More than 1000 tons fuel aboard the 'MSC Baltic III' has been removed from the vessel. The heavy fuel oil was transferred to a barge, which was brouhgt alongside amid calmer summer weather, and then transported to the Port of Corner Brook for disposal. The ship had an etimated 1,600 tonnes of fuel oil aboard when it grounded, and the pollution prevention effort has reduced environmental risk for Newfoundland's pristine coastline significantly now. There were six priority tanks filled with heavy fuel on board that was almost all removed, but there were still other hydrocarbons on board, as there were many more tanks with different fuels in them, like diesel and hydraulics a.o., though in a lot less quantities, and they will require less heating as well. There may be one additional tank containing heavy fuel in the engine room, but a smaller one than the six main tanks. Removing the oil takes time because it has to be heated between 70 C and 80 C so it can be pumped out, which can be hard to achieve with short windows of opportunity to safely board the vessel. 208 of the 472 containers were also removed as pf July 10, as some were blocking access to the fuel tank. including some that were in extremely damaged condition. The operation to mitigate pollution risk from the cargo and fuel oil continued. The vessel remained wedged firmly on the rock, its hull seriously damaged from its time aground. A refloating attempt was considered impossible in its current condition. For now, the salvors hoped that the good weather would hold long enough to complete the lightering process before the hurricane season raises the risk again. The environmental monitoring persisted in the surrounding waters and shoreline. Observers continued to report minor oil pollution, including tar stains and small tar balls, particularly around Cedar Cove and nearby coastal areas. The authorities reminded the public of an emergency and drone restriction zone extending one nautical mile around the MSC Baltic III. This no-access zone is critical to ensure the safety of salvage crews and protect the public as operations were continued. Reports with photos: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/baltic-july-3-update-1.7575988 https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2179275/msc-baltic-3-echoue-carburant-pompage-terre-neuve https://safety4sea.com/authorities-continue-salvage-of-container-ship-five-months-later/ https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/grounded-nl-cargo-ship-salvage-nears-milestone
News
SPANACO PROGRESS
On July 14, 2025, at around 11 p.m. UTC, the 'Spanaco Progress', en route from Tarragona to Kocaeli, suffered an engine failure off the Gallipoli coast during the transit of the Dardanelles Strait (Lat. 40.4085 Lng. 26.7232)(. The two tugs 'Kurtarma 3' (IMO:: 9335939) and 'Kurtarma 19' (IMO: 9995129) as well as a pilot were immediately called to assist. The 'Kurtarma 19' took the ship in tow at around 11.40 p.m. and pulled it to the Şevketiye Anchorage Area at a speed of about four knots under the coordination of the Çanakkale Ship Traffic Services Center. The ship was moored in pos. 40° 25' N 026° 50' E on July 15 atr around 1 a.m., where it remained stationary as of July 16. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1945009907377349048
TROLLFJORD
On July 14, 2025, the 'Trolljord' suffered engine proplems while sailing in the Hjørund Fjord with 401 passengers and 99 crew members on board. The ship had lost 50 % of its engine power. The NSSR-lifeboat 'Det Norske Veritas II' was called toi assisti the ship and escorted it towards back to the port of Ålesund. which it had left at around 5.45 a.m. UTC en route to Bergen. The ferries between Solvågen and Festøya have also been assisting. The 'Trollfjord' was safely berthed at around 7 p.m. and remained stationary in the port as of July 16. Video: https://x.com/i/status/1944800244400574745
VOLGO BALT 106
On July 14, 2025, at around 8.45 p.m. LT, the 'Volgo Balt 106' ran aground on the Sheksna River at river kilometre 534 near the industrial port in the Vologda Region, while operating on the Nizhny Novgorod–Cherepovets route. No spills nor injuries were reported. Efforts were commenced to refloat the vessel with the assistance of a pusher tug. An investigation has been launched by Russia’s North-West Transport Prosecutor’s office in order to determine the cause of the incident. The Vologda Transport Prosecutor’s Office conducted an inspection to assess compliance with maritime safety regulations. Report with photos: https://flagman-news.ru/news/cudohodctvo/_v_vologodckoi_oblacti_cel_na_mel_cuhogruz_shedshii_iz_nizhnego_novgoroda.html
PLS 602
The Greek Coast Guard was alerted on the afternoon of July 14, 2025, sgzrt a Portuguese FRONTEX vessel sank off Anaxos in Lesvos, after hitting a rock, next to the islet of Agios Georgios, Prtras, which resulted in the rupture of the keel and water ingress. The FRONTEX vessel sank at approximately 6 p.m. The acciident had happened during an SAR operation for four of 40 migrants who were on board a boat in which they had crossed to the Lapsarna area of Lesvos enroute..The group had crossed from Çanakkale, Turkey, and reported that four fellows went missing after their boat collided with a merchant ship in Turkish waters, and had not reached the shore. The migrants were taken to the Kara Tepe “Mavrovouni” reception center on Lesvos. The 'PÖS 602' and a Super Puma Air Force helicopter immediately rushed to the scene to participate in the operation to locate and rescue the occupants. Also a fishing vessel and two excursion boats went to the scene. The occupants of the FRONTEX vessel were located on an inflatable life raft and were pciked up by the 'PLS 602' in good health. They were safely transported to the port of Molyvos. Among them were five Portuguese and one Greek national, The Portuguese FRONTEX vessel phad articipated in the “Poseidon – Thalassa” operation, which concerns the assistance in guarding the maritime borders of the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel was small, with a polyester base and inflatable side balloons. A preliminary investigation was conducted by the Central Port Authority of Mytilene and the Mithymna Port Station. Reports with photo and video: https://blueskytv.gr/2025/07/%CF%83%CE%BA%CE%AC%CF%86%CE%BF%CF%82-%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%82-frontex-%CE%BC%CE%B5-%CE%AD%CE%BE%CE%B9-%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CE%B2%CE%B1%CE%AF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%82-%CE%B2%CF%85%CE%B8%CE%AF%CF%83/ https://hellasjournal.com/2025/07/vythisi-skafous-tis-frontex-anoichta-tis-anaxou-sti-lesvo-prosekrouse-se-xera-sooi-oi-exi-epivainontes/ https://www.fanpage.gr/media/lesvos-vythisi-skafoys-tis-frontex-anoichta-tis-anaxoy-sooi-oi-exi-epivainontes/