The 'Wan Hai 503' continued to be held in position outside the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through towing operations conducted by the 'Offshore Warrior' on July 4. The vessel was located in pos. 07° 45.83'N a074° 50.98' E with a course of 280° and an average speed of 1.0 knots. The condition of board remained under continuous monitoring. Visible light grey smoke persisted from Bay 29 to 35, indicating ongoing smouldering in cargo hold no. 4, which remained the primary zone of concern. Wind conditions have been fluctuating, with increased gusts observed during the day, exacerbating the smouldering fire and complicating localized firefighting efforts. Despite attempts, Pyrocool application was aborted due to high winds and unstable deck conditions, making precise deployment unsafe and ineffective at sea. Dewatering operations in the engine room were temporarily halted due to malfunction of the power pack essential for pump operations. Repairs ertr underway to restore continuous dewatering. Notably, the stern draft has increased, suggesting successful prior dewatering, though updated soundings ertr awaited. Recent temperature surveys indicatef elevated readings in cargo hold no. 4, peaking at approximately 92°C, while temperatures in hold no. 5 have shown slight reduction, though residual heat persists due to the compartment being sealed with CO₂. Meanwhile, the 'Saksham' has returned to Kochi Port for crew rotation and equipment adjustments. The 'Water Lily' was engaged in personnel and equipment transfers between the 'Offshore Warrior', 'Wan Hai 503' and other support units. The 'Advantis Virgo' remained on standby for firefighting operations and carries approximately 11,000 litres of Pyrocool onboard. An additional 15,000 litres of Pyrocool were scheduled to arrive in Singapore, with contingency plans for airlifting to India, subject to Port of Refuge outcomes. The 'SCI Panna' continued to provide fire watch and boundary cooling assistance as required. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has emphasized the need for effective localized cooling and access to sheltered waters to allow for safer and comprehensive fire suppression. The primary threat stems from smouldering in cargo hold no. 4, exacerbated by strong winds, damaged deck infrastructure, and inaccessible zones. With on-deck Pyrocool application restricted by sea conditions, comprehensive firefighting remains dependent on securing Port of Refuge access or reaching a more sheltered area. Dewatering of the engine room remains a priority, with planned resumption once power pack repairs are completed. Tunnel connections between cargo hold no. 3 and the engine room remained a possible ingress point for water, complicating stability efforts. Full structural assessments, especially of ballast and bunker tanks, were pending. The Indian Coast Guard has recommended repositioning the vessel approximately 200 nautical miles (Lat. 04°43'N, Long. 077°03'E) southeast to the India–Sri Lanka–Maldives tri-junction, balancing safety, operational flexibility, and minimizing regional environmental risk. Final clearance for Port of Refuge is awaited, with Wan Hai Lines actively engaging in documentation and negotiations. On July 5, visible black smoke continued to emit from the casualty, though onboard temperature readings reflected gradual improvement in affected areas, but residual heat within cargo holds persistted, particularly in Hold No. 4. Isolated flare-ups and intermittent smoke are anticipated to recur, attributed to the nature of the residual cargo smouldering within enclosed spaces. The salvage team currently consists of five firefighters and five salvors. Dewatering efforts have successfully reduced engine room water levels to approximately two meters, though additional pumping was ongoing to identify and control the ingress source, was is suspected to be linked to previous firefighting water runoff. The hydraulic Power Pack, which encountered debris-related malfunctioning, has been restored, with one hydraulic pump and one electric pump operational for dewatering. The vessel's name and flag markings remained visible, and the general structural condition was reported stable at this stage. Firefighting and boundary cooling operations were being undertaken by the 'SCI Panna' and 'Advantis Virgo'. The teams onboard these vessels were maintaining fire suppression efforts as required, with an emphasis on controlling temperature escalation and preventing fire spread. The overall fire remained localized and is assessed to be under control; however, elevated temperatures within Hold No. 4 and inaccessible areas limited further inspection and tank soundings. The portside forward area remained unsafe for entry until further cooling was achieved. Small flare-ups, smoke, and high heat in isolated compartments continued to present operational constraints. Divers were on standby but are not being deployed inside the engine room at present due to concerns over water contamination from unknown cargo residues. Controlled dewatering were to proceed to lower water levels sufficiently for inspection without necessitating diver entry. The situation demanded operational patience, with timelines contingent on prevailing fire conditions and vessel stabilization. Efforts were being made to maintain the current position, balancing logistical access, safety, and proximity to support assets. Port of Refuge discussions remained active and the vessel remained within logistical support range of Kochi, facilitating continued resupply and operational support. Stakeholders have been urged to prioritize securing the forward forecastle area, completing towline replacement, conducting bunker tank soundings, and ensuring structural and environmental safety before any further relocation or port entry is executed.
