News

The 'Newnew Polar Bear', known for damaging the Balticconnector pipeline and communication cables in the Gulf of Finland, was the first Chinese container ship to arrive in the port of Arkhangelsk in 2025. It arrived on Aug 15 and delivered 497 containers, marking the start of the season under the expanded Arctic Express N1 service. The service connects the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo to Arkhangelsk, offering a shorter shipping option compared with the Suez Canal route. Arkhangelsk is a federally significant transport hub managed under Russian jurisdiction, handling container, general, and bulk cargo. The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is a Russian state-administered shipping lane that runs along the Arctic coast of Russia, from the Kara Sea to the Bering Strait. The route is regulated by Russian federal authorities, with access requiring official permits.

The 'Ventura' had to be evacuated after a man claimed to have an explosive device on Aug 9, 2025. Police were called to the Mayflower Cruise Ferry terminal in Southampton. A 200 metre cordon was put in place around the 'Ventura' and the terminal to allow specialist officers to search a lorry at the location. A man has been arrested on suspicion of communicating false information and a public order offence. Searches have concluded and no such device has been located. The forces of the Hampshire Police were stood down. Normal operations at the port were resumed. Report with photo: https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2025-08-09/cruise-ship-evacuated-after-suspicious-activity

Iraqi authorities have released the 'Liliana', which was intercepted on July 6 in Iraqi waters of the Arabian Gulf at a side-loading platform of Basra’s oil terminal. The tanker, carrying 93,000 tonnes of fuel oil, failed to present sufficient documentation for the oil at the time of inspection. Iraq’s port authorities had granted the crew 48 hours to provide the required paperwork. A court ordered the vessel’s release, ruling that no violations had been committed. The 'Liliana' has resumed its voyage in the Persian Gulf, en route to Khor Fakkan.

The Belgian Navy announced on Aug 13, 2025, that it was monitoring the activity of the Russian research vessel 'Admiral Vladimirskiy' (IMO: 4616431) in the North Sea due to suspicions that it may be mapping critical European infrastructure. The "Pollux" has been deployed to the "Admiral Vladimirsky", which located in the exclusive economic zone of Belgium.

The Älfred' was removed from service on July 6 for essential maintenance, and for this purpose the ship was sent to Ayr, where it berthed on July 7. The works were expected to take until July 25. The ferry 'Glen Sannox' will operate the route Troon-Brodick, and the 'Isle of Arran' will operate the Ardrossan-Brodick service during this period.