News

The sailboat 'Mayavi' was disabled and arifted on the early morning of May 18, in the Strait of Gibraltar after a fishing net had got caught in its propeller.The 'Salvamar Enif' was mobilized to assist by the CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Maritimo. It took the yacht in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Barbate.

A total of 26 North African migrants, 25 men and one woman, were rescued on May 18 by the 'Salvamar Spica' approximately 74 kilometers off the coast of Cabo de Gata (Almería). At around 10:10 a.m., the Almería coordination center of Salvamento Marítimo received a warning from a Frontex aircraft alerting them to the presence of this precarious vessel. Controllers contacted the vessels in the area, after which the s/y 'Crystal Eyes' (MMSI: 235023502) diverted and confirmed the presence of the boat. Meanwhile, the Frontex aircraft continued flying over the area to update the vessel's position. Finally, at around 2:30 p.m., the "Salvamar Spica" picked up the occupants of the boat and transported them to the port of Almería, where they arrived at around 5:30 p.m.

With the successful start an important milestone has been reached in the execution of the contract to operate the tugboat fleet for Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) in Port Hedland, the world’s largest bulk export port on Australia´s west coast. The fleet consists of eight new ART 85-32W and one RT80-32 Rotortugs®. Six of them are Fortescue owned, three are owned by KOTUG, which are chartered directly to Fortescue. KOTUG manages the entire contract.

The Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran is going to sign a contract with the private sector on Tuesday for the construction of Iran’s biggest mechanized mineral terminal at Shahid Rajaee Port, the deputy head of PMO announced on Monday. Ali Hassanzadeh added that the contract is worth 50 trillion rials (over $430 million). The terminal’s capacity will reach 50 million tons per year upon the completion of the project, which will be carried out in three phases, covering 180 hectares of land, each spread over 60 hectares. It will be the biggest mineral terminal in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, and mark a major development in Iran’s mining industry, considering its considerable mineral capacity, Mehr News Agency reported.

On May 16, the Spanish flagged fishing vessel 'El Ponce' caught fire near Almerimar with three crew members on board. The fishermen were rescued by another fishing vessel, the 'Matillas VI', and taken to the marina. The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the 'Salvamar Spica', which has confirmed the sinking of the vessel and reported that therewere no signs of pollution in the area. Also the SAR helicopter Helimer 215, operated by Avincis, responded to the scene. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1923400277035557116

Russia has detained the 'Green Admire' on May 18, 2025, after it left Sillamae port on May 17 at 6.40 pü.m. GMT, using a designated navigation channel that crosses Russian territorial waters. The navigation channel out of Sillamae through Russian territorial waters has been set up under an agreement between Estonia, Finland and Russia to avoid shallows in the Estonian waters. The Estonian foreign Minister Margus Tsahknaalerted NATO allies to the incident, as the incident showed that Russia continues to behave unpredictably. After the detention, the AIS signal showed obvious signs of spoofing, as is common in this region: On the afternoon of May 18 the tanker was anchored near Russia’s Hogland island in pos. 60° 02' N 027° 03' E. The ship was bound for Rotterdam with a load of Estonia’s shale oil. Vessels sailing into and out of the port of Sillamae will now be guided through Estonian territorial waters.

Gas infrastructure along Russia’s Northern Sea Route is set to get a Japanese upgrade with news Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have signed a cooperation agreement with Novatek to develop LNG transhipment projects in Kamchatka and Murmansk. The projects will construct floating storage units (FSUs) to tranship LNG cargoes from ice-breaking LNG ships to conventional LNG ships. The FSUs will be located in Kamchatka and in Murmansk and will be used for the transhipment of LNG cargoes produced by Novatek’s Yamal LNG Project and Arctic LNG 2 Project, two of the largest gas developments in the world.

Port of Antwerp has ordered construction of a tug powered by hydrogen, the first in the world. This unique “Hydrotug” is driven by combustion engines that burn hydrogen in combination with diesel. The motors also comply with the very strictest standard, the EU Stage V, making them the lowest-rated for emissions on the market. This ultra-low-emission tug is being built by Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), a pioneer in the field of hydrogen power for shipping. With this world first Antwerp is making an important step in the transition to a sustainable, CO2-neutral port. By lending support to this promising technology Port of Antwerp hopes that the shipping industry will follow. The port is systematically pursuing a policy of making its entire fleet eco-friendly by incorporating the most environment-friendly technologies available on the market.

Beached at Chittagong 18.05.25

The 'Charles D. Mcallister' was the assistance tug during the unmooring manover of the Mexican STS 'Cuauhtémoc' on May 27, 2025, befire it allided with the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River, close to the Manhattan side of the span, which connects the borough with Brooklyn. Two of the 277 people on board the STS died and others remained in critical condition. The tall sghip had departed from New York City’s South Street Seaport, with assistance of the tug, but no line connection. When it was taken towards the bridge, the tug steamed nearby, without being able to intervene further before the allision.

The Chinese Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) sees its order intake for ro-pax ferries further increase following a long-awaited double order from P&O Ferries for a next-generation of Dover-Calais shuttle ferries.

Calgary based Melius Energy has successfully transported bitumen from Edmonton, Alberta to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, continuing to global markets in custom 20-foot shipping containers utilizing intermodal rail and vessel infrastructure. The shipment is the company’s first BitCrude™ transportation process demonstration, proving the ability to move bitumen safely and efficiently, in adherence to Canada’s regulatory framework.