After almost two years, the wreck of the 'Nordland III#, which had been moored on the banks of the Ryck River in Greifswald, near the Bodden Bay, was being demolished with a CAT excavator with a sorting grapple. The scrap was separated on site. The ship had sunk in October 2023 in a severe storm, which swept across the Baltic Sea due to a failure of the bilge pumps following a lack of power. Two cranes lifted the wreck ashore in November to prevent danger on the federal waterway. After the sinking, a legal dispute ensued over responsibility for the ship. The owner remained unknown. Proceedings followed before the Administrative Court and the Higher Administrative Court. In July, the city of Greifswald announced that, following the proceedings before the Greifswald Higher Administrative Court (OVG), the State Office for Agriculture and the Environment of Western Pomerania (StALU) had initially declared itself responsible for dismantling the shipwreck. It also stated that the work should be completed by October 15, 2025. Report with photos and video: https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/greifswald/bagger-reisst-schiff-unweit-der-ostsee-auseinander-3918842
News
GOKOVA B
On Sep 10, 2025, the 'Gokova B' was detained in Dalian by the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). An initial inspection was conducted on the ship. The inspection revelaed a total of 18 deficiencies, nine of which were being regarded as serious and grounds for a detention. The ship, which had arrived in the port, en route from Kaoshiung, on Sep 9, shifted to the anchorage on Sep 12 and moored in pos. 38° 54' N 121° 57' E, where it remained stationary as of Sep 15.
CARTHAGE
The 'Carthage' was detained in Genoa on Sep 10, 2025, after its arrival from Marseille, by the Paris MoU authorities. An expanded inspection revealed 25 deficiencies, six of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention. The ship was released again on Sep 13 and berthed in the port of Tunis on Sep 14.
LYNX
The 'Lynx' has been forced to wait several days due to ice conditions before proceeding along Russia’s Northern Sea Route. The tanker, which was transporting around a million barrels of oil from Murmansk to China, came to a stop at 72° northern latitude in the High Arctic on Sep 6, 2025. Its exact destination remained unknown. The vessel was one of several oil tankers without ice protection shuttling Moscow’s crude to buyers in China via the Arctic. The vessel encountered late-season sea ice highlighting the navigational challenges for ships without ice protection in Arctic waters. After several days, the tanker started proceeding at a very slow speeds in close proximity to the shoreline to find a route through the ice. The vessel does not hold a mandatory Arctic shipping permit, and Russian authorities did not list it in their daily logs of active traffic on the route, an increasingly common practice to obscure sanction-busting shipping activity. The 'Lyn' has been sanctioned by the US, UK, EU and others for violating the G7 oil price cap and engaging in irregular high-risk shipping practices. Already start of September, the LNG carrier 'Arctic Metagaz' was delayed in the area around Pevek for more than a week. Neither vessel had arranged for icebreaker escorts ahead of time as would have been required by navigational rules. Non ice-class vessels are not permitted to operate independently even in light ice conditions, according to the rules set by the Northern Sea Route administration. Both vessels finally were able to proceed only with the assistance of nuclear icebreakers operating in the area. Another LNG carrier, the 'La Perouse', also without ice-class, turned around in the waters off Western Siberia and chose to instead take the long way around Africa. The shortage of ice-class vessels has forced it to increasingly use ships without protection and stretching navigational rules.
SALVAMAR SPICA
The Salvamar Spica rescued 17 migrants from an inflatable boat 15 nautical miles eastsoutheast of Mesa Roldán on Sep 12. They were subsequently transferred to the port of Almería. The SAR boat 'Salvamar Draco' rescued 20 migrants from another inflatable boat, which had been sighted by the Guardia Civil 22 nautical miles southeast of Cartagena. They were subsequently taken to this port and taken care of by shore based services.
JUAN DE LA COSA
The 'Juan de la Cosa' responded to the distress call of the French sailing yacht 'Sanafo' in the Bay of Biscay on Sep 12,, 2025. The boat was taken in tow and pulled to safety amid stormy weather. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1966399657258660310
ADMIRAL DE RIBAS
On the morning of Sep 12, 2025, the Port Authority of Paleochora was informed by the JRCC of the Greek Coast Guard, that the 'Admiral de Ribas', en route from Damietta, had recovered 59 migrants south of Gavdos. The cargo ship proceeded towards the port of Tigani, Paleochora, from where the migrants were transferred to a patrol boat of the Greek Coast Guard- and safely transported to the port of Tigani. They were then taken to a temporary accommodation facility in Agia Chania. A preliminary investigation was being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Chania.
