News

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.

On Oct 16, the 'Oyvon' rescued 65 migrants from two boats. Nearly half of the survivors were unaccompanied minors—including two girls—with one of the minors traveling alone being only 8 years old. The people were exhausted and visibly traumatised. Some bore scars from repeated violence. The survivors come from Eritrea, Mali, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and South Sudan had departed from Libya. Both rescue operations—the first involving 37 people and the second 28—were conducted from unseaworthy rubber boats. The survivors disembarked in Augusta, the place of safety designated by the Italian authorities.

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.

On Oct 18, 2026, at around 2.45 p.m. the 'Nordlys - RI 317' (MMSI: 219001518), with four people on board, caught fire in the middle of the Skagerrak, between Hanstholm and Kristiansand, and issued a distress call. As the flames spread, the fishermen were forced to abandon the blazing ship, which was shrouded in thick, black smoke, with open flames visible, in a liferaft. Rescue helicopters were sent out from both Sula in Norway - which arrived at 3.23 p.m. - and Denmark. The JRCC for Southern Norway coordinated the response. Both the ferry 'Superspeed 1' (IMO: 9374519), enroute from Kristiansand to Hirtshals, and the cruise ship 'AIDANova' (IMO: 9781865), enroute from Kiel to Bergen, responded to the burning fishing vessel. The fishermen were taken on board a light boat, which was deployed from the cruise ship, at around 3.30 p.m. None of them were injured. They stayed aboard the 'Aidanova', which resumed its course at 4 p.m., on its way to Bergen, where it arrived on Oct 19 short past 8 a.m., as scheduled. The 'Superspeed 1' was released after the intervention of the 'AIDANova' and reached the port of destination with a delay of 1,5 hours. Although the incident took place in Norwegian waters—with the Norwegian coastal rescue service leading the operation—the Danish Defence also contributed to the rescue mission and deployed one of the helicopters involved. The empty liferaft was recovered and taken ashore. The largely gutted wreck of the 'Nordlys' was left adrift in the Skagerrak in consultation with the MRCC. A Danish tugt began searching for the ship, and on Oct 19, a Swedish Coastguard aircraft joined the search. If the trawler was still afloat, it was to be towed back to its home port of Hanstholm, from where it had set off on Oct 17. The Danish and Norwegian authorities were warning shipping about the drifting cutter. Reports with photos and video: https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/nodsignal-fra-fiskebatlitt-dramatisk/85303338 https://www.gat.no/nyheter/n/Ab5vxj/superspeed-snur-for-bistaa-baat-i-brann https://crew-center.com/aidanova-crew-rescue-four-fishermen-after-vessel-catches-fire https://fiskerforum.dk/dansk-fiskekutter-skagerrak-brand/?fbclid=Iwb21leAVB0nZjbGNrBUHSZ2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe53Tt3KVcentSH1t4mCmRo-ZNCtYoJKXT-t7RjVTHds9UoMTW86D0EziZTTY_aem_262hoqFpr5u10f554o2Npg https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/nodsignal-fra-fiskebatlitt-dramatisk/85303338

Enroute from El Arish to Tobruk, the 'Karam K' has carried out a rescue operation for 45 irregular migrants of Sudanese nationality off the coast of Libya on Oct 19, 2026. They were pulled aboard from a rubber boat and transported to the vessel's port of destination on its deck.

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.

The Visemar (Visentini)-owned 'Ciudad de Valencia' left Campamento on Oct 14, 2026, enroute to Klaipeda for a charter to DFDS with an ETA as of Oct 21. has spent the past few weeks at a shipyard in Algeciras. The operator announced in April that the chartered RoPax would increase capacity, particularly for passengers, on its Karlshamn–Klaipeda route by replacing the 'Optima Seaways', which has only around a third of passenger capacity. The difference in freight capacity was less, with 2,566 lane metres compared with 2,300. Since its delivery, the 'Ciudad de Valencia' has been chartered to Trasmediterránea, which has become part of Baleària. It will be the newest Visentini version operated by DFDS. The 1999-built 'Optima Seaways' represented the first egeneration of Visentini vessels.