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The 'Kapitan Sokolov' is among the sanctioned fishing vessels of the Russian commercial fleet, being suspected of involvement in subsea surveillance activity in the Barents and Norwegian Seas, a continuation of a long tradition of spy trawlers dating back to Soviet days. Given current tensions over the ongoing war in Ukraine, European and Scandinavian leaders now are treating these vessels with suspicion. In May 2025, the European Union sanctioned two Russian fishery companies, the Norebo JSC and Murman Seafood, alleging that they were playing a role in a state-sponsored surveillance and intelligence campaign aimed at Europe's critical underwater infrastructure, including "activities that can facilitate future sabotage operations. Two months later, Norway's government has decided to follow the EU's lead, and it listed both companies, stating on Juily 2025, that such activity may facilitate future sabotage operations and threaten important Norwegian security policy interests The listing denies port access to vessels operated by Norebo and Murman, which together account for most of the Russian fishing fleet in the region. It also prohibits them from holding fishing licenses in the Norwegian EEZ. Norebo, which is owned by a Russian oligarch who has personal and political ties to Vladimir Putin, has protested the decision, saying that the EU and Norwegian allegations were false. On July 29, Russia's foreign ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador and formally protested the "illegal restrictive measures" imposed. The letter of protest noted that Norway have a bilateral fishery treaty, active since 1976, that guarantees joint management of fish stocks in the Barents and Norwegian Seas. It warns that sanctions on Norebo and Murman could scuttle that longstanding deal.

The 'Isle of Mull', serving on the route Oban-Craignure, suffered a technical issue withthe port side main engine on the morning of July 30. The issue required further investigation at the quay in Oman, and as a consequence, the scheduled departure from the port at 07:25 was delayed. After repairs were successfully completed, the vessel started loading operations, but there may be a knock on delay to the sailings for the remainder of the day. Customers were advised, however, to check in as normal.

Ocean Residences, based in Malta, will have their residence ship called NJORD constructed by Meyer. The ship is to be 290 meters long and equipped with 118 apartments. An oceanographic and atmospheric laboratory with high-quality technical equipment is also to be set up on board the M / Y NJORD. These include drones and a telescope. Scientists and experts are supposed to collect data on environmental, marine and air conditions and create new maps of the ocean floor while traveling around the globe. All collected data should be made available to the general public. Ocean Residences originally planned to have this ship built by Brodosplit and the Norwegian Kleven shipyard Images: https://www.cruisedeck.de/meyer-werft-sichert-sich-neubau-auftrag-von-ocean-residences/

The Israel-Palestine conflict has crept into the maritime sector. The two Israeli ports Ashdod and Ashkelon had to be closed after rocket attacks on port infrastructure as well as other port complexes in the region. Vital Israeli port infrastructures in the Ashdod and Ashkelon area were hit in spite of the air defense system iron dome. The port of Ashdod siffered widespread damage. The cargo ships 'Mona' (IMO: 9101534) and 'Ahmet Onel' (IMO: 8420361), were nearly hit by rockets. In a separate incident, the military wing of Hamas - the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade - has declared that they have bombed an Israeli Gas Platform off Gaza, which has been continuing to burn ever since.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to terminate the lease of the 'Nathaniel B. Palmer' in the fiscal year 2026, according to the NSF’s budget request to Congress. The decision came as part of the agency’s efforts to prioritize support for the three year-round Antarctic stations—McMurdo, Amundsen-Scott South Pole, and Palmer—which the NSF operates on behalf of the U.S. government through the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). In response, more than 170 researchers have sent a letter to NSF leadership and Congress urging them to reconsider.

On July 29, the crew of the 'Salvamar Al Nair' has rescued 38 people aboard an inflatable boat, which had previously been located by the Sasemar 103 aircraft. The SAR boat transferred the migrants to Puerto del Rosario. The operation was coordinated from the CCS of Salvamento Marítimo in Las Palmas.

Gypsies from the poorest country in the EU - Bulgaria, have attempted to board unnamed motor vessel at Port of Burgas outer anchorage, Maritime.bg reported. The information has been confirmed by the authorities in the country. The regional governor of Burgas has appointed an urgent investigation into the so-called first piracy act in the Bulgaria's European waters. According to Maritime.bg, the attackers were not caught after their approach to the ship was detected by local services. An unknown number of gypsies are said to have sailed in a speedboat and had a ladder to board the unnamed motor vessel, under cover of the night ten days ago. A few years ago, the Libyan GNMT accused Bulgaria of supporting a "purely pirate act" when, under unknown and highly dubious circumstances, the company lost control of motor tanker BADR. The case unfolded again near Burgas. Report in Bulgarian: https://www.maritime.bg/75948-2/

On May 6, 2021, at 10 a.m. a trawler newbuilding caught fire in Thyborøn. The 'L 120-Linette' was ablaze at the shipyard quay. The fire brigade, police and the lifeboat 'Martha Lerche' of the DSRS were on site. Bundles of flames shot out of the ship, and there was heavy smoke development. The fire had started in the cargo hold when insulation material went alight. Not until May 7 at 2 a.m. the emergency services managed to extinguish the flames on the vessel. The temperatures inside the ship were extremely high. The construction of the trawler began in 2020. Alfred Fisker Hansen and Tommy Svart had ordered the trawler in Vestværft design. The hull was built in Poland and then towed to Thyborøn where it was completed at the Thyborøn Skibs & Motor. The completion in June should now be obsolete. The predecessor ship of the same name is to go to Sweden. The new building is 28.6 meters long and 8.7 meters wide with a planned crew of eight with one trainee. Report with photo and video: https://www.tvmidtvest.dk/lemvig/skib-i-flammer-paa-havnen-i-thyboroen-politiet-opfordrer-til-at-lukke-vinduer-og-doere

Due to the ongoing repair of the technical issue of the 'Argyll Flyer', normally serving on the route Gourock.Dunoon, in Greenock, the single vessel timetable remained in operation for the time being. .During the amended timetable, a shuttle bus operatde for these Mon - Sat sailings: Departure Gourock: 10:15 a.m. Departure Dunoon: 10.45 a.m.

The crew of the 'Salvamar Navia' was notified on the nightof July 29 by the CCS of Salvamento MArítimo in Tenerife, following an alert from the Guardia Civil about a cayuco, which had been located four nautical miles off La Restinga. The SAR boat located it and escorted the migrants to the dock in La Restinga, where the Health Services and State Security Forces were attending. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1950453457938186288

On June 8, 2021, the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION (IMO 9880685) was docked out at the Norwegian Ulstein shipyard. Full article + photo gallery: https://www.cruisedeck.de/national-geographic-resolution-ausgedockt/

on 01.05.21 J.Müller celebrate the 200th anniversary of the company German report: https://jmueller.jp-labs.de/jubilaeum/