News
VILAMOURA
An external explosive device most likely caused the blast that damaged the 'Vilamoura' off the Libyan coast, the vessel’s Greece-based operator TMS Tankers said on July 6, citing an initial investigation. The tanker had left the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27 headef to Gibraltar with one million barrels of oil when there was an explosion in the engine room. "Preliminary investigation findings clearly indicate that the explosion, the resulting fracture of the side shell plating, and the flooding of the engine room were caused by an external source —an unidentified explosive device,” TMS Tankers said.
WAN HAI 503
Towing operations of the 'Wan Hai 503' were temporarily suspended after a fresh fire broke out on board. The blaze was detected again on July 4 , and as of July 5 morning, operations remained on hold. This has left the ship’s relocation to the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka uncertain until the fire is fully extinguished. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is now considering moving the ship to a port in an African country. With the help of the tug 'Advantis Virgo’, about 12,000 litres of a chemical mixture have already been used to douse the fire. Around 3,000 litres of the mixture remained. Authorities are trying to procure additional chemical supplies from Singapore, if necessary. The Directorate General of Shipping has identified undeclared goods in 243 containers and suspected this may be the reason for the recurring fires despite intensified rescue efforts The 'Wan Hai 503' was positioned 3.5 nautical miles south of the 200-nautical mile boundary.
ARMOISE
On the night of July 3 and on July 4, numerous migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez. First, at 3:00 a.m., the departure of a boat was reported to the CROSS in the Dunkirkarea. TheCROSS engaged the 'Abeille Normandie 'to monitor the boat. Once on site, the tug launched its RIB to monitor the boat during a migrant boarding phase near the coast. The tug then reported that seven people on board were requesting assistance, rescued them and took them on board. At 3:30 a.m., a boat was reported departing from the Dunkirk Canal des Dunes in Dunkirk. The CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the "Armoise" to monitor the boat. At 9:00 a.m., the 'Armoise' reported having rescued all 60 people on board. All the people disembarked at the Paul Devot quay and were taken care of by the emergency services on shore. At 5:00 a.m., another boat was spotted off Hardelot. The CROSS Griz-Nez engaged the patrol boat PSP 'Pluvier' to monitor it. Once on site, the 'Pluvier' lunched its operational patrol boat (EDO) to maintain contact with the boat. The 'Pluvier' reported having rescued one person who had fallen overboard. The person was in good health and did not require medical assistance. In the early afternoon, the boat was disembarked at the Saint-Paul quay in Calais and taken into care by rescue services on land. Late in the morning, a boat was reported off the Walde lighthouse in Calais. The CROSS engaged the lifeboat from the Calais SNSM station, the 'SNS 067 – "Mona Rigolet' to monitor the boat. Once on site, the 'SNS 067 'alerted that the boat was damaged and sinking, and began the rescue of all 81 people. At 1:00 p.m., all rescued people were disembarked in Calais and taken into care by government services on land. In total, 149 people were rescued and taken into care by government resources.
SALVAMAR DRACO
The Salvamar Draco rescued the 30 North African occupants, among them one woman and two minors, of a rubber dinghy located 39 nautical miles from Cartagena on the early morning of July 4. They have been taken to the port. The GNV fery 'rCristal' had raised the alert. The response was coordinated by tthe CS Cartagena of Salvamento Marítimo.
