85HjcjpFv9aaNgDjJZeNts_aem_yDNwhsmgF7G5imUbgXwO8A https://it.euronews.com/2026/10/15/golfo-delloman-nuovo-incendio-su-una-petroliera-vicino-a-hormuz-dopo-laffondamento-di-due-?fbclid=IwT01FWAVAJh9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHmORVVOQyvT6qLpf_K3bNeYDQ-QUml7H4MpIxpvGYAv5vruDagLjy5Sb_ibF_aem_rPyuUpMnUKzS6vASSJodLA

Beached at Alang 03.02.26 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10163600896360036&set=pcb.10167612249688943

Beached as Dead Vesel at Aliaga 29.09.26 towed by Protug 87 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10163607129925036&set=gm.10167620649563943&idorvanity=6884293942

Beached at Alang 18.10.26

On Dec 18, the 'Aurelia' was detained again in Novorossiysk with one deficiency: 1) Labour conditions - Non payment of Wages The vessel was released again on Dec 23 and left the port enroute to the Bosphorus. The last detention was only on Sep 13 also in Novorossiysk with 19 deficiencies for two days. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DasPvh1J9/

The 'World Voyager' has had to enter the dry dock of the Lisnave shipyard in Setúbal on Oct 10, 2026, for unscheduled repairs due to a faulty stabilizer. Specialists from the German company SKF assistied with the repairs. The first Antarctic expedition for Quark Expeditions remained on the official itinerary, scheduled to begin on Nov 6. No cancellations have been confirmed at this time. The stabilizer had to be replaced following the discovery of technical irregularities in the component, as a precaution. The ship left the port again on Oct 16 enroute to Montevideo.

The 'El Gaia', despite operating in dark mode, was attacked by drones about 1,3 nautical miles northeast of the Governorate of Musandam on Sep 13, 2026, which caused a large fire in the engine room. There were 25 crew members on board. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that 13 Indian crew members have been rescued. An Omani naval vessel evacuated 23 of them, who were subsequently provided with medical care, while two crew members were missing. One Indian oiler and the Pakistani 3rd engineer Muhammad Hamad Obaida - and an SAR operation was launched to locate them. Oman's Maritime Security Center said on Sep 15 that the tanker was being towed to an Omani port, after the fire aboard the vessel was brought under control. Initially, Iran's IRGC had claimed the tanker had caught fire after colliding with mines in the Hormuz. CENTCOM denied the report, instead stating that the ship had actually been struck by an Iranian missile last month and had recently been struck again by an Iranian drone. The Indian government has strongly condemned the attack on the vessel. Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Oman was closely monitoring the situation and was in contact with the relevant authorities. The government has also expressed concern for the safety and well-being of the rescued crew members and those still involved in the ongoing rescue operation. Reports with photos and video: https://gcaptain.com/oman-says-el-gaia-being-towed-to-port-two-crew-missing/ https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1B7GK49rq5/ https://www.mundomaritimo.cl/noticias/incendio-en-tanquero-abanderado-en-panama-deja-dos-desaparecidos-tras-sufrir-ataque-en-ormuz

The 'Espirito Santo Express' suffered an explosion and fire in pos. 28°36'27" S, 025°52'06" W on Oct 16, 2026. The ship was abandoned and adrift. It was operating near maximum capacity prior to the fire, reporting 14.6m draught laden with containers en route from Singapore to Santos. Multiple commercial vessels converged on the scene in the South Atlantic to render assistance, with at least one ship making a sharp course alteration directly toward the target area. A Brasilian Air Force Embraer KC-390 (callsign SAR60) was also en route from Rio to coordinate air-maritime rescue operations. All vessels transiting the vicinity were urgently requested to keep a sharp lookout, maintain listening watch on VHF Ch 16 / MF 2182 kHz, and render assistance if safe to do so. The vessel was currently chartered by Hapag-Lloyd. The company said it had been informed by Seaspan, the vessel’s head owner, but did not disclose the exact location of the fire. Hapag-Lloyd said measures were being taken to bring the situation under control.