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.
News
EL GAIA
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
ESPIRITO SANTO EXP
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.
OCEAN BREEZE
The 'Ocean Breeze', enroute from Emden, allided with the outer gate of the northern lock in Bremerhaven on Oct 8, 2026, at 2 a.m., while entering the port, despite assistance of tugs. It damaged the concrete wall at the outer lock gate and dislodged a concrete block measuring approximately two by three meters from its position in the wall of the lock. Because it protruded so far that it could not be ruled out that the lock gate was at risk, safety measures were immediately initiated, and the lock was temporarily shut down. The concrete block was then removed using a crane. Afterward, the Bremenports diving team was deployed. The divers recovered chunks of concrete and rock that had fallen into the water and could have hindered the opening and closing of the lock gate. The lock was put back into operation at 11 a.m. According to Bremenports, there was no major backlog of ships. The damage to the flood protection wall was to be repaired in the coming weeks. Bremenports started determining the exact amount of the material damage. Report with photo: https://www.butenunbinnen.de/nachrichten/autotransporter-rammt-nordschleuse-bremerhaven-100.html
EMMAKRIS III
On Dec 30, Russia launched waves of drones to attack port infrastructure and civilian ships in the Odesa region. The 'Emmakris III' and the bulk carrier 'Captain Karam' (IMO: 9303039) were attacked by Russian drones. The latter had entered a Ukrainian Black Sea port to load wheat. There was no information yet regarding any casualties. The authorities were investigating the incident and monitoring the situation closely. Russian troops struck the Black Sea ports of Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk and oil storage tanks were also hit, according to the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Odesa and the wider region nearby are home to the Black Sea ports that are crucial for Ukraine’s foreign trade and the survival of its wartime economy.
HONOUR 25
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.
EMMAKRIS III
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.
GEM NO.2
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.
AIDADIVA
The 'AIDAdiva', which has been on a 12-day "Canada & Indian Summer" voyage departing from New York on Oct 5, 2026, and departed from its final port of call, Baltimore, Maryland, on Oct 14 back to New York City, had a medical emergency on the night of Oct 15. After consulting with the relevant authorities on land, it was decided that a helicopter would be dispatched to retrieve the patient. Emergency medical evacuation at night off the coast of New Jersey At approximately 01:40 a.m. local time, the ship altered course toward the west, moving closer to the coast to meet the approaching helicopter. Around 03:00 a.m., off the coast of New Jersey near Long Beach Island, the patient was transferred to the helicopter crew and subsequently transported for medical care ashore. Following this, the ship resumed its course toward New York City and significantly increased its speed to ensure an on-time arrival; at times, the 'AIDAdiva' was traveling at over 21 knots.
AFRAMAX RIO
Smoke from the burning 'Aframax Rio' off the resort town of Soch petered out on Sep 7, less than 24 hours after the vessel was hit by one or more Ukrainian drones. The Russian Ministry of Transport allegedly brought the fire under control after an initial period of monitoring to allow the flames to subside. While Russia's public health ministry claimed that no pollution has been detected, burning petroleum on the water was visible. and nearby public beaches have been closed. The ship had taken on a list to starboard side and was drifting with the current up the coastline of the Lazarevsky District. The city's emergency response team was constantly monitoring the situation. Greenpeace warned that the attack on the laden tanker could lead to an unprecedented pollution of the Black Sea and the destruction of marine ecosystems, exceeding the scale of the last two substantial spills in the region, with the Russian oil posing direct threat to the people of Russia itself and to the environment of the entire Black Sea region. A spill of petroleum products has already created an oil slick of about 25 square kilometers in the area. According to the environmental organisation, the fire was most likely caused by burning bunker fuel rather than by the oil the tanker was transporting. Around midday on Oct 7, the tanker was near Lazarevskoye, about 50 kilometers from the site of the fire. By Oct 8, it was near Tuapse. The charred wreck was anchored with a list to starboard side and down by the stern near Novorossiysk. On Oct 12, residents complained of an oil pollution near Yuzhnaya Ozerovka. On Oct 13 workers started to remove the oil. The owner was advised to move the tanker to a safe anchorage off Novorossiysk until Oct 31, as the anchorage N415 was deemed unsafe. Tugs have to keep the wreck in position 24/7. Report with photo: https://theins.press/en/news/298132
K.P.P. 03
Beached at Chittagong 15.10.26 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122200579892471366&set=pcb.122200580132471366
MSC BALTIC III
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
ST3
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
RISING HARRIER
Beached at Alang 03.02.26 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10163600896360036&set=pcb.10167612249688943
OCEAN BREEZE
As the 'Ocean Breeze' was departing Bremerhaven on Oct 8, the vessel had to navigate through the connecting harbour towards the Kaiser Lock, as the North Lock was out of service. During this maneuver, the ship struck the passage between the North Harbour and the connecting harbour, which necessitated a temporary closure of that section. Subsequently, the ship was held in the Kaiser Lock, before being moved to Kaiserhafen 2 East for repairs. Finally, on Oct 10, the vessel departed, this time without any issues, next headed to Antwerp, where it arrived on Oct 12 and remained stationary as of Oct 16.
CHELSEA-3
Bulgaria has dispatched the tug 'Aliot' (MMSI: 214181606) in an effort to stop the drift of the 'Chelsea-3'. It has now entered the 12-mile zone east of Primorsk. The winds and heavy seas in the region were pushing the vessel toward the south. The tug was dispatched with the goal of towing the cargo ship to Burgas. However, it returned to port on the afternoon of Oct 16, reporting that the strong winds and deteriorating sea conditions had prevented it from securing the vessel and beginning the tow. Bulgarian officials said they would make another attempt when the weather conditions improved. Once the vessel has been brought into the anchorage at Burgas, they planned a thorough search of the vessel, looking for fragments of the drone that struck the ship to make a definitive identification.