SAMUS SWAN
A Danish court has found that although the master of the 'Samus Swan' acted with negligence in an anchor-dragging incident that severed a subsea power cable, the shipping company’s liability is limited. The case, which dates to Feb 26, 2022, comes as the issue of anchor dragging and intent and awareness of the situation has been raised after similar incidents in the Baltic that are under legal review. The island of Bornholm was plunged into darkness with the Swedish energy company Energinet quickly determining that one of its undersea power cables had been severely damaged. Power was restored within a few hours with a reserve generation station on the island while it would take over a month to repair the cable. The 'Samus Swan' was quickly identified as the likely cause of the power failure. Tracking showed the vessel had been in the channel offshore but initially denied responsibility. The Danish shipping company Uni-Tankers, which operates the vessel, later admitted responsibility but said it was an accident due in part to heavy weather. Energinet sued in 2023 reporting that it had cost the company nearly $8 million to repair the cable. The process took until March 2022, with the company reporting more than 2.5 miles of cable had to be replaced. The judges on Denmark’s Maritime and Commercial Court issued a ruling on July 4, 2025, finding that while they agreed the captain showed negligence, they did not believe it rose to the level of gross negligence because there was no knowledge of the likelihood of damage to the cable. The crew did not recognize that the anchor had dropped. When the vessel started to lose speed, the captain focused on the engines. Two of the experts on the panel believed the captain’s behaviour was negligent, while a third said it was gross negligence. The court’s decision permits Uni-Tanker to limit the level of liability to a maximum of approximately $4.3 million (DKK 27.2 million). Energinet had been suing for approximately $6 million (DKK 38 million) and was saddened by the decision, reviewing the verdict and by law, and has the right to appeal to the High Court.
JEAN RIBAULT
An investigation by Florida's Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) found out that the allision of the 'Jean Ribault' with a boardomg ramp, as it was about to depart from Mayport Landing.on May 4, 2025, at 6.30 p.m. LT, was the result of human error. No faults or malfunctions were found in the engines and electronic systems on the ferry in the aftermath of the accident. The vessel was then taken off operations, resulting in a temporary suspension of the St Johns River Ferry service.The JTA said it reopened the service on June 13, two weeks ahead of schedule and after the US Coast Guard inspected the ferry and cleared it to resume operational sailings. The investigation revealed that the captain had attempted to adjust the throttle on one of the ferry's two engines. The captain claimed that the throttle yielded no response to his input even after moving it back and forth. He then adjusted the other engine's throttle to see whether it was also unresponsive, and this action resulted in a reduction in power for that engine. The reduction in power in one engine meant that the counterforce to the propulsion generated by the engine on the opposite end of the ferry was also reduced. The vessel then headed in the opposite direction and ended up striking the ramp. The captain claimed he had previously encountered issues with the ferry's throttle but that the vessel itself was still able to operate on its assigned route,.
GALAXY LEADER
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) launched a series of extensive airstrikes on Houthi-controlled targets across Yemen overnight between July 6 and 7. The military targeted key Houthi military assets at the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant. Among the targets was the 'Galaxy Leader'. The vessel’s 25 crew, including 17 Filipinos, 2 Mexicans, 2 Bulgarians, 3 Ukrainians, and 1 Romanian, were held hostage for over a year before being released on Jan 22. The Houthis had installed a radar system on the 'Galaxy Leader', anchored at Ras Isa. The vessel was being used to monitor maritime activity in international waters and support operational planning for terrorist activities. There has been no immediate information available on casualties or the extent of damage caused by the airstrikes.