MECHANIC STEPANOV
The 'Mechanic Stepanov', enroute from the Russian port of St. Petersburg to Malokurilskoye with an ETA as of Oct 13, suffered a power failure and was anchored in Danish waters south of Amager on the evening of Sep 13, 2025. A NATO warship sailing under the British flag, a Danish military vessel and a Swedish police vessel were deployed to the area on the afternoon of Sep 14. The Swedish Coast Guard was supposed to handle the situation as the power failure had occurred in the Kattegat in Swedish waters, before the vessel ended up in Danish waters. The Danish Defence was monitoring the movements of the Russian ship, which heaved anchor again on the afternoon. The 'Mechanic Stepanov' was just completed at the Otradnoye Shipyard on the Neva River, and it received its RS class certification on Sep 4. No problems were identified in inspections and sea trials, and the vessel was cleared to depart for the voyage to its home port in the Kuril Islands. The crab vessel transited westbound through the Baltic Sea and then suffered a blackout due to a mechanical casualty. The ship was adrift in a busy shipping lane at the entrance to the Øresund for an extended period before going to anchor. Report with photo: https://www.soefart.dk/article/view/1183352/russisk_skib_sejler_igen_efter_problemer_i_dansk_farvand
SUMMIT XIAMEN
The 'Summit Xiamen' was detained in Ambarli on Sep 9, 2025. by the Med MoU authorities. A detailed inspection revealed a total of 11 deficiencies, two of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention. The inspections covered areas such as the accommodation, galley, engine room, navigation bridge, and steering room, alongside operational tests on the emergency fire pump and generator. On Sep 12, the ship shifted from Istanbul waters to Diliskilesi and proceeded towards Izmir on Sep 14.
NIKI
On Sep 11, 2025, at approximately 6:18 a.m., the 'Niki', after spending the night in the Porticello harbour, ran onto the Formica rocks, which are rising from a depth of over 50 meters to just below the surface, 18 minutes after sailing towards the port of Ténès with eight crew members on board and a cargo of farmed sea bream. The maritime authorities deployed patrol boats which responded to assist the crew and check for any leaks of pollutants. There were serious concerns about the likely damage caused to the exposed rock, which is home to highly valuable marine flora and fauna, as well as being of notable archaeological interest and a destination for underwater exploration enthusiasts. Firefighters drained the water which had entered the ship through two leaks. The tug 'Sea Dream' and other vessels along with firefighters, a shore support team, a nautical unit, and divers were engaged in rescue operations and in efforts to keep the vessel afloat. On the afternoon of Sep 13, Coast Guard patrol boats intervened with sirens blaring to evacuate the vessel and get everyone to leave. However, the ship remained afloat. Reports with photos: https://www-himeralive-it.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.himeralive.it/porticello-cargo-greco-incagliato-sulla-secca-della-formica-operazioni-di-recupero-in-corso-foto/amp/?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_ct=1757880292123&_tf=Von%20%251%24s&aoh=17578799426447&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.himeralive.it%2Fporticello-cargo-greco-incagliato-sulla-secca-della-formica-operazioni-di-recupero-in-corso-foto%2F https://www.rainews.it/tgr/sicilia/articoli/2025/09/porticello-peschereccio-incagliato-allaltezza-dello-scoglio-formica-1f6d8afd-cb61-4b3d-a020-1b0a05632fb2.html https://newsicilia.it/palermo/cronaca/ancora-incagliato-il-peschereccio-finito-contro-gli-scogli-nel-palermitano/1035222/ https://qds.it/cargo-greco-niki-pericolo-naufragio-imminente-secca-formica/ https://itacanotizie.it/qds/cargo-greco-niki-pericolo-naufragio-imminente-secca-formica/
LOCH DUNVEGAN
The 'Loch Dunvegan', serving on the route Colintraive-Rhubodach, suffered a technical issue with the fast rescue craft on Sep 13, 2025. As a consequence, the service had to be suspended, and the ship was sidelined in Colintraive for troubleshooting, After the issue has been successfully resolved, the ferry resumed its schedule with the 1:00 p.m. sailing from Colintraive.
EXPLORA
The 'OGS Explora', sailing 15 nautical miles south of the port of Huelva, requested urgent medical evacuation of a sick crew member on Sep 13, 2025. After a consultation with the Radiomedical Center, the RCC of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the lifeboat 'Salvamar Vela' to assist. It medevaced the patient and transported him to the port of Mazagón, where am ambulance was waiting for the further transfer to a hospital for medical care.