SIERRA
The "Sierra," which since its delivery sailed for 13 years as the "Suvorovsky Prospect" for the Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot. However, this changed with Russia's attack on Ukraine. As a result of the EU investigation, the "Suvorovsky Prospect" became the 64th ship on the EU sanctions list in December 2024. For camouflage purposes, the "Suvorovsky Prospect" was renamed "Sierra." The new owner was a company in Dubai. At the same time, a "flag hopping" began. First, the ship went from Liberia to Gabon, then on to Barbados, and finally, via the African island republic of Sao Tome and Principe, to Malawi in June 2025. The new home port is Monkey Bay on Lake Malawi. However, no one knows who the real owner is. The question of insurance in the event of a shipwreck remains equally open. On July 3, 2025, the "Sierra" left the Baltic Sea with its "fake flag" after loading in Ust-Luga, Russia – unchallenged by German and Danish authorities. The crew listed Port Said as its destination. Meanwhile, Malawi is also alarmed. "The Government of the Republic of Malawi would like to clarify that Malawi does not currently have an international shipping registry. Therefore, these vessels are fraudulently registered," wrote David Mzandu, the country's Minister of Transport and Public Works. The country protested the use of its flag at the UN. The "Sierra" was able to leave the Baltic Sea unchallenged under a "false flag." Although the "Sierra" is now listed in international databases as a "false flag" ship, it was able to leave the Baltic Sea unchallenged on Friday with approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil.
THERESA LIMA
Two crew members became unwell on board the 'Theresa Lima' in the Petroleum Port in Rotterdam on July 5, 2025. The men were working in the hold. It was possible that they became unwell due to carbon monoxide. The ship was carrying coconut oil. A trauma helicopter, four ambulances, the port authority and the fire brigade were called. One of the victims was conscious, the other was unconscious. Both were given oxygen on board. The conscious victim was able to get down the gangway and off the ship himself, the other victim was taken off the ship unconscious on a stretcher. Both were taken to hospital. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/07/05/twee-bemanningsleden-onwel-op-schip-theresa-lima-traumaheli-opgeroepen/
ABEILLE NORMANDIE
On the night of July 3 and on July 4, numerous migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez. First, at 3:00 a.m., the departure of a boat was reported to the CROSS in the Dunkirkarea. TheCROSS engaged the 'Abeille Normandie 'to monitor the boat. Once on site, the tug launched its RIB to monitor the boat during a migrant boarding phase near the coast. The tug then reported that seven people on board were requesting assistance, rescued them and took them on board. At 3:30 a.m., a boat was reported departing from the Dunkirk Canal des Dunes in Dunkirk. The CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the patrol boat "Armoise" to monitor the boat. At 9:00 a.m., the 'Armoise' reported having rescued all 60 people on board. All the people disembarked at the Paul Devot quay and were taken care of by the emergency services on shore. At 5:00 a.m., another boat was spotted off Hardelot. The CROSS Griz-Nez engaged the patrol boat PSP 'Pluvier' to monitor it. Once on site, the 'Pluvier' lunched its operational patrol boat (EDO) to maintain contact with the boat. The 'Pluvier' reported having rescued one person who had fallen overboard. The person was in good health and did not require medical assistance. In the early afternoon, the boat was disembarked at the Saint-Paul quay in Calais and taken into care by rescue services on land. Late in the morning, a boat was reported off the Walde lighthouse in Calais. The CROSS engaged the lifeboat from the Calais SNSM station, the 'NS 067 – "Mona Rigolet' to monitor the boat. Once on site, the 'SNS 067 'alerted that the boat was damaged and sinking, and began the rescue of all 81 people. At 1:00 p.m., all rescued people were disembarked in Calais and taken into care by government services on land. In total, 149 people were rescued and taken into care by government resources.
BOLETTE
On Jul 4, 2025, the medical evacuation of a crew member from the 'Bolette', which was sailing 22 nautical miles south of Almería, wa requested. . The CCS Almería of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR boat 'Salvamar Spica', which took the man off and transports the patient to the fishing port, where an ambulance was waiting.
SLOUG
On July 3, 2025, a major fire broke out aboard the decommissioned 'Sloug' during dismantling operations at the Simsekler Shipbreaking Yard in Aliağa . The blaze began at approximately 11:00 a.m. LT, prompting an immediate response from firefighting units. The local fire department dispatched fire trucks and six fire fighting tugs to contain the fire and cool the hull. The tugs sprayed water and foam onto the ship to control The partially dismantled tanker was evacuated without injury, but due to concerns, other parts of the yard were also evacuated as the black smoke billowed from the hulk. As a precautionary measure, operations at several nearby construction sites were suspended. Strong winds in the area have complicated firefighting efforts. Extinguishing the blaze may take several days. The tanker was converted into a floating storage unit off Libya in 1989. In 2017, it was decommissioned after being in poor condition with potential structural damage. A Turkish firm later acquired it for dismantling, but the tanker first arrived in Egypt, where environmental protests forced its departure. It finally docked in Türkiye in February 2023, where additional demonstrations followed. Environmental groups alleged the ship was used to store hazardous waste, claiming it carried up to 6,000 tons of chemical residue. Recyclers disputed these claims, insisting it was not an oil storage vessel. The environmental group has now called for an immediate investigation and demanded the suspension of all work at the site until the vessel is declared environmentally safe. Report with video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-fire-breakouts-on-controversial-tanker-at-turkish-scrapyard
TUNU PRATAMA JAYA
More than 300 rescuers resumed the search for survivors of the 'Tunu Pratama Jaya' on July 4 at 8 a.m. Significant resources were deployed to conduct sea and air searches, which have been expanded along the coasts of East Java and West Bali. The operations were coordinated by the Surabaya Search and Rescue Agency. The Ketapang Beach on Java Island was to be searched from north to south. The same applied to Gilimanuk in the far northwest of Bali. By midday however, rescuers had not located any new survivors or victims. As the weather was rainy and cloudy, with waves reaching up to 1.3 meters, a helicopter, two SAR vessels, and four rigid inflatable boats were deployed. Other vessels could potentially participate in the search. A three-year-old boy, the sixth victim, was found dead on the evening of July 3. Waves of 2.5 meters height, accompanied by "strong winds and a strong currents, had initially hampered the rescue operations. According to the ship's manifest, 53 passengers and 12 crew members were on board, but it is not uncommon in Indonesia for the actual number of passengers to differ from the official list. Maritime accidents occur regularly in Indonesia, a vast archipelago of about 17,000 islands, partly due to lax safety standards. The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) started an investigation into the accident on July 4. One of the initial steps taken was to collect various video recordings circulating on social media that captured the moments when the ship was sinking. The agency will trace the history and issuance process of the sailing permit to determine whether all seaworthiness requirements were met. The Indonesian government formally handed over the bodies of six victims to their relatives on the evening of July 3. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi offered prayers for the deceased and families who lost their loved ones as he handed over the coffins to the mourners for burial. The deceased, identified as Eko Sastriyo, Elok Rumantini, Cahyani, Fitri April Lestari, Afnan A. Mustafa, and Anang Suryono, were residents of Banyuwangi District, East Java. During the handover, Purwagandhi was accompanied by East Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Nanang Avianto and the National SAR Agency (Basarnas) Deputy for SAR Operation and Preparedness Ribut Eko Suyanto.
HARMONY OF THE SEAS
A few days after some minor electrical issues caused a firewall to go down, the 'Harmony of the Seas' began having power outages. The power began shutting off in different parts of the ship in the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, prompting the captain to begin making emergency announcements about the situation, which was described as safe, while the crew was currently working on restoring all electrical systems for the propulsion. The ship was sailing at 10 knots due to the reduced propulsion with only one propeller working, and was still heading safely to its next destination. The captain incessantly apologized for making the announcement at such a late hour, but with over 8,000 people on the ship between the crew and passengers, they all deserved to know what was going on. The continuous announcements made roughly between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. During the night, technicians were able to restore most of the power, and in the time since have brought all systems back to being fully operational.The incident occurred while the vessel was underway from Cozumel to Galveston, Texas, where it disembarked guests on July 5.The 6-night itinerary also included stops in Costa Maya in Mexico as well as Roatan Island in Honduras. Due to the propulsion issues caused by the power outage, embarkation for the July 5 voyage out of Galveston on tje 'Harmony of the Seas' was been delayed by one hour.