SALVAMAR LEO
On the night of Sep 12, a patrol boat of the Guardia Civil sighted a patera eight nautical miles from Benidorm and started escorting it. The RCC of Salvamento Marítimo in Valencia mobilized the Salvamar Leo' to assist, which headed to the position and rescued the 17 people who were on board. The migrants were safely disembarked in the port of Alicante. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1966866532715425903
G ATLANTIC
On Sep 13, 2025, at noon , the Port Authorities of Agia Galini, Kala Limeni, Kokkinos Pyrgos, Paleochora and Chora Sfakion were informed by the Greek Coast Guard of a boat with 59 migrants on board 30 nautical miles southeast of Gavdos. They were picked up by the 'G Atlantic', which diverted from its course from Jiangyin to Monfalcone, and subsequently approached the Messara Bay, where, the migrants were transferred to a lifeboat of the Coastguard. They were safely transported to the port of Agia Galini and then taken by bus to a shelter in Rethymno. The Rethymno Port Authority, which was conducting the preliminary investigation, arrested a 17-year-old and a 29-year-old man of Egyptian nationalsrty as human traffickers, in violation of article 83 of Law 3386/2005 (Illegal entry into the country), article 25 of Law 5038/2023 (Facilitation) and article 306 of the Criminal Code (Exposure) and article 45 of the Criminal Code (Abetment). The boat had set off in the evening hours of Sep 10 from a beach in Tobruk. The migrants had paid amounts of money ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 euros for their transport to Greece. The bulk carrier continued on its voyage with an ETA as of Sep 16.
FJORDTIND
The 'Fjordtind', serving on the route Bodø-Gildeskål, suffered technical problems on Sep 14. The scheduled sailing from Bodø at 09.20 a.m. Fleinvær-SørArnøy-Våg-Inndyr-Bodø had to be cancelled. Travellers from Sør-Arnøy at 10.30 a,m, to Bodø were transported by the ferry 'Elsa Laula Renberg' of Nex1. The 'Fjordtind' resumed operatin on the afternoon with optional additional calls to Mevær, Sørvær; Bodø, Sør-Arnøy, Våg and Inndyr.
ASSOS
On Sep 11, 2025, the 'Assos' was detained inthe port of Qinzhou by the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) authorities. An initial inspection revealed eight deficiencies, two of which being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention. The bulk carrier had arrived en route from Paranagua on Sep 10. It was released again on Sep 14 and left the port en route to Singapore with an ETA as of Sep 19.
ARCTIC METAGAZ
The 'Arctic Metagas', a tanker without ice protection, had to reverse its course and remained stopped near the edge of the sea ice on the Northern Sea Route. The vessel’s struggles highlighted the challenges for non ice-class vessels in Arctic shipping, even during the summer months. The 'Arctic Metagaz' is part of Russia’s expanding shadow fleet of LNG carriers in service of the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project. The tanker idled in the East Siberian Sea around 48 hours after it reversed course. The vessel was passing through patches of remaining summer sea ice following in proximity to the nuclear icebreaker 'Sibir' on Aug 29 when it began backtracking her initial course just after midnight UTC. The vessel had departed from the port of Murmansk around Aug 19, carrying sanctioned supercooled gas in search of buyers in Asia. From Aug 29 to Aug 3, the tanker was backtracking and idling at a speed of zero knots at the edge of the sea ice. The 'Sibir' has been working for several weeks in the East Siberian Sea in an effort to open up shipping lanes through persistent summer sea ice along the Northern Sea Route. Russian ice charts were showing considerable ice coverage in the waters near Pevek, ranging from 10 to 60 %, including grounded hummocks. The summer season 2025 was the second year in a row when sea ice blocked the eastern reaches of the route even during late summer.
SALVAMAR DRACO
The SAR boat 'Salvamar Spica rescued 17 migrants from an inflatable boat 15 nautical miles eastsoutheast of Mesa Roldán on Sep 12. They were subsequently transferred to the port of Almería. The 'Salvamar Draco' rescued 20 migrants from another inflatable boat, which had been sighted by the Guardia Civil 22 nautical miles southeast of Cartagena. They were subsequently taken to this port and taken care of by shore based services.
EXPLORA
The 'OGS Explora' has been idled at Durban Dry Dock since Feb 17, 2021. Her last voyage departed from Italy on Nov 28, 2020 en route to Réunion for a survey in the South Indian Ocean. She developed engine problems and called into Port Louis on Jan 16 for sludge discharge and repairs. She sailed again on Jan 23, but her engine problems became so severe that she was forced to receive assistance and head to Durban, where she arrived off the port on Feb 14. In 2019 her owners, OGS, had already communicated to EMB that the 'OGS Explora' would be decommissioned in 2020. Delays in her final voyages due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that she was still operating into 2021, and this may well be her final voyage. The costs associated with main engine repairs or even replacement, to a ship already slated for retirement may mean that Durban is the last port call for the ship before a decision is taken for her to be towed away to a breaker's yard. Report with photos: https://africaports.co.za/#3408
PALOMA
The Las Palmas Maritime Captaincy issued a detention order against the 'Paloma', which had sailed from Las Palmas on Sep 1, 2025, for not delivering maintenance and cleaning waste. The vessel continued and was detained in Cartagena on Sep 10 and moored in pos. 37° 33' N 001° 04' W, where it remained stationary as of Sep 15. Report with photos: https://x.com/transportesgob/status/1967147558167343400