TUNU PRATAMA JAYA
The National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) interrupted the search for 29 people still missing amid worsening weather and low visibility that hampered rescue operations on the evening of July 4. The visibility dropped to just three kilometers due to heavy fog and waves reaching 2.5 meters. The operation, which had resumed earlier that morning with 160 personnel, three helicopters, thermal drones, and 20 vessels, was resumed the next morning. The KMP 'Tunu Pratama Jaya', carrying 53 passengers and 12 crew members, sank only 30 minutes into its short 5-kilometer journey between Ketapang in East Java and Gilimanuk, after rough seas rocked it, causing heavy vehicles to shift and capsize the ferry.. Many onboard were unable to reach life jackets in time. Sx deaths had been confirmed, and 30 people rescued, including a male passenger who initially went unreported after returning home without notifying authorities. At the Jembrana Regional Hospital, survivors were treated. Authorities are investigating the cause of the sinking. Some survivors suggested a possible leak in the engine room, while others pointed to extreme weather and strong currents. The ferry was carrying 22 vehicles, including 14 trucks.
MONA RIGOLET
On the night of July 3 and on July 4, numerous migrant boat departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez. First, at 3:00 a.m., the departure of a boat was reported to the CROSS in the Dunkirkarea. TheCROSS engaged the 'Abeille Normandie 'to monitor the boat. Once on site, the tug launched its RIB to monitor the boat during a migrant boarding phase near the coast. The tug then reported that seven people on board were requesting assistance, rescued them and took them on board. At 3:30 a.m., a boat was reported departing from the Dunkirk Canal des Dunes in Dunkirk. The CROSS Gris-Nez engaged the "Armoise" to monitor the boat. At 9:00 a.m., the 'Armoise' reported having rescued all 60 people on board. All the people disembarked at the Paul Devot quay and were taken care of by the emergency services on shore. At 5:00 a.m., another boat was spotted off Hardelot. The CROSS Griz-Nez engaged the patrol boat PSP 'Pluvier' to monitor it. Once on site, the 'Pluvier' lunched its operational patrol boat (EDO) to maintain contact with the boat. The 'Pluvier' reported having rescued one person who had fallen overboard. The person was in good health and did not require medical assistance. In the early afternoon, the boat was disembarked at the Saint-Paul quay in Calais and taken into care by rescue services on land. Late in the morning, a boat was reported off the Walde lighthouse in Calais. The CROSS engaged the lifeboat from the Calais SNSM station, the 'SNS 067 – "Mona Rigolet' to monitor the boat. Once on site, the 'SNS 067 'alerted that the boat was damaged and sinking, and began the rescue of all 81 people. At 1:00 p.m., all rescued people were disembarked in Calais and taken into care by government services on land. In total, 149 people were rescued and taken into care by government resources.
LOCH DUNVEGAN
The 'Loch Dunvegan', serrving on the route Colintraive-Rhubodach, suffered a technical issue with the ramp on July 4, 2025. As a consequence, the service had to be suspended. Afer the issue has been resolved, the service was operating as normal.
NEWNEW POLAR BEAR
On July 4, 2025, the Chinese master of the ''NewNew Polar Bear' made his first appearance in a Hong Kong Court after being charged by the Chinese maritime authority with having caused criminal damage, after the vessel was determined to have dragged its anchor across a natural gas pipeline and communication cables in the Baltic. Again, at issue is the intent or if it was reckless behavior that caused the damage. The Finish authorities have been investigating the case of the 'NewNew Polar Bear' and others in the Baltic but have yet to reach a decision if they will file charges. The utility companies Fingrid and Elering initially detained the shadow fleet tanker 'Eagle S' in the most recent incident but released the vessel while seeking compensation in the courts. The Finish prosecutors have been reviewing the details of the 'Eagle S' case, while the captain and the first and second officers of the tanker remained under suspicion and have been ordered not to leave Finland. A decision to prosecute is expected by